David Zapatka Would you like to neutralize the hard shots being hit in your direction? Consider a blocking strategy. Blocking a shot properly requires technique, positioning, timing and strategy. Follow this advice to improve your blocking skills: * Stand with your knees bent and feet shoulder-width apart. The lower you can get down, the better.…
Tag Archive for pickleball
Sports, April 2024
Cottonwood Pickleball Team Undefeated in East Valley Division
Lorri Morgan, Communications The Regional Season for the Arizona Pickleball Players League (APPL) is finished, and not one, but two of our teams were victorious in the East Valley Region. APPL has four regions in the Phoenix area: Southern, Casa Grande, Western, and Eastern (us). There is also a White Mountain region, but that is…
April 2024, Generals
Neighbors Who Care – April 2024
Neighbors Who Care: ‘Keeping Company’—Respite Care Is Simply Visiting with a Neighbor Remember the days when the crickets were chirping outside and the kids were scrambling to collect fireflies in jars and sitting on the porch keeping company with the neighbors? Shooting the breeze was the way we kept in touch before we scrolled through…
March 2024, Front Page
Paddle Up for Pickleball
Lorri Morgan, Communications Busy, busy—that’s the only way to describe the pickleball corner of the racquet facility at Cottonwood. Monday through Friday is club time until 2:30 p.m., and courts are assigned according to the schedule for different levels. There have also been a lot of training sessions, round robins to facilitate ratings move-ups, and…
March 2024, Generals
IronOaks Pickleball Club’s Second Annual Pickle Barrel Classic March 13-16
Well, here it is, our Second Annual (expanded) Pickleball Classic. Yes, expanded to include something for everyone! The tournament starts at 8 a.m. each day, and there will be much to explore. Come cheer on the players! Early risers may enjoy coffee and pastries. Enjoy our daily BBQ with burgers and dogs (Monday), taco bar…
March 2024, Sports
2024 Norris Invitational Pickleball Tournament March 4, 5, and 6
Peggy Martin The 2024 Norris Invitational Pickleball Tournament (NIT) opens on the Sun Lakes Pickleball Club Cottonwood (SLPCC) courts on Monday, March 4. The tournament goes through Wednesday, March 6, with a rain day on Thursday, March 7. The tournament was open to players from Cottonwood Palo Verde, Sun Lakes 1, IronOaks, Springfield, and SunBird…
February 2024, Generals
IronOaks Second Annual Pickle Barrel Classic
Sign-ups have begun, and only two weeks in, there are over 90 participants ready to play! Mark your calendar for March 11 to March 14, find a partner, and go to our website www.ironoakspickleball.com and get signed up today! All the details are on the website. There will be three full days of tournament play,…
February 2024, Generals
Play Pickleball and Tennis: IronOaks Racquet Club Plans Event to Benefit Neighbors Who Care
Sheryl Keeme Planning is underway for Play It Forward, the Third Annual Tennis/Pickleball Event to Benefit Neighbors Who Care, on Saturday, April 6. All fun pickleball and tennis play will take place at IronOaks Racquet Club. Representatives from several Sun Lakes/South Chandler communities are involved in planning this year’s event, and everyone is encouraged to…
February 2024, Front Page
Dink Pink Wins First Match on the Road!
Dink Pink, Sun Lakes Pickleball Club Cottonwood (SLPCC) women’s travel pickleball team, won its first match against Encore Dinking Buddies of Encore at Eastmark in Mesa. As Dink Pink said, “First match. First win. First day.” Yes, that’s right! Dink Pink won their first match on opening day of competition, Jan. 2, 2024. This is…
January 2024, Sports
2024 Norris Invitational Pickleball Tournament
Peggy Martin The Sun Lakes Pickleball Club Cottonwood (SLPCC) will host its 10th Annual Norris Invitational Tournament (NIT) on March 4, 5, 6, and 7 on the pickleball courts at Cottonwood Country Club, 25630 S. Brentwood Drive. The NIT tournament is named after Maureen and Dick Norris who first brought pickleball to Cottonwood Palo Verde,…