Aiken Pickleball News

Please take care while storing the court dividers and nets.  When putting the long short dividers away, do not break them down.  If they are taken down frequently it wears out the Velcro and they won't stand up.

As for the nets, please be careful with the center poles.  We are having to replace these at an alarming rate.

Appreciate your consideration. 

 

 

Odell Weeks - City basketball starts in November which means a little less court time for pickleball play at Odell Weeks.  On most days play will start at 845am and end at 230pm.   There is no evening play -  no indoor play on weekends. There will be approximately fifty (50) court reservation slots available each week, so making a court reservation should not be a problem (unless the SUG goes down again).  On that note, we would like to thank everyone for being so patient. 

New Players Clinics will be on Friday, November 6th, starting at 0845 and 0950.  See separate news article and/or flyer on Bulletin Board for more details.                            

The Drills with "Little Mo” at Smith-Hazel are filling up and are better than ever.   Click here to sign up.   You can pay for the drills at the  front desk - OW  or SH. 

Lessons will be available  at OW on Friday, November 20th.  There are five one hour slots available from 0845am-230pm.  Contact your favorite instructor to schedule. 

Morning open play at Odell has been changed to Drop-in play.  Hours in November are from 0845-1045am, Monday through Friday on courts 1 & 2.  Court #3 will be available for court reservations.  When there are lessons or clinics on court 1, drop-in play will  be on courts 2 & 3.

Courts 2 & 5 - We are also considering allowing groups that play side-by-side to use courts 2 or 5 for their second court.  Logic being that the players are queuing together anyway.     There are eight feet between courts, more than enough for social distancing between other courts.  This will be discussed at the next Leadership Team Meeting schedule for  Monday, November 2nd.

Face masks are required for entry and exit at Odell Weeks, Smith-Hazel and Gregg Park.

 

 

There is now a sign on the wall in the closet showing where to place nets that need to be repaired.  It also requests that you notify Ron Nelson via text at 803 474-7390 or send an email to info@aikenpickleball.com

Thank you.

 

 

"Little Mo" is back!  The drills with "Little Mo" will return on Monday, October 19th, and every Monday thereafter until the end of December.  The drills will be held at the Smith-Hazel Recreation Center located at 400 Kershaw Street in northeast Aiken.  There will be two sessions with the same theme back-to-back 10-11am and 11am-12pm each Monday.

Cost is $10 per person per session. Due to social distancing each session is limited to a maximum of six players (minimum of three).    Players can only sign up for one session per day.  Payment can be made at the Odell Weeks or Smith-Hazel front desks.  The receipt must be presented to the instructor at the time of the drill.    

Click here to sign up or select “Little Mo at SH” under our Sign-up lists.  The first five sessions are now available for sign up.  If you have signed up for a session and will not be able to attend, please remove your name from the sign-up.  Players who do not attend and who have not removed their names at least 24 hours in advance will still be required to pay for the session.  Failure to pay for missed sessions will make that person ineligible to sign up for future sessions. 

As in the past, each week will have a different theme.  

October 19 - Return of Serve, down the line (Forehand and Backhands).

October 26 - Dinks with a purpose; hitting your target spots (Forehand and Backhands).

November 2 - Half Volley soft drop; Half Volley drives.

November 9 - Overhead smash; Volley snap at the kitchen.

November 16 - 3rd Shot drop (Forehand and Backhand)

November 23 - Drive topspin Volley

November 30 - King/Queen of the court, (Doubles)

December 7 - Drop, Chip, Drive.

December 14 - Lobs

December 21 - Specialty shots (Various Big Mo Shot choices).

Face masks are required for entry into Smith-Hazel.  The card  you use to access Odell Weeks will allow you entry into Smith-Hazel.  

Skill Levels do not matter in Drills with Little Mo.   Players rotate hitting balls fed by a ball machine..  Doesn't make any difference if you are a 2.0 or a 4.0.
Each player normally hits about 8 balls in a row and then rotates    If they go over fine, if not it is still fine.  Mo is there to show everyone the proper technique
The best news is, after players hit about 50 balls you see a tremendous improvement.  This is one of the reason these drills are so popular.  Highly recommended to improve your game no matter what level you play.  Best $10 you will ever spend on PB

 

First of all, it is a great way for beginners to become acquainted with the game of pickleball.  Court #1 is normally designated for beginners so players just starting to take up the game can play together.

It is helpful to have at least one experienced player who is willing to help with some of the basics of pickleball such as, how to keep score,  where to stand when your side is serving or receiving serve, basic playing strategy and the non-volley zone. These players - a maximum of six - will queue adjacent to court one.

The rest of the players will queue adjacent to Court #3. Again, with a maximum of six players per court.  Because of social distancing, players should remain and rotate in their own group.    Normal rotation is - winners split - losers sit.  If you play two games in a row, you should sit if other players are waiting. That is the plan. What actually happens will depend on how many players sign and show up.  And that is the difference between modified and regular open play - you must sign up in advance.  You can't just drop-in.  The great thing about open play is you get to meet a lot of nice people, and that is how friendships are formed.  Enjoy.

Face masks are required for entry into Odell Weeks.

 

 

New Players Clinics - 9am & 10am, Saturday, October 3rd, were a hugh success.  Next NPCs will be held in November.  Date and time yet to be determined.  

Open Play expanded - Starting October 5th, modified Open Play will be every day, Monday thru Satruday, from 9-11am on courts 1 & 3.  Sign up is still required.    Click here to sign up for open play.

Face masks are still required for entrance into Odell Weeks.

 

On Friday,  November 6th, our teaching professionals will conduct two New Players Pickleball Clinics on Court 1 in Gym 2, at Odell Weeks  at 0845 & 0950.  Cost will be $15 per person.  Sign up and pay at the front desk.  

Due to social distancing, this offering is limited to 4 players per session. Each clinic will last 50 minutes.  Balls, Paddles, Gloves and sanitizer will be provided.

Face masks are required for entry into Odell Weeks.

 

 

The forthcoming Mid-Atlantic Regional Pickleball Tournament at Myrtle Beach, SC Sept. 24-26, is looking for volunteers - Referees - Line Judges - Court monitors.  Click here if you are interested in signing up.

 

The NOT'lanta Open is almost full but there are still openings in 4.0 WDS, 3.5 WDS, 3.0 MDS, 4.0 MDS, women's singles. 

Here’s the direct link: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/5080449A4AB2DA5FC1-notlanta   to sign up.

 

The NOT'lanta Open is almost full but there are still openings in 4.0 WDS, 3.5 WDS, 3.0 MDS, 4.0 MDS, women's singles. 

Here’s the direct link: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/5080449A4AB2DA5FC1-notlanta   to sign up.

 

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