This website makes it easy to volunteer at top tournaments
Volunteering at tournaments is a great way to see lots of top-notch pickleball action, support the sport, meet new people, learn new skills, and maybe even rub shoulders with a few stars. If you want to find events to volunteer at, you need to know about pickleballdesk.com.
The Pickleball Desk website allows you to create an account and view volunteering events nationwide. So, let’s say you’re heading to Florida and looking for something to do on your trip. Maybe you can participate in something there.
When you create a profile, you can designate your preferred t-shirt size, emergency contacts, and any ratings you have that qualify you for certain jobs, like operating a dashboard. Some “volunteer” gigs like refereeing are paid, and the website allows you to register a Venmo, Zelle, or Paypal account to receive your money directly.
Currently, the website is where to register to volunteer for the 2022 Margaritaville USA National Pickleball Championships at Indian Wells Tennis Garden in November. Even if you don’t have any “credentials” in the official pickleball world yet, there are still plenty of jobs you can volunteer for, including:
- Championship court ball catcher
- Information booth staff
- Volunteers at the gate
- Bailiffs
- Medal managers
- Net and ground checkers
- Player registration
- Attendant in the pro players’ lounge
- Professional training ground monitor
- Pro Training Ground Cones
- The swag bag team
- Referee Tent Staff
- VIP Lounge Credential Checker
- Volunteer reception staff
There are detailed descriptions of what each job entails on the website and specific sign-ups for shifts. This makes it easy to decide what suits your schedule and interests.
If the Indian Wells event isn’t enough for you or doesn’t fit your schedule, Pickleball Desk will also show you other upcoming events in Southern California that are looking for volunteers, such as the State Games California 2022 in Coronado from September 23 to 25, the Poway Classic 2022 in Poway from September 30 to October 30. 2, and the 2022 Palm Desert Open right here in the valley, taking place October 28-30 at the Palm Desert Resort Tennis & Pickleball, 77333 Country Club Dr, Palm Desert.
For more information on Pickleball Desk, watch this video: https://vimeo.com/394785699
Coach Mary’s Tip of the Week: Volleys!
A volley is a ball that is caught in the air. You don’t expect it to bounce back. Remember you can’t fly if your feet are in the kitchen.
Many of my students have progressed from beginners to advanced beginners, and they are ready to commit to hitting third shot drops and moving towards the net.
If you’re not already trying, I strongly encourage you to take some lessons or find a drill buddy that will help you through this important transitional stage in your pickleball journey. Otherwise, you won’t need to know how to fly.
This video by Jordan Briones https://youtu.be/SRJ28-ldlPM is intended for advanced level players, but it can be modified for all skill levels. I suggest you watch it.
Jordan shows a progression of:
- Down volleys
- Line Fence and Close Ends
- Forehand Vs Forehand Volleys
- Backhand to backhand volleys
- Figure 8 volleys
- Cross volleys
- Rapid response volleys
If you don’t watch the ball and pay attention to footwork, body position, and paddle position, you’ll learn more from this video. (For beginners, you can do these same exercises with dinks for extra time.)
A few simple volleyball tips:
- Paddling ahead.
- Soft grip.
- Weight on the soles of the feet, in balance, without stepping or rushing.
- Paddle face aimed at your target
- Knees bent, chest up.
One of my heroes, Queen Elizabeth II, passed away this week, and I just want to take a break. Seventy years of service, through the pains, labors and triumphs of leadership. It’s easy to follow…it takes a lot more strength and determination to steer. “Keep Calm and carry on.”
Let’s try to do it every day, on and off the pitch.
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