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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JUNE 2017 49 Paddle Tennis Since I have been playing this game for five years or more, I've had the opportunity to observe all styles of play. Some players like to hit the ball hard; some like to put spin on the ball; others are just happy to get it back. In my opinion, for our level of play, consistency produces the best results. For example, a hard fast serve can throw the opponent off, but is more difficult to keep in bounds. Giving free points for a service fault is an easy way to a fast exit. For me, the best serve is slow and low. This prevents the opponent from slamming the ball back and has a high percentage of success. Another good technique is the lob. When both opponents run to the net, if you lob it over their heads, it forces them to retreat to the back court and is also difficult to rally a good return. There is no substitute for speed and agility. A number of our regular players have both. They can sprint from almost anywhere on the court to get to the ball. Other players, no names mentioned, are more like fixed statues. If you place the ball anywhere in their three -foot radius, they will return the ball, no problem. If the ball is out of that radius, point over. One of our common rules shared with tennis is letting the receiving team make the call on close shots. From the other side of the court, due to the angle of sight, it sometimes may appear that a ball landed on the line, when if you were standing right there, it was clearly out. So, it is good sportsmanship to accept the call. No problem with protesting the call as we live in a free speech society, but in the end you must just let it go. No one intentionally makes a bad call. Another rule directed at letting all players play is that during posted times, the courts are reserved for doubles players. If not enough players are there for use of both courts, then singles practice is OK, but if there are four players available for doubles, then that takes precedence. We are now in our spring and summer play time hours. Mornings are still the same, but the afternoon times have been switched to 6 pm in the evenings. Check the Breeze for published playing times. Come out and get some good exercise and social fun. ~ Terry Miller