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| SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | FEBRUARY 2025 | 53 POP Tennis POP Tennis, formerly known as Paddle Tennis, is a fun, fast sport that can be enjoyed by people at all fitness levels. Though played on a smaller court, with a different paddle, and 20 percent deflated tennis balls, POP Tennis is otherwise scored and regulated like traditional tennis. POP Tennis is played on the courts to the left of the Main Clubhouse usually on Thursday mornings from 8 to 10 am (fall/winter hours). Additionally, there is a group that plays Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday afternoons from 3 to 5 pm. People are free to come and go as their schedules permit. Hours are subject to change, so it is best to check the bulletin board located at the courts for current play times. All are welcome and there are always friendly folks to teach beginners the game! Paddles and balls are provided too. For more information or to express a desire to be on a decision-making committee, please feel free to contact Carl Miller at (951) 512-3131 Hope you'll POP in! The California DMV would be beside itself if it couldn't announce new laws every January. Ditto the IRS. Well, at the risk of joining bad company, our sport is usually in rule- issuing mode every year as well. Most of these pertain almost exclusively to tournament play so we Sun Lakers don't get too caught up. Nevertheless, it's good to be aware of changes in our beloved pastime. Here are just a few of the latest promulgations: The rule gurus are coming down firmly against kibitzing (good luck). They have changed the "should" to "shall" in an attempt to quell "consulting with spectators." Some rules have treated fouls such as touching the kitchen "when the swing begins." That will now read "when the ball is struck." Thus, if your paddle scrapes the court on or over the kitchen line, you have not fouled so long as you haven't yet hit the shot. Clearly, the officials agreed it's too hard to determine when a swing has begun. Some changes have been made to a scoring technique used in tournaments called "rally scoring." Our Sun Lakes Charity competition last fall used this method as a way of speeding play on a very hot day. When employed, rally scoring means a team need not be serving to score. It can come in handy if the courts are really crowded to make games quicker and reduce waiting time. Some of us have believed there is no such thing as a "do-over" in pickleball. A new rule specifies that where teams have a disagreement, a replay is called for. If teammates differ, the call must always go in favor of the opponents. Replays should be limited to rule interpretations, not out-calls which are still the purview of the receiving side. We should always keep in mind that the best "rule" is the good neighbor rule. Courtesy and consideration of others has long been the hallmark of Pickleball. Not a rule, just a reminder to those who struggle staying back at the baseline until the serve has been returned: one pro uses the mantra "serve and stay." If your serve has carried you over the line, you may want to hop back of it until you see where the return is headed. Our club is looking forward to another great year of friendly competition. If you are interested in checking out this oddly-named game, give our Vice-President, Judy Luna, a call at (949) 929-2390. She will suggest the best times to join the fun. See you on the courts! Pickleball Club The California DMV would be beside itself if it couldn't announce new laws every January. Ditto the IRS. Well, at the risk of joining pertain almost exclusively to tournament

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