Aiken Pickleball News

"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.

 

Monday and Wednesday mornings from 10am- 12pm, there are two courts available for reservations at Smith-Hazel. See separate news article for details.

During the month of September there will be evening play at Odell until 845pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.

And on Fridays there are now five one-hour slots available for lessons.

Social distancing and face masks are still required.

 

 

Smith-Hazel, a City of Aiken Recreation Center, is reopen for pickleball effective Monday, August 31, 2020,  It has two indoor courts available for play from 10am-12pm on Mondays and Wednesdays.  Smith-Hazel is located at 400 Kershaw St NE, in downtown Aiken.  

The card you use to access Odell Weeks will allow you access at Smith-Hazel.  You can reserve a court via the Odell sign up.

 

Where - Montclair Park, 3304 Crane Ferry Road, Augusta, Ga.  When - September 11-13, 2020

Brackets 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 WD, MD, MXD, 4.5 MD and Mens/Womens singles

Register online at SignUpGenius.Com then type in "arheins@gmail.com" in search box.

Contact Anne Rheins 706-399-4958 for additional information.

 

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