Capital Area Pickleball Association
Serving Dane County Wisconsin

Now that Spring seems to have sprung for real, more pickleball players are feeling the urge to hit the courts. Here are some tips to keep in mind to ensure that you remain safe and healthy this Pickleball Season:

1.       Warm-up and Stretch: Before jumping into the game, it’s essential to warm up your muscles and stretch. This helps reduce the risk of strains and sprains.

2.       Wear Proper Footwear: Opt for court shoes with excellent traction to minimize the risk of slips and falls. Avoid running shoes, as they may not provide the stability and lateral support needed for the game.

3.       Never run backwards: If you have to get a ball behind yourself, hop sideways, or turn and run, but never just run backwards! It is a recipe for tripping and getting a concussion.

4.       Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water before, during, and after playing pickleball. Staying hydrated helps regulate body temperature and reduces the risk of heat-related illnesses.

5.       Use Protective Gear: Consider wearing eye protection to avoid injuries caused by rogue balls, hands, or paddles. Players with knee, elbow, shoulder, or ankle issues may benefit from wearing braces or supports. Be sure to also wear sunglasses and sunscreen with adequate UV protection when out in the sunshine.

6.       Communicate Effectively: Good communication between players is essential for preventing collisions. Make sure to call out your shots and movements so your teammates know what to expect.

7.       Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Keep track of other players and spectators and be sure to clear away obstacles, such as extra balls, water bottles, towels, clothing, backpacks, etc. from the playing area.

8.       Maintain Proper Technique: Learn and practice proper pickleball techniques, including the appropriate grip and swing. Incorrect technique can lead to injuries over time.

9.       Listen to Your Body and Know Your Limitations: If you’re feeling pain or discomfort while playing, take a break, and consult with a medical professional if necessary. And, although it’s essential to challenge yourself on the court, avoid pushing too far beyond your limits. Incrementally increasing the intensity of your games can help reduce injury risks.

10.   Stay Consistent with Maintenance: Regularly inspect your pickleball equipment for signs of wear and tear. Replace worn or damaged items to ensure optimal performance and safety.

Incorporating these safety tips into your pickleball routine can significantly reduce your risk of injury and help ensure an enjoyable experience on the court.

Happy pickling!

In pickleball, a “banger” is someone who consistently hits balls really, really hard, and who generally likes to overpower his/her opponents on every point. Chances are that if you play enough pickleball, you will eventually encounter these type of player opponents on the court. They can seem intimidating, unless you know effective strategies for modifying game play to allow you and your partner to stay in control of each rally. Some of these strategies include:

1.       Return their serves deep to keep them back at the baseline as long as possible. Then, when they inevitably drive their return back at you or your partner, volley it back gently, just barely clearing the net and landing in the kitchen on the other side. This may win a point for your team, or it may result in them popping up the ball and allowing you or your partner to smash it back at them, or it may result in a dinking session (which they are unlikely to win, due to their likely inexperience with mid-game dinking).

2.       Hit third shot drops to them, attempting to draw them into dinking sessions (which again, they are likely unaccustomed to and are therefore, less likely to win).

3.       When returning volleys back to them, try to hold your paddle with a looser grip (perhaps 3 on a scale of 1-10, where 1 is loosest), so that if the ball is coming at you really hard, your volley return back will be soft and will result in the ball just barely clearing the net and landing in the kitchen on the other side.

4.       An alternative suggestion for returning volleys is to return firm volleys at one of the banger’s feet. This will force him onto his heels and into a defensive position. He won’t be able to step into the ball and swing with all his strength. He may either miss the ball entirely or pop the ball back up to you, allowing you to smash a return back at him.

To execute the firm volley, make sure you have a firm grip pressure on your paddle (perhaps 7 or 8 on a scale of 1-10, where 10 is firmest) and be sure to extend your arm during the volley.

5.       When serving to them, try to keep your serves to their backhands. Most people have less ability to drive their backhands than their forehands, so the ball is less likely to come back quite as hard.

6.       Be sure to adhere to the adage of “chest high, let it fly!” This means that if a ball is coming at you at your chest level or higher, it is likely to end up going out of bounds. Many times, bangers hit balls so hard, that they will end up going out of bounds if we would only let them go instead of trying to volley them back. Remember to let balls go if they are going to land “out.”

Ultimately, defeating bangers usually means letting them make the mistakes or drawing them into a soft game.

And if YOU are a banger, remember that pickleball is a game that requires the ability to hit both hard and soft shots; shots with drive, as well as those with finesse.

Pickleball is a game with many layers and many strategies, which is what makes it so fun!

Keep pickling!

Below is the current netted status of outdoor pickleball courts in the Madison Area that CAPA leadership is aware of. This information is current as of April 12, 2024:

• Bakken Park, Cottage Grove – nets are all up and lights are working
• Community Park, Cottage Grove – nets are all up and lights are working 
• Fireman's Park, Deforest - nets are all up and lights are working
• McGaw Park, Fitchburg - nets are up on all the courts
• Garner Park, Madison – nets are up on all the courts
• McFarland Park, McFarland – all nets are up
• Taylor Park, Middleton – all nets are up
• Winnequah Park, Monona - all 4 portable nets are out 
• Viking Park, Mt. Horeb - all 6 of the dedicated pickleball courts have nets up 
• Wyndham Hills Park, Sun Prairie – nets are up on all the courts, lights work from 5 a.m. - 7:15 a.m. and from 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. daily
• Haven Park, Sun Prairie – nets are up on all the courts
• Orfan Park, Sun Prairie – nets are up on all the courts
• Mandt Park, Stoughton – all nets are up
• Harriet Park, Verona – nets are up on all the courts
• Kilkenny Park, Waunakee - nets are up on all the courts
• Windsor Community Park, Windsor - nets are up on all the courts

If you know the netted status of other outdoor pickleball courts in the Greater Madison Area, please put that information in the comments or email me at akdarwin@gmail.com.

Is there a middle schooler or high schooler you know who would like to play pickleball this summer? From June 11-July 31, every Tuesday and Wednesday, from 6-7:30 pm, there will be youth pickleball happening at the Wyndham Hills Courts in Sun Prairie! Middle schoolers (6-8 grade) will play on Tuesdays, and high schoolers (9-12 grade) will play on Wednesdays! It will be a combination of skills and games. Prior racket sport experience is preferred but not required. Registration is free!

Registration opens April 9 for Sun Prairie residents and April 16 for non-residents. Parents and guardians can register their kids at https://rec.cityofsunprairie.com/CourseActivities.aspx?id=19 . Enter keyword "pickleball." Then hit "search."

Registration will be open for 25 players in each grade division. Then, each week, sign-up will happen through playtimescheduler.com or a similar method for 16 students in each grade division. The first 16 to sign up each week will be "in" for that week. It is possible that for the first 1-2 weeks, we will invite all registrants to show up for group lessons to make sure everyone knows the basic rules and skills of the game.

Happy pickling!

If you are playing pickleball outside in Madison, WI, on April 8, 2024, between the hours of 12:50 pm and 3:19 pm, you might notice that it will start to seemingly get kind of dark, almost like twilight, far too early. You may look at your watch and wonder if you need a new battery. Worry not, because I am about to explain to you what is going on – a solar eclipse!

That’s right! On April 8, 2024, the earth, moon and sun will be in just the right alignment such that the moon will be passing between the sun and the earth, casting a shadow on earth that will partially block the sun’s light in Madison. The eclipse will start at 12:50 pm, and the moon will reach maximum coverage of the sun at 2:05 pm. At that time, from our vantage point in Madison, approximately 86.9% of the sun will seem to be covered up. Very little light will shine around the moon. The eclipse will come to an end at 3:19 pm.

Some of you might be thinking: “Only 86.9% of the sun will be covered? Why bother going to look at something like that! I will just wait until Madison is in the path of complete totality of a solar eclipse so that 100% of the sun is covered up. Now THAT would be something worth seeing!” However, I would caution against waiting until the next total solar eclipse comes to town to go out and see it, because that won’t happen in Madison until September 14, 2099!

If you want to see the eclipse by staring directly at the sun, you will need to do so safely with some eclipse glasses. You can get a free pair at any of the Madison Public Library locations starting Tuesday, April 2, while supplies last.

If you would like more information about the upcoming eclipse, there will be a free talk at the Stoughton Public Library on April 2, at 6 pm. Registration is welcome but not required.

And, if you would like to attend a local viewing party (other than at the pickleball courts!) to see the eclipse with other revelers on April 8, here are some places where you can do so for free.

Happy pickling!

Whether you are new to pickleball, new to the Greater Madison Area (GMA), or just looking for ideas to expand your current set of playing venues and pickleball friends, here are some suggestions for how to find new or additional places to play in the GMA in 2024:

• Create a free account on Meetup.com and join the Madison Pickleball Meetup Group! The Meetup Group provides instruction for new players and offers various levels of open play for recreational players at different courts all over the GMA, usually for free!
• Create a free account on playtimescheduler.com! Then, in My Account, you can create a profile and indicate at which locations you would like to play. When someone (including you) sets up an organized play session at one of those locations for your skill level, you will be notified and can sign up. Almost all these play sessions are free, and if they are not, it will say so in the notes.
• Join the Capital Area Pickleball Association (CAPA) at capareapb.com. CAPA promotes and supports the game in the GMA and sponsors fun events, skills & drills, leagues, and tournaments for all levels. They also provide information about other local pickleball events and tournaments that may be of interest to players. It costs $15/year to join but is well worth it!
• Consult your community recreation department! Check the websites of your city, village, or school district under “Recreation” or a similar tab on their website to see if they offer classes, leagues, or open play. In Madison, go to mscr.org to add your name to the email list to receive a free course catalog the next time it comes out so you will know when to register for the next session of pickleball classes and open plays!
• Check out open play at a nearby court! To locate outdoor courts in the GMA, go to capareapb.com and click on “Where to Play”. Then visit some in person and look for the posted days and times for open plays. Open play information is usually posted near the main court entrance doors.
• Play at a local indoor commercial facility! To locate indoor courts in the GMA, go to capareapb.com and click on “Where to Play”. Local indoor facilities have fun activities, including open plays, leagues, and “King of the Court.” Most will usually also let you reserve a court of your own if you want to invite friends to play with you.

For some of the suggestions listed above, it will be necessary for you to have some idea of your ranking. You can rank yourself by going to the USA Pickleball website’s “Definitions of Player Skill Ratings” page and seeing where you think you best fit on the skills continuum. 

You should also be aware that here in Wisconsin, you will undoubtedly find many more opportunities to play pickleball, especially outdoors, during the warm weather months of April to September. 

Happy pickling! See you on the courts!

As many of you know, the city of Madison currently has only 6 dedicated pickleball courts, which are all located at Garner Park. There are many more tennis courts that are also lined for pickleball, but the only courts that are specifically designated just for pickleball are at Garner Park. That is not very many dedicated pickleball courts for a city that has a population of over 275,000 people!

So, I decided to email the Madison Parks Division and ask if they had any plans to build more dedicated pickleball courts in the city of Madison. On March 14, 2024, Ann Shea, Public Information Officer for the Parks Division, responded back that, “We do plan to build a new court complex at Warner Park in the next 2 to 3 years. Parks Planning & Development will reach out to [CAPA] as the process to develop begins.”

And, on March 18, 2024, Ann Freiwald, Planning and Development Manager for the Madison Parks Division, emailed me to say that in addition, "Old Timber Park will be getting a two court pickleball court soon (ish). Exact time frame is not known but I would say within the next two years, three at the most." I subsequently confirmed with her that these courts will also be dedicated pickleball courts. (If you are wondering where Old Timber Park is located, it is on Madison's far west side. The address is 10305 Hazy Sky Pkwy, Madison, WI, 53593.)

This is exciting news for pickleball players in and around Madison!

Pickleball is a fun and fast-paced sport that requires quick movements, sudden stops, and agile footwork. As with most sports, having the right footwear can significantly impact your performance and safety. In this blog post, we'll explore why wearing court shoes is important for pickleball players.

Enhanced Traction and Grip

Court shoes are specifically designed to provide excellent traction and grip on indoor and outdoor court surfaces. They have specialized rubber soles with intricate tread patterns that improve grip, allowing for better maneuverability, quicker starts and stops, and more stable footwork. This enhanced traction minimizes the risk of slipping or falling, reducing the likelihood of injuries.

Lateral Support and Stability

Pickleball requires a lot of side-to-side movements, which can put a significant strain on your ankles and feet. Court shoes are built to provide lateral support and stability, which helps to prevent ankle rolls and other injuries. The additional support also improves balance, allowing for more precise shots and better overall performance.

Comfort and Breathability

Court shoes are designed with breathable materials that allow air to circulate around your feet, keeping them cool and dry even during intense games. Additionally, they feature cushioned insoles and padded collars to provide comfort and support, reducing foot fatigue and allowing you to play for longer periods.

Injury Prevention

Perhaps the most crucial reason for wearing court shoes is injury prevention. The right shoes can minimize the impact on your joints, reduce stress on your feet, and decrease the risk of blisters, ankle sprains, and other injuries. By investing in high-quality court shoes, you're investing in your long-term health and pickleball career.

Conclusion

If you are an avid pickleball player, wearing court shoes is essential for optimal performance, safety, and enjoyment of the sport. So, if you're still playing in your running or cross-training shoes, it may be time to upgrade to a pair of court shoes!

Do you want to know your pickleball skill level? We will discuss a couple of the simplest and most common ways for you to do that.

USA Pickleball – Self-Rating

The easiest way is to self-rate yourself. You can do this by going to USA Pickleball’s website and looking up what players of different skill ratings from 1.0 – 5.5+ can and cannot do and figuring out where you fall on the continuum.

DUPR

Another easy and more accurate way to get a rating is to join Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR). You will definitely want to get a DUPR account if you intend to play on any leagues or in tournaments, since many are requiring that you have a DUPR account so that they can enter scores into the system. You can create a free DUPR account by going to myDUPR.com or by downloading the DUPR app onto your mobile device. Additional instructions are available below.

What is DUPR?

Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating is the most accurate and only global rating system in pickleball. All players, regardless of their age, gender, location, or skill are rated on the same scale between 2.00 - 8.00, based on their match results.

Who Can Have a DUPR Rating?

Anyone can have a DUPR rating! DUPR is free and strictly voluntary.

How Does a Player Get Rated on DUPR?

When a player first joins DUPR, it assumes the individual has a rating of 3.5. As that person plays more matches, their rating moves up or down, based on a complex algorithm that factors in things like wins, losses, the ratings of the opponents, and whether they won or lost games by the expected amount. As an individual plays more matches, their rating becomes more accurate. Any match can be recorded into DUPR, as long as all players agree that they want it to be recorded and someone in the group inputs the scores into the DUPR system.

To Sign Up for DUPR…

• Go to mydupr.com
• Check for your name under search players. If you are in the DUPR system, claim your account.
• If you are not already in the DUPR system, find and click “sign up.”
• Set up your account. It only takes a few minutes.
• Once you have an account, scroll down on your home page to My Clubs. Click and browse for CAPA DUPR Club. Click and join our club.

• Add the DUPR app to you cell phone, tablet, or computer.

How to Record Scores Into DUPR

Anybody can set up DUPR scoring matches. The key is that all players need to have DUPR accounts, and everyone must agree to have the match results recorded.

If a player doesn’t have a DUPR account, when recording scores, you can use the “add a player” feature to invite players to join DUPR. 

It’s easy to record matches. Click on “add a match,” and then enter players and scores. Then submit your entry. Your match will show up in your Match History.

Any DUPR player can enter scores of a match, but only matches that they played in. Once they do this, an email goes out to the opponents to validate that the information entered is correct. The match remains in “pending match results” until validation takes place.

That’s it! It’s that easy!

There are two kinds of serves in pickleball – the volley serve, which you hit out of the air, and the drop serve, which you hit after it bounces.

Drop Serve

If you want to use a drop serve, there are significantly fewer rules to follow. You mainly have to remember that you cannot add force to the bounce (you literally have to just drop it). You can drop it anywhere on the playing surface, whether in front of or behind the baseline. And you can hit it however you want.

Volley Serve

If you want to hit a volley serve instead, then there are three rules you have to follow:

• You must hit the ball with the paddle head below your wrist.
• You must make contact with the ball below your waist. (“Waist” used to be defined in the official Rulebook as the navel until 2020, but the rules are no longer that technical. So now, “waist” just refers to the general area where you bend.)
• You have to hit the ball with your arm making an upward arcing motion.

Where to Stand

When serving either a drop serve or a volley serve, you must stand behind the baseline, between the sideline and the centerline, on whatever side of the court you are serving from.

Where Must the Serve Land?

The serve must land in the service court that is diagonally opposite the server across the net. The serve may also land on any of the service court lines, including the centerline, the baseline or the sideline. The ball cannot, however, land in the kitchen or on the kitchen lines. If the ball hits the net and bounces into the correct service court, it is considered “good.”