March 2025 Habersham County Pickleball Club

GREETINGS PICKLE Y'ALLERS!

Welcome to Spring on the courts. We love the enthusiasm and joy this game brings to us all. Since playing alone isn't an option, we need others, and, surely, the sunshine will bring out more players. Participants at virtually any level, would love ALL games to be evenly matched and competitive. Despite reasonable efforts, this is not always possible. We all share these courts and want to create the most enjoyable experience for everyone. If you find yourself on either side of a mismatched game, a few suggestions are offered:

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If you are the higher skill player

TIP 1 Improve your weakest shots. Drop, reset and placement over power. Practice backhand roll to get your timing.

TIP 2 Refrain from blasting overheads even though you are likely to get multiple opportunities to do so. Striking firmly with intentional placement will give you the ability to put the ball where they have a chance to practice retrieving and returning.

TIP 3 Hit shots that are within their skill range but challenge the limits. An example is when playing against baseline "stay backers" keep leading them to the net with successive shots that force them forward. You practice precision while creating a behavior pattern for them to follow.

If you are the lower skill player

TIP 1 Be bold to learn. Hit to the stronger player on the other team. You will learn quicker and see the choices they make. If you avoid that player, they will lose interest, and you miss an opportunity to see if your new shot will work against them.

TIP 2 Focus on fundamentals, watch the ball until it leaves your paddle after contact. That focus will determine your accuracy and placement.

TIP 3 Know your geography. If you don't know where you are on the court (NVL, baseline, midcourt, sideline) you will hit a lot of out balls.

TIP 4 You have a partner. Know where they are and communicate.

TIP 5 Have fun and compete. Enjoy your successes not their failures. They may be trying a shot for the first time. If you forget this piece, please refer to TIP2 for higher skill players. Just sayin'.

RULES CLUES

OUT CALLS: Rule 6.C.7.a. "If a player/team returns the ball, the 'OUT' call shall be made before the opponent hits the ball or the ball becomes dead."

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Habersham Major League Pickleball Will have the courts on Sundays through April 6th from 1:00 until 7:00. Come on out and watch and if you like what you see, sign up for the next season. There are two leagues to accommodate different skill levels. An email will go out weekly with results and standings. Finals are April 6 starting at 1:30. Come on out y'all.

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Tournament Play

Tournament season is upon us. Sign up for our very own PICKLESHAM PALOOZA, MAY 2-3 ON OUR COURTS. SIGN UP IS OPEN AT https://pickleballbrackets.com?picklesham2025.

Sunshine brings the outdoor tournaments. If you like the game, tournaments are great fun to test your skills against people who don't already know your serve, your speed, your favorite shots, and patterns of play. If you are new to tournament play, suggest you enter your first one at a half level below what you think you are or get some insight from those who have.

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Drill Groups

Drill groups formally start up again in April. Please watch out for emails with the new registration system. Each drill group will renew participants quarterly. It will be first to register, first in. Groups have a participant limit set by the group coordinator. There will be 4 groups: Ladies advanced (Sarah), Open advanced (John), Intermediate Open (Paul) and Beginners Open (Austin). You will have to register for these groups even if you have previously participated.

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HCPC MERCH FOR SALE

Club shirts, hats and visors are now available for sale on the web site under the STORE header. If ordered before Friday, April 4, your items will be ready by PICKLESHAM Palooza 2025 on MAY 2&3. And, if you select LOCAL PICK-UP option, shipping is free. Kim Perry will handle distribution of purchases, so contact Kim with any questions.

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HCPC Board

Our next Board meeting will be on Monday, April 14 at 12:00 in the Meeting Room in the Aquatic Center. There is time reserved for your input and suggestions. As always, we welcome you to join us.

AND THAT'S ALL FOLKS!

John Bigelow

Newsletter

706-499-8588

jrbigelow@windstream.net