Capital Area Pickleball Association
Serving Dane County Wisconsin

A “volley” in pickleball is a shot you hit out of the air before it bounces. As a refresher, remember that according to the Pickleball Official Rulebook, it is illegal to hit a volley while in the kitchen, and you also cannot end up in the kitchen as a result of your momentum from hitting a volley outside the kitchen. Also remember that the kitchen line is part of the kitchen, so make sure that when you are hitting volleys, you are standing behind the kitchen line.

Having said all that, let’s discuss some tips to help you hit more effective volleys:

•         Stand as close as possible to the kitchen line (without actually touching or crossing it) when hitting volleys to be as aggressive and put as much pressure on your opponents as you can.
•         Make sure to wait for volleys in “ready position.” There are differing opinions about what constitutes ready position. Some players prefer to hold their paddle in front of them in a neutral position, straight out and on edge. Others prefer to hold their paddle out in front of the middle of their stomach/chest area in a backhand default position, with their paddle perpendicular to the ground. Still other players prefer a paddle position that is somewhere in between these two positions. Just be sure to choose a consistent paddle position that entails having your paddle out in front of your body in a way that ensures you will be ready for any type of volley that comes your way!
•         Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. This keeps you balanced, but not so balanced that you don’t want to move, if necessary!
•         Keep your shoulders square with the net and keep your chest facing the net. Don’t turn to the side when hitting volleys.
•         Keep your knees slightly bent. This has many consequences, not the least of which is that it takes strain off your back. Another interesting consequence of doing this is that even low volleys seem popped up, so you will want to be more aggressive when hitting them!
•         Hit volleys from the shoulders/biceps, which are more powerful, instead of the forearms and wrists, which are weaker.
•         Do not take a big backswing before hitting a volley.
•          Be sure to hit the ball out in front of you. This will ensure you have more power and control over your shots.
•         Use a continental grip. The continental grip was called the “hammer grip” for many years, because it entails holding your paddle as if you were gripping a hammer. Holding your paddle in this manner ensures you will have the same amount of wrist strength for both forehands and backhands.
•         Use a firm grip for hitting hard, deep volleys, and a lighter, looser grip for hitting softer volleys. Mix up how hard your hit your volleys to keep your opponents guessing (and running)!
•         Keep your bodyweight on the balls of your feet.
•         Keep your feet still while hitting your volleys. This will give you a solid base of support to hit from.
•         If you need to move to get to a ball before hitting it, side shuffle laterally on the front balls of your feet.
•         Place your volleys with intention! Aim them at your opponents’ feet, your opponents’ backhands, in between them, and also consider using angles.
•         Remember to hit out and down, not just down, so as to avoid hitting volleys into the net.
•         Practice hitting volleys against a wall when you are not playing games. This will improve your reaction time.

Happy pickling!

A 60,000-square-foot indoor pickleball facility with 17 courts, including a stadium court, as well as a bar and grill, will be opening in late January 2025 in Menomonee Falls, WI. Their address will be N58 W14900 Shawn Circle, Menomonee Falls, WI, 53051. It will be a franchise location of Pickleball Kingdom, which opened its first location in Chandler, Arizona, in May 2022, according to its website. The Menomonee Falls location will welcome both pickleball enthusiasts as well as rank beginners who are looking to learn how to play for the first time. This facility will also contain a pro shop selling Prolite paddles and will also have showers and locker rooms. Memberships and daily fees will be available, although pricing has not yet been announced. For more information, visit pickleballkingdom.com or look up Pickleball Kingdom Menomonee Falls on Facebook.

As a side note, on the Pickleball Kingdom website, they mention that a franchise location will be coming to Madison, WI, but address, contact, and courts information is all “TBD.” I signed up to receive updates, and I will post more information on Pickleblog when I know more, so stay tuned!

Did you know there are official rules in the 2024 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook about what constitutes appropriate pickleball attire?

The first rule you should be aware of relates to the prohibition on wearing clothing that closely matches the color of the pickleball itself. According to Section 1 of the Official Rulebook, “Players [should] avoid wearing clothing that closely matches the ball color.” This is to ensure a sense of fair play and to maintain the game’s underlying principles of fun and good-natured competition.

Most pickleballs, especially those used in tournaments, are bright yellow or neon green, but you will also see pickleballs now used in recreational play that are bright pink, orange, and blue, so when shopping for pickleball attire or deciding what to wear for a game, it would be best to avoid those colors. Instead, you should opt to wear contrasting colors that will make you stand out from the ball. If you’re sporting neon yellow or lime green, for example, you will have a high likelihood of blending in with the ball, causing confusion and potentially missed shots for your opponents.

You should also be aware of Rule 2.G.2., which provides that “Graphics, insignias, pictures, and writing on apparel must be in good taste.” This rule generally prohibits wearing clothing that could be offensive to others.

When it comes to shoes, they must comply with the above rules, and in addition, Rule 2.G.3. requires that they “not mark or damage the court’s playing surface.”

The clothing rules discussed above apply to both tournament and recreational play. During tournament play, Rule 2.G.1. states that “A player may be required to change apparel that is inappropriate, including that which approximates the color of the ball.” Rule 2.G.4. further provides that “The Tournament Director has the authority to enforce apparel changes. If the Tournament Director enforces an apparel change, it will be a non-chargeable time-out. If the player refuses to comply with the apparel rules, the Tournament Director may declare a forfeit of the match.”

And now that you know a little bit more about appropriate court attire, happy pickling!

Windsor now has seven new indoor pickleball courts as part of its Windsor Athletic Club, which just opened on October 1, 2024! The address of the facility is 4638 Golf Drive, Windsor, WI, 53598, and it is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The pickleball courts are on wooden floors that are also marked for basketball, volleyball, and badminton. The gym’s website is https://www.windsorathleticclub.com/. The Pickleball section of the website informs us that court rental costs are as follows:

•         Members - $60/hour; $95/1.5 hours
•         Non-members – call (608) 254-9489 for pricing
•        League information coming soon!

More information is available on their website.

Tomorrow is Tuesday, November 5, 2024, and in case you did not already know, that means it is election day in America! Our two leading presidential candidates are Kamala Harris, running on the Democratic ticket, and Donald Trump, running as the Republican nominee. This blog post is only intended in fun and to let you know where both candidates stand on one issue – pickleball!

The good news is that you cannot go wrong either way with whichever candidate you vote for if you are a single-issue voter and your one issue happens to be pickleball, because they both support it!

Trump recently installed four permanent, dedicated pickleball courts at his Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, for example. He did also want to build some pickleball courts at his Doonbeg Resort in Ireland, but construction has been delayed due to concerns over its potential impact on some protected snails.

In addition, Trump and his campaign have created a custom line of pickleball paddles and other gear for supporter-players across the country. In fact, you can buy a Trump Pickleball Set featuring two paddles with the name “TRUMP” written on them, along with a case and two balls here.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party and the Harris-Walz campaign have hosted several pop-up pickleball events over the last few months in various cities to also attract pickleball enthusiast-voters. In addition, Amazon is selling a “Pickleballers for Kamala” hoodie and T-Shirt.

Depending who wins the election, these pickleball items could make great Christmas gifts for  someone on your holiday list!

No matter which candidate you are supporting in tomorrow’s election, please be sure to vote!

Happy pickling!

There are two new indoor pickleball courts available to the public in Madison at a place called Ignite Pickleball on Madison’s West Side. The address is 7429 Mineral Point Rd, Madison, WI, 53719. During the week of October 28 – November 3, 2024, you can create an online account and reserve a court for free to try them out by going to https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Portal/index/13402. Their general website address is madisonignite.com. From looking at the website, the courts appear to have wooden floors that are dual-marked for volleyball and pickleball. It also appears that they make use of temporary pickleball nets (rather than permanent ones). More information about Ignite Pickleball is available on their website.

You might have wondered what makes an indoor pickleball different from an outdoor one. This blog post is here to provide some answers!

First, it is important to know that all pickleballs, whether they are designated as being “indoor” or “outdoor” pickleballs, must follow certain guidelines set out by USA Pickleball.

To be approved by USA Pickleball, pickleballs must meet the following parameters:

• Must be 2.87 - 2.97 inches in diameter
• Must weigh 0.78 - 0.935 ounces
• Must bounce 30 - 34 inches when dropped from a height of 78 inches
• Must have a minimum of 26 and a maximum of 40 holes
• Must have a uniform color and an untextured surface

While staying within the parameters mentioned above for legal balls, pickleball equipment companies have nonetheless implemented several noticeable and consistent differences in the design of balls that are used for indoor versus outdoor play. Some key differences between indoor and outdoor pickleballs include:

Number of Holes

Outdoor pickleballs usually have more holes, usually closer to the maximum of 40, while indoor balls tend to have fewer, usually between 26 and 30. Having more holes enables outdoor balls to adjust better to the wind, allowing for a more stable and accurate flight path. The additional holes provide outdoor pickleballs with a straighter trajectory, reducing the impact of wind gusts and crosswinds on your game.

Size of Holes

Indoor pickleballs have larger, wider holes compared to outdoor balls. This difference in hole size influences the feel of the ball, making indoor balls feel softer, slower, and easier to control than outdoor balls.

Weight

Indoor balls not only have larger holes but also tend to be made of softer plastic, which makes them lighter than their outdoor counterparts. The lightweight nature of indoor balls means that they tend to play slower, allowing players to execute more finessed, controlled shots.

Conversely, outdoor balls tend to be designed with harder, thicker plastic to withstand harsh, external weather conditions, such as wind and temperature fluctuations. The added weight of outdoor balls provides stability in windy conditions and also allows players to develop a faster, power game.

Hardness

Hardness is an important factor which influences the speed, bounce, and durability of pickleballs.

Outdoor pickleballs are typically thicker and harder than indoor balls, contributing to their faster play. Indoor balls, which are thinner, tend to bounce more because there is less weight keeping the ball down. While a bouncy ball is fine for indoor play, when outside, a bouncier ball will be more affected by weather.

Additionally, the harder materials of outdoor balls enables them to withstand the rigors of outdoor play, where rougher surfaces and unpredictable weather conditions are common. However, this added hardness can also make outdoor pickleballs more susceptible to cracking, as they possess fewer elastic properties compared to their indoor counterparts.

Indoor balls, with their softer construction, are less likely to crack but may not fare well if subjected to outdoor elements.

Conclusion

While you can use an indoor ball outdoors and vice versa, it's not advisable if you want to maximize your performance and enjoyment of the game. Instead, you should select a pickleball that is specifically designed for the type of play in which you plan to engage.

For indoor play, choose a pickleball with fewer, wider holes, lighter weight, and softer construction. These features will better enable you to execute precise shots and control the game with finesse.

Conversely, outdoor pickleballs, with their higher hole count, smaller holes, increased hardness, and heavier weight, are better able to handle the challenges of outdoor environments, such as wind and rough surfaces.

One thing to note, however, is that for the best experience, if you are going to be playing indoors on a tennis or pickleball hardcourt surface, then you should plan to play with an outdoor pickleball (since you are essentially playing on an outdoor surface indoors).

Happy pickling!

In pickleball, understanding the significance of positioning on the court is paramount to mastering the game. One key principle for success involves moving up to the kitchen line as soon as possible, rather than hanging back at the baseline. Let's explore why embracing this approach can elevate your gameplay and help you and your partner dominate the court.

The Non-Volley Zone line, or kitchen line, is the white line that is located 7 feet from the net on either side. The kitchen line marks a strategic zone that allows players to exert pressure on their opponents and maintain control of the game. Most points in pickleball are won at the kitchen line. This is the case for a few key reasons:

• Advancing to this area enables you to dictate the pace of play and take advantage of opportunities for aggressive shot placement. Making plays from the kitchen line leaves your opponents with less time to react to the next shot, since it places you closer to them. This in turn puts pressure on them, which makes it more likely that they will make errors.
• It is easier to hit down on the pickleball when you play at the kitchen line, thereby causing your opponents to make forced errors.
• Positioning yourself and your partner at the kitchen line limits the angles that your opponents have to hit shots. There are fewer openings and opportunities for your opponents to attack you and your partner. Being up at the kitchen line enables you and your partner to return more shots from your opponents.
• By being up at the kitchen line, you and your partner will have less distance to cover on your side of the pickleball court. You won’t have to run all over the court to track down your opponents’ shots, enabling you to use your energy more efficiently and effectively.

Playing from the baseline puts you and your partner at a disadvantage for a few reasons:

• You are generally forced to rely on defensive play, rather than being able to seize opportunities for offensive volleys and overheads.
• Because you are significantly farther back from the net (22 feet) than your opponents at the kitchen line (7 feet), your opponents will have more time to react, set up their shots, and control the points.
• Your shots will also be easier for your opponents to return and put away, since you will usually have to hit up on the ball.
• Because you and your partner are 22 feet back from the net, it will be relatively easy for your opponents to win points by hitting soft little drop shots over the net.

Having one partner who likes to play up at the kitchen line and one who stays back at the baseline may be the worst configuration of all, as it leads to wide open gaps on the court between the players and/or expanses of open court that are not covered by either player.

Teammates should always move together; both should be back at the baseline, both should be up at the kitchen line, and if one is pulled off the court, the other should move to the middle until the other player can come back onto the court to cover their half.

Having said that, if you have a choice between you and your partner playing back at the baseline or playing up at the kitchen line, the winning strategy is to both be playing up at the kitchen line whenever possible.

Happy pickling!

In pickleball, the serve is a fundamental aspect of gameplay and can set the tone for the entire match. Whether you are new to the sport or a seasoned player, refining your serving technique is crucial for gaining a competitive edge. Here are some tips that can help you serve more effectively:

• Serve deep (close to the baseline): A deep serve forces your opponent to hit their return from behind the baseline, making it more difficult for them to hit a deep, aggressive return. A shallow return makes it easier for you to control the third shot and gives you an easier opportunity to hit a drop shot, drive, or lob.
• Serve to your opponent's backhand: Most players have a weaker backhand, so serving to your opponent’s backhand will often result in a softer return, again making it easier for you to control the third shot.
• Mix it up: Sending a wide variety of different serves to your opponents can be an effective strategy, because it prevents them from being able to plan their return ahead of time. This means that you should send over some lob serves and some low, power serves; you should send many serves to your opponent’s backhand, but occasionally, also send some serves to their forehand. And, feel free to send over some flat serves, but some serves with spin as well!
• Keep your arm relaxed, and serve from your shoulder: Using a smooth, fluid swing will enable you to serve deeper and will make your serve more consistent.
• Hit the ball out in front of you when serving: This will give you more control and power.
• Practice: The more you practice serving, the more consistent your serve will become and the more alternative types of serves you will develop and hone.

Happy pickling!

Wondering where to play pickleball once the weather turns colder? Be sure to check out the Indoor Courts section of the CAPA website to find a list of local indoor pickleball facilities. One thing to note is that of all the courts that are listed there, only Pickle Pro Courts and Hitters offer dedicated pickleball courts. All the other facilities have multi-marked courts. And, not all of the courts at Hitters are dedicated pickleball courts. Some of their courts are multi-marked (with tennis lines).

Also, once you decide at which indoor facility you would like to play, you will want to visit their website as well as call them. It is possible that their website may not have the most updated information about current pricing for this fall/winter. Also, by calling, you can ask how it works to do open play or to reserve a court at the facility. At some locations, it is more cost effective to buy a membership, while at others, it is more advantageous to just purchase a punch card. You will also want to confirm the exact hours that pickleball is available this fall/winter, as hours may have changed since last year. Note also that some locations advertise their pickleball open play on playtimescheduler.com, while others just post the hours on their website. Some facilities are offering special promotions through the end of September before the cold weather sets in, so planning ahead for your fall and winter pickleball activities could quite literally pay off!

Happy pickling!