Spotlight on local pickleball player Allen Stecker
I have had the pleasure of working with Allen Stecker for 2 years, and it is always great to have him participate in my monthly round robins. He brings humor, energy, positive energy and sportsmanship to every event.
Allen is 61 years young but exudes the energy of a 20-year-old. He has been playing pickleball for over 2 years. Allen loves singles but is enjoying men’s and mixed doubles as well.
Allen plays in leagues, local events, west coast tourneys and round robins. He plays mostly at Demuth Park in Palm Springs, but also ventures out to Fritz Burns Park in La Quinta, Freedom Park in Palm Desert and indoors in the summer at Civic Center Park in Palm Desert. He plays in Pasadena and in San Diego but considers Demuth his “family”.
Allen attends most of my round robins and brings a positive vibe to my events. He also helps set up and helps run the clipboards. Allen is passionate about improving, and always loves to drill. He also helps newbies to meet new friends, and he includes all skill levels in his games at Demuth.
I am so proud of Allen for going through the training to become a certified PPR Pickleball instructor. He will be helping me teach starting in October at the Demuth Park courts.
Coach Mary’s tip of the week
It’s back to the Pickleball Journey Boys this week with their “6 tips I wish I had known sooner” video. https://youtu.be/1FJwazaUJ1U
Justin starts out with the lob, then covers short backswing, executing thirds by staying behind the ball, locking your wrist with dinks, letting high balls go out and how to set up an effective ERNE shot.
** When your opponent is moving forward (short dink), this is a great time to lob from the kitchen. This is a powerful tool if you hit it at the appropriate time.
** Short backswing. Create more time to accelerate through the shot. Paddle in front, push through, big follow-through.
** On the third shot drop, do not creep in. Do not hit off your back foot. Be sure to move back before the ball gets to you, so you can execute the shot in front of your body, incorporating your hips and shoulders.
Dinking! No wristy shots! Lock your wrist. Keep it in front, push through. I am using my hips and shoulders, and my body is pushing the dink through. Guide to your target, do not pop or hit your dinks. Check out the drill to lift and guide your dink.
Let high balls fly out. “Shoulder high, let it fly!” If your opponent is coming in and trying to attack, this might be a time to let it go long.
Effective ERNE. Set up an ERNE by pushing them off to the outside corner with your dink. Dink to the outside of the court, and when their head is down, jump or move to the outside of the court to attack with an ERNE. (See last week’s column to see description of an ERNE shot.)
Join a drill class
Palm Desert Civic Center: Indoors, Friday is Intermediate drill, from 8-9:30 a.m.. You can join open play after that.
Palm Springs drill class: Thursdays from 9-10:30 a.m. You can play afterwards until noon in the air conditioning.
Next indoor round robin: Sunday, Aug. 27 at Civic Center Park Indoors. Register on MyRecreationDistrict.com