Spotlight on Steve Kass, a pickleball player in the Coachella Valley

I met Steve Kass when he enrolled in my Palm Desert Civic Center drill classes last year.  He worked very hard and improved quickly.  He entered some of my round robin events and continued on with his pickleball journey.

Steve is 78 years young, and he plays mostly at Fritz Burns Park in La Quinta.  He has also played at the indoor courts in Indio as well as the indoor courts at Palm Desert Recreation Center.

Steve loves to drill and attended quite a few of my advanced drill classes both indoors and outdoors last year.  I loved that he introduced pickleball to his daughter, Anitra, and she attended several lessons.  It is always great to share your passion with your family.

Steve asks good questions . . . he doesn’t make excuses or blame his performance on other factors (“I came from tennis, etc.”)  He wants to know why you need to have a consistent third shot drop, and then he understands why it is so critical for doubles success.

Steve said he learned quite a bit from playing in the round robins. He realized why we do the drills we do, and how it leads to success.

I personally appreciate Steve because when I was in a wheelchair after an injury, he helped me unload my car every day to teach outside.  He also loves Gracie (my wiener dog.)  Thanks again Steve.

Steve travels to Arizona and Utah to play in senior tournaments, and he has been very successful.  An interesting fact is his men’s doubles partner is an old friend from college, who was one of Steve’s gymnastics athletes.  I have met many former softball and basketball players from my high school and college days that are now picklers.

Steve participated in my two favorite events:  Fall Brawl, and Huntsman Senior Games, which are held in October in St. George, Utah.  Amazing venue, amazing people.  Go online and check it out.  Two years ago, I was able to stay two weeks, win medals in both pickleball and golf, and then bike and hike in a beautiful setting.

Steve has also introduced pickleball to his family in Denver, and of course, they are addicted.  His grandson is taking private lessons.

The reason I am highlighting Steve is simple.  Yes, he was one of my students.  Yes, he helped me a great deal last year when I was injured.  Yes, he is coachable, and he works hard.  However, the reason I focused on him is how he has shared his passion for pickleball with his family and friends, and now they get to share that love of something they love.   In today’s world, it is rare that families have a passion for something that they can do together, no matter the age, skill or mobility.

Life is short, and we should treasure the time we have with our family, doing things we love.  I got to compete in equestrian endurance riding with my dad, and hiking with my mom as an adult.  So often, grandparents are expected to babysit and cater to the grandkids, but rarely do they get to participate in a fun activity together.  Not anymore!  Pickleball is for grandparents, grandkids, and everyone in-between.

This week's tip focuses on eight common mistakes by beginners. Here's a good video from Elisha and Justin from Pickleball Journey who detail some of these critical mistakes.

1.  After serving, you step into the court, and you are not ready to react to the return.  Remember the two-bounce rule.   Stay behind the baseline.  It is easier to move in than to move back.  Hint: “Serve and stay.”

2.   At the NVZ, foot faults.  Players volley, taking the ball out of the air, but they step in the kitchen either on contact or on follow-through.  Sit down, soft knees, balance, and use your hips and shoulders, rather than a step to contact the ball.

3.  Hitting balls that are going out.  Arrgh!  Here is the rule: “if shoulder high, let it fly!”  Too often we contact balls that are going out.

4.  “Down the Middle, solves the Riddle.”  If the ball is down the middle, you must communicate.  Talk about this prior to the match.  Forehand generally takes it.  If you have a lefty partner, make sure you “respect the X.“  If it is coming from cross-court, the player on the diagonal takes it.  If one of you is stronger at the net, be aggressive and poach or take a ball that is going to your partner.

5.   After you return, get to the net.  Return deep, so that you can get to the net before your opponent receives the ball.  If you are the serving team, execute a third ball drop that lands softly in the NVZ so you can get to the net before they contact the ball.

6.   Try not to just watch the ball.  Use your peripheral vision, and see both of your opponents, as well as the ball.  Track the ball with your paddle and shift your weight with your feet and shoulders.  Anticipate by tracking the ball with your body, not just your eyes.

7.   Consistency, Placement, Power.  Master the simple stuff, then add spin.  Keep your paddle in front, use your hips and shoulders, keep your knees soft, balls of your feet.  Add spin using your hips and shoulders, not just your arm.

8.   When you have a return that is short, and you feel you can attack it, do not hit it as hard as you can!  Use topspin and hit it three quarters speed.  Low to high.  We often attack a short ball, but we hit it out.  Stay low, short backswing, follow-through with your hips and shoulders.

Next outdoor Round Robin event is the Turkey Pickle on Nov. 26 at Fritz Burns Park in La Quinta.  Email Mary to enter at  mgbarsaleau@gmail.com  All my events are posted on PickleballBrackets.com.