JANUARY NEWSLETTER FROM LU

“'Happy New Year” or should I say “Happy to be done with 2020!” Many of you already know me, but to those who don't, you may go to our Pictona website and read about all the exciting details of my life. For now, let's keep it simple. I am Lu Ann Kandt (Lu). I am your new Instructional Program Director. Big title, but the actual meaning; I will be helping Pictona enhance and expand our instructional program. My position will be a work in progress. I will learn as I go. Rest assured, I will be working hard to provide you the first class, quality instructional opportunities you deserve. This news- letter, includes what we have been doing, as well as new options for 2021. Happy Reading!

Instructional Programs: Oldies but Goodies
PB101 (60 minutes) Our free introductory class: Tuesdays 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM; Thursdays 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

PB110 $25 (60 Minutes) Beginning Skills & Drills: Mondays 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Starting January 11, then every other week) PB 201 $30.00 (90 minutes) – For players who know how to keep score, can serve and return a serve with consistency and accuracy, can maintain a rally, and are ready to learn the drop shot, dinks with a purpose and partner strategy

Thursdays 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

PB 301– Scheduling: Coming Soon!!

Private and Semi-Private Option

If Group Instruction is not your thing set up a Private or Semi Private Session with our Pictona Instructors:

Mike Pascale; Sylvia Whitehouse; Scott Siewert; Dave Heinze

Just go to the Pictona website and learn about our incredible instructors. Reach out to any one of them to schedule a lesson. You won't be disappointed!! Click on instruction tab at: pictona.org

Round Robin Events with Rotating Patners
1. “NOT” Ready for Prime Time Pickleball Round Robin: ($10 Members / $15 Non-Members)

Monday, January 18th from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
This is a fun pickleball play event for novices and beginners. . Instruction/playing tips/rule reminders will be given throughout this event. Happy Hour following play.

2. “MIGHT BE” Ready for Prime Time Pickleball Round Robin ($10 Members / $15 Non-Members)

Tuesday, January 26th from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM. Skill level 3.0-3.5

This round robin is for intermediate players who want to get tips on improving play, want to meet others of like skill and want to have fun!! Remember, “If you had fun, you won!” And don’t forget Happy Hour!!

Volunteer Mentors for our Novice players

We need volunteers to be ambassadors/coaches/mentors for some scheduled novice play. If you like encouraging and helping beginners learn this great game we would love to have you join our Mentor Team. This would only require an hour or two a month of your time. Our new players will be forever in your debt. Reach out to Lu if you would like to be added to our Mentor Team list: kan2golf@aol.com.

WHAT'S NEW!!

PB102 $25.00 (60 minutes) Our follow up lass to PB 101.
Students will learn basic drills to improve paddle skills. Students will play while reviewing scoring, positioning, serve and return of serve.

Mondays 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Specialty Classes $25.00 (60 minutes) Classes that will target a specific skill for improvement
You can attend all of them or pick and choose. If you see a course you would like to attend and it is not offered at a time

convenient to you, let Lu know. Here are our first two course selections: Monday, January 11, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

1.“Quit running around your backhand” - Learn and perform drills to improve your backhand: dinks, blocks, ground strokes, and drops shots.

Tuesday, January 19, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
2. The 3rd shot drop – How to transition to the NVZ. When to drive and when to drop.

JUNIOR PROGRAM

It’s the future of the game! Here is a message from Mary Burns, our Junior Program Director.

Hi, I’m Mary Burns, Director of the Pictona Youth Program. Our vision is to grow the sport of pickleball by introducing this fun game to the youth in our community. To Kick Start our Junior program we will be offering two junior days in Jan- uary: Saturday, Jan16th and Jan 30th from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM.

Any youth ages 8-18 are invited to come join us for a time of instruction and modified game play. We will provide the equipment. This will be a free event, so pass along this information to anyone interested: kids, grandkids, neighbors, cousins, or home schoolers. You may register for these events by calling Pictona.

How Can You Help? Funny you should ask. We need willing adult volunteers who have a heart (and the patience) for teaching children. This commitment would involve helping out once or twice a month. If interested, please contact Mary Burns at mkburns25@gmail.com or call Pictona 386-310-7067

Lu's Instructional Corner: Best way to reach me is via text or email: 386-214-8050 / kan2golf@aol.com Here are some additional group course options I will be offering in January. Call, text or email me to schedule.

Create your own group lesson: Do you have friends that would like to take classes together. Just reach out to me and I will arrange a class time convenient to you.

Playing Lessons I don't know about you, but I like to learn while I am playing. That is where the “real” me shows up. Drilling is great, but playing is a fun way to incorporate tips into action. You and your friends can arrange for a playing lesson. I will rotate and play with each of you and provide on court advice to improve your game. An individual written review will be provided via email.

TIP OF THE MONTH: It is all about you or U. The U stands for unforced errors.
What is an unforced error? A missed shot or lost point that is entirely a result of the player's own blunder and not because of the opponents skill or lack thereof. (These shots are usually accompanied by a loud groaning sound from your partner )

In your next few games, keep track of your U's. Count how many times you hit a ball out of bounds, into the net (I have never done that), or miss putting your serve in play. In order to begin eliminating unforced errors you must become aware of them.

Let me end, by telling you the best advice I ever received in Pickleball. “Keep it in play” Lu