New pickleball association launches just for recreational players

Want to meet other senior players? Find other beginners to play with socially? Find a doubles partner for events?

Well, let me introduce you to the Recreational Pickleball Players Association (RPPA).

One of my former softball athletes from my first teaching/coaching job in the 1980’s is a retired lawyer, an avid Pickler and a smart businesswoman.  Her newsletter, the Fit Pickler, has been highlighted in this column. Here is the form to scan to subscribe for free.

She is now launching an association for recreational players.  Not everyone wants to watch pros, go to tournaments, or play in leagues.  Elena feels strongly that the heart and soul of pickleball lies in everyday players who have transformed this sport into something truly special.

Recreational players deserve a dedicated space to connect, share and celebrate the unique camaraderie that pickleball brings.  You are a part of a vibrant, growing community that embraces the sport as a way of life.  Perhaps you have found joy, friendship, and a renewed sense of purpose on the court.

Elena and her staff are thrilled to invite you to become a founding member of the Recreational Pickleball Players Association.

What RPPA offers

** Player's directory: Members can create a profile, message other members, organize and join groups, post events, advertise tournaments, parties, and meet-ups.

** Find buddies: Locate players in your area, your age group, your gender, your skill level, etc.

** Travelling: Find places to play and people to meet up with when you are not at home.

** Vendor's directory: First every pickleball focused vendor directory.  Gear, clubs, court builders, eateries/entertainment centers, tournament directors, coaches, clinic hosts.

** Deals and discounts: Verified vendors who will offer special discounts to our members on paddles, equipment, balls, clothing, etc.

** Resources: Access to training videos, community programs, insights, and articles to help you improve your game or advocate for more public courts in your neighborhood.

** Calendar of events: Search for events, fundraisers, round robins, tournaments, and/or leagues in your city or nationwide.

** Social: There will be a private Facebook group for members only.  Connect in a group setting, share photos, tips, and stories.  There will be monthly contests for prizes.

Click the link to see the site in action and to get your special founding member offer.

Notes on last week's column

** One website that I didn't include last week was My Pickleball Lessons . They asked that I include them after I highlighted numerous websites last week on how to find a coach.  Remember, private coaches cannot teach on public courts without doing the paperwork to be a contract vendor – liability issue.

** There's a change on the USA Pickleball website . Our national organization is replacing “Places to Play” with PickleHeads.  Log on to the USA Pickleball website to check out this new tool for finding places to play in every state and city.

Coach Mary's Tip of the Week

Justin from Pickleball Journey highlights five mistakes players need to correct to improve their game. Be sure to watch the video several times .  We are only covering the first topic here.

Who covers the middle?: Who should cover it?  If you said the forehand player or the stronger player, you are only half right.  The answer depends on where the ball is coming from, and where you are positioned.  Trick question!  If it is coming from cross court, you should shift to the middle, and take the return.  Your partner is covering her line.  It is not who is covering the forehand or who is on the backhand.  You and your partner should move together to cover the angles on the court.

Respect the X: Generally, if the ball is coming cross court, you should take it.  If it is coming from the other angle, your partner should take it.  This also depends on your mobility and quickness.  Sometimes, the more mobile partner should take anything in the middle.

If your partner is pulled wide: If your partner must move to his/her line because you dinked wide, then you must move to the middle to help cover the court.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: New pickleball association launches just for recreational players