There are many suppliers of paddles, balls and accessories. However, there are very few suppliers in Canada. Importing from the U.S. is an option but it can be costly and may take longer. Here are our suggestions for the best places to buy equipment. Some are conveniently close and others are not but offer better selection.
NOTE: Check our Discounts page before buying. Canadian Sources:
U.S Sources:
E. Rules
F. What's Legal - Paddles, Non-Volley Zone, Serve, Balls
G. Beginners - to understand the game, start with the videos in 1. to 4. below:
1. Part 1: Intro & Definitions click here
2. Part 2: Serving & Scoring click here for an alternative explanation of scoring click here 3. Part 3: Basic Rules & Gameplay click here
4. Everything You Need To Know About the Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen) click here
5. Top 10 Mistakes For Beginners click here
6. What Shoes Should I Buy (or Not Buy) For Pickleball click here
7. What Pickleball Paddle Should I Buy - this is covered in our lessons but for a great article click here. Be
sure to watch the video & follow the extra links 8. Line Calls - how to make correct line calls (determining if ball is in or out) click here https://youtu.be/rIqZCgR6_hQ 9. What's a paddle made out of : https://youtu.be/G6BzVEXBkwI or http://pickleballfire.com/2020/07/25/how-are-pickleball-paddles-made/ 10. How To Choose a Paddle That's Right for You https://youtu.be/R6vMj912Cqw11. What Shoes Should I Buy https://youtu.be/P0wFOk8FIyk UPDATE: Dedicated pickleball shoe now available - https://thevolleyllama.com/kswiss-express-light-review/ H. Instructional Resources
a)
b) STPC members may borrow any of the following resources from our club's resource collection
1. History of Pickleball - Book 2. The Art of Pickleball - Book
3. Smart Pickleball: The Pickleball Guru’s Guide - Book
4. Pickleball Zen: The Inner Game - Book
5. Mind Game: A Quantum Leap for Competitive Pickleball and Tennis - Book
6. Pickleball: Less is More - Book
7. At the Line: Pickleball - Book
8. USAPA Pickleball: 2018 Official Tournament Rulebook - Book
9. A Pickleball Playbook: A Guide for Instructors and Self-Instruction - Book
10. Pickleball 5.0 - Book
11. 20 Drills & Games to Play Better Pickleball - binder
12. Pickleball Clinics: Strategies & Techniques, by Coach Mo - DVD
13. Pickleball Clinics: Percentage Pickleball, with Coach Mo and Coach Matty - DVD
14. How to Play Pickleball: The Complete Guide from A to Z - book
I. Skills & Drills:
a) Learn The Proper Technique for Pickleball Shots - Watch these clips with a view to emulating the technique. Get your paddle
out at home & practice hit as you watch. If you have questions or need help feel free to ask at your next session. Ready Position - at the net https://youtu.be/hHR24Fa6lUY NOTE: Use the ready position anywhere on the court when waiting for a ball to be returned Serve - https://www.pickleballteachers.com/videos?category[]=Serve Return of Serve - https://www.pickleballteachers.com/videos?category[]=Return%20of%20Serve Third Shot Drop - https://www.pickleballteachers.com/videos?category[]=Third%20Shot%20Drop Overhead Smash - https://www.pickleballteachers.com/videos?category[]=Overhead+Smash Lobs - How to hit a lob: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUatethB8d8 How to return a lob: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5dUYHmg1Eg Volleys - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzalidF8KZU&list=PLDco1Ex21UXnXSCINo7PTpMqJMOpIv3-a Backhand - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19I7i93AuH8 OR https://youtu.be/kCHXClnyVH8 OR https://youtu.be/BhJ4lyU68bY OR https://youtu.be/kCHXClnyVH8 Strategy - https://www.pickleballteachers.com/videos?category[]=Strategy BONUS - How To Keep Score: http://www.pickleburg.com/info.php?pnum=20 b) Sample Drills: Note: Use these drills to improve your game. You can pick & choose from the list. To learn the proper execution of a particular shot refer to part a) above. Suggestions for new drills are welcome.
Serve & Return of Serve – 2 players, 1 ball, 2 teams/court. Hit serve & hit return of serve back. Catch the ball on the return of serve & repeat. Third Shot Drill – 2 players, 1 ball, 2 teams/court. Each team of 2 – feeder stays at NVZ line. Feeder throws or hits ball whichever works better. Partner hits drop shots into the NVZ Dinking – 2 players, 1 ball, 2 teams/court. Dink back & forth between partner. Ball must bounce in NVZ. Dinking – 4 players, 1 ball., 1 team/court. Dink the ball back and forth. Cannot dink two balls in a row to Overheads – 4 players as a team/court, 2 or more balls. 1 hitter, 1 feeder, 2 receivers. A (Hitter) stands about half way back _____________________________________________________________ C (Receiver in front of baseline) D (Receiver in front of baseline) B tosses high balls high to the hitter (A) & A alternates overhead smashes to C & D who stop balls Lobs a) 2 players, 1 ball, 2 teams/court. Feeder in no man’s land tosses or hits ball to hitter at the baseline. Hitter hits lob to opposite baseline. Try top spin lob (see internet clip in a) above. b) 2 players, 1 ball, 2 teams/court. 2 players at NVZ line start dinking the ball. After several dinks one Volleys a) 2 players, 1 ball, 2 teams/court. One player at NVZ line. Feeder is near baseline. Hit fairly hard balls b) 2 players, 1 ball, 2 teams/court. Mid-court volley & half volley. Play “war”. Easy at first and then Backhand & Forehand – 2 players, 1 ball, 2 teams/court. Play half court with partner. Practice forehands & backhands separately or mix the two together. Occasionally
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