Palm Springs plans community meeting on new pickleball courts at Demuth Park

I want to invite all interested picklers to a community outreach meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8 at the Demuth Community Center, 3601 E Mesquite Ave. in Palm Springs. I have been attending ad-hoc pickleball community meetings for the last two years, along with several other caring players, and we have worked hard to help the city plan this exciting new expansion.

The architects will be there with several plans to present.  City officials will be present, plus Palm Springs recreation department staff.  Even if you do not play in Palm Springs, you might want to attend to see how the community can give input on future courts in your community.

Among the topics to be discussed:

• Layout of new courts

• Whether the existing tennis court will stay or be replaced

• Parking issues

• Shade areas.  Seating for observers or those waiting to play

• Bike racks

• Facilitating entry to the courts to limit disruption of play

• Labeling courts by skill level – pros and cons

• Should we have a challenge court?

• ADA court for wheelchair pickleball

• Bleachers?  Benches?

• Options for rotation systems:  white boards, paddle racks, instructions

• Water fountains

• Wind screens – will fans be able to watch players from at least one unobstructed area?

Any other questions will be welcomed by the audience

Upcoming schedule: Thanks to those who played in the Halloweenie round robin on Oct. 22 at Civic Center Park.  Next up:  Turkey Pickle on Nov. 26 at Fritz Burns Park in La Quinta.  Go to PickleballBrackets.com to see the information.  Email Mary to register at  Mgbarsaleau@gmail.com

Coach Mary's Tip of the Week

Today's tip focuses on block volley drills and soft hands.

Don’t you love to play against bangers?  NOT!  Use the reset, or block volley to defend and turn the tables on opponents who constantly hammer the ball.

Coach Simone Jardim had a great video a few years ago, and it is so good that we are watching it again.  In addition, she has a pickleball #shorts series, which I have also included.

Block volley drills -- soft hands

Block volley drills -- soft hands

Great drills in the first video, involving two touches, and progressing from there.

Soft hands, soft grip.  Absorb rather than hit the ball.  “Catch” the ball like you have a softball mitt on your hand.

Your goal is to place the ball softly in your opponent’s NVZ, where it barely bounces up, and now you have them in the short game.  NO MORE BANGING!

You can practice this with a ball machine also or have a partner work on their topspin drives banging it at you.  (I call this “Rip your Face Off!”)

Listen to Simone in the shorts.  She talks about the misconception that you are “cutting” the ball.  She emphasizes softening, absorbing, with your paddle out in front. You are letting the ball die off your paddle.

Be sure to get low. If your opponent is smashing it at you, you are getting down and low.  Absorb your opponent’s pace.

Athletic position:  get low, be on balance.  Use your body to absorb the power.  “The less you do, the better.  Let the paddle do the job for you.”

Now get out and bring those bangers to their knees!

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs plans meeting on new pickleball courts at Demuth Park