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62 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | JANUARY 2018 | Pickleball Club We mentioned last month how our sport has mushroomed nationally with nearly three million players enjoying the game in a wide variety of venues. The same growth spurt is occurring with the USA Pickleball Association, our official governing body. USAPA sanctions tournaments and equipment as well as giving stewardship over rules and specifications that make pickleball standardized wherever we may play as we travel and join other clubs. USAPA grew from 16,000 members to 22,000 in the past year. If you haven't thought about joining the national organization, consider doing so for 2018. You get access to a fine magazine and keep in touch with activities near and far. A major perk is to have access to a website giving locales in any community you may visit to find opportunities to play "on the road." Google them for information on signing up. For a tip to start the new year, try working on your "third shot." Remember: pickleball is designed to be played at the net. The third shot, struck by the serving side, is the way to get into fighting position. Generally, the serve will be deep and so will the return of serve. That's how each side tries to keep the opponents in the rear court. But, the receiving side starts with one player up, giving them an advantage. The serving side needs a good third shot to help offset that edge. Many pros consider this the key shot in the game. The idea is to hit a drop shot that lands in the opponents' kitchen low enough that they can't pound it back at you. The serving side uses the drop shot to move up to the kitchen and prepare for the brisk exchanges that are the heart of pickleball. It's worth working on the techniques for dropping the ball just over the net and you can find excellent videos online that demonstrate this and other shots. So, don't just use play time for general practice and a work-out, "practice with a purpose" by honing that third shot! Our club will be planning some fun activities in 2018. If you haven't gotten your membership paid (a mere ten bucks!) see one of our officers to get paid up for what promises to be another great year in Sun Lakes generally and the Pickleball Club in particular! Our regular club play remains Monday/Wednesday/Saturday at 8 am with other times available both at Sun Lakes' courts and our neighbors. For information on any issues, call president Royce Newman at 769- 1103 or VP Nick Caputo at 255-7841. See you on the courts!