Haven't played Pickleball in a year
 

Hi,

I was rated a 3.5 player at my former club in Arizona (Club rating only, not DUPR). However, I haven't played in a year due to injuries, etc. So I need some time before I get officially rated. What do you suggest is the best way to get back into Pickleball? Open play? If so where would someone like me be welcome? I live closest to Riverbend as I live in Monarch Grove / Linden area.

Thanks,

Cindy

I don’t know what injury you had? I suggest you don’t go after balls than make you stretch or put pressure in you back and legs. Work into it slowly. Let your body get used to it to sudden starts, stops, and reaching. If you have tennis background shorten your strokes some don’t need big windup IMO.

You don't say where you live, but if you wish, feel free to join our little (only 4 this summer) group of 3.0+ players on Sunday mornings at 8:15. We play at Hibiscus, which is adjacent to the Cane Garden golf course.

I had back problems not related to Pickleball. Anyway, I am looking to get back playing again and wondering where to start. It seems you can't do clinics unless you are rated. I just want to start playing again for fun.

“I just want to start playing again for fun“

That would be about any pickleball courts from 7am to 10am during open play time. If you want go to clinic and need rating? Just go get rated. after you get back in rhythm and improve you can always get re-rated it that important to you?

And PS: we only play first team to seven by two so my husband's back muscles don't seize up. We play about an hour and a half.

Yeah I edited my post to include where I live since not everyone knows where Riverbend is. Yeah your group sounds great. Ideally I would play closer to where I live, but I will get back to you if I don't find a closer group. Thanks for the offer.

Cindy

Open play or playing with a group sounds like what I am looking for. I was thinking about getting rated just to do a clinic so I could play. Sounds like I may not need to do that :)

I live way up north and don’t travel much to play pickleball anymore due to my decline in health and movement. So not familiar with far south. Open play from 7am to 10am on all pickleball courts. I’d just try closest one to you and work way out till find rec center that you like playing level?

You can also look in rec guide for groups in you’re area after 10 am some are open and some are closed group, just have to go at the times see if they are accommodating?

Drill and Play
 

Another place to start....

Drill & Play Skills / Drill & Play | Pickleball Community Volunteer Group

Early morning open play at Riverbend should be fine, usually a nice group of recreational and intermediate players there.

Courts nearby at the new San Tropez Rec Center open Thursday -so those courts should be wide open all day.

If you prefer more structure, start with a Mentored play or other PCVG session.

Calendar | Pickleball Community Volunteer Group

Intro to PB Series / Intro to PB / Instructional Program | Pickleball Community Volunteer Group

Quickest way to a rating is to attend a few DUPR camps.

Take a look at Beach Tennis - it's fun, more or less badminton on sand with a paddle and deflated tennis ball.

River Bend has a drill and play session Thursdays 10-12. Normally you would need a PCVG or DUPR rating to play. The enrollment is so low now (summer), just show up and ask to play. (It is a 3.0 session, but if you have not played in a while, you will probably fit in.) Coaches are 4.0.

Tab Group is the signup. But you might not be able to sign up.

The Thursday paper of the daily sun includes the rec centers play time by level of play. Pick one by you and go play.

Sent you a DM

There is a group called the PCVG. Here is the website. Clinic Series / Instructional Program | Pickleball Community Volunteer Group

They offer an Instructional Series (most events are once a month during the summer) and Drill n Play (multiple events each week in all areas of TV). The volunteers are wonderful and can help you get back into play safely.

Cindy,
Welcome back. I, too, live in Monarch Grove and I try to play Pickleball as often as I can, since Pickleball is my only form of exercise.

In addition to Open Play, in the morning, I have a number of options I can suggest to you.

1. I have my own group, Dinking Days, that plays at Riverbend on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2:00 pm. We are a coed mix of 3.5 and 4.0 players. In the Winter time we fill all 6 courts, however, this time of year we typically have enough people for 2-4 courts, depending on the day.

2. On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays, there are people playing at Everglades starting 6:00 pm. Skill level is 3.0 to 4.0 and this time of year they have 2-4 courts going. Very nice folks that I would be happy to introduce you to.

I have other options, however, this should get you started.

As far as the rating info goes, i can help you with that too. We can discuss it in more detail when get play at one of the above groups.

Good luck and see you on the courts,
Dan

I would suggest checking schedules and going to 'Beginner Open Play" to check yourself out. Riverbend has it on the schedule Tuesday at 10am.

Not a bad place to start, however, I had the opportunity to play in both, Mesa and Tucson Arizona on more than one occasion. I found their ratings to be reasonably accurate. I would not be surprised to learn that Cindy may be a strong 3.5 or possibly a 4.0 rating. The best thing for her is to come out and play. It will get sorted out quickly.

Don’t see it

Yeah I just need to get my timing back. Hopefully it won’t take long.

Try Open Plan at Everglades and River Bend
 

Both Everglades and River Bend are good places for open play at this time of the year, starting at 7:30-ish. Both of those locations will give you some good workouts to get ready for the PCVG Ratings Clinic. There's also lots of DUPR play opportunities in The Villages.

Go to ezell everyday from 7am on, usually 3.0’s play there. If you are better than them, go up to everglade

I suggest trying touchtennis. The ball bounces higher, the racquet is lighter and longer. You don't have to bend down as much. Play is on the platform tennis courts. Search touchtennis on these forums to find out where to play. Tons of fun and easier on your body than PB!