Madison 2.0+ Level Open Play (Unreserved) Pickleball at Gorgeous Garner Park!

2.0+ level pickleballers, join fun fresh autumn end of our outdoor season games! We can (1) get in line together at the 1 open (unreserved) court and/or (2) check the other courts to see if they have been reserved.

Meet inside the courts next to the fence with slots for paddles to get in line (center of all courts, entrance side). You can put paddles by the sign that says "next."

I try to post a comment if I'm late; my bus/bike can take an extra 10 min. I encourage you to introduce yourselves and warm up/start playing without me.

Please bring courage if you want to check with other players to see if the courts they're on are reserved (the 1 with the sweet cream dog is for the season) and some balls (if you have them). I have 2 extra paddles (let me know if you need 1) and 6 balls. If the courts remain taken, we'll improvise.:)

I suggest walking/biking/busing/parking near S. Kenosha Drive, which has free street parking and intersects the bottom of the park hill. You can enter there then go up the trail(s) to the courts. It's a beautiful, peaceful journey!

A photograph of you clearly showing your face and using your preferred name in your profile help us find/recognize/refer to you.

If you have limited experience (1.6), are starting out (1.3), or have not played (1.0), we could have separate courts or match each experienced player with an inexperienced 1 in groups of 4. "Athletic" newbies, i.e., those who quickly learn to play sports, tend to do best. I'm 2.0+ and have taught basics to both my more and less athletic friends though.

I learned from my favorite gym teachers; a hardcore MSCR instructor; and Richard, 1 of our generous organizers, who hosted my 1.6 newbie Meetup (thanks!).

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Richard can tell you about his classes, his delightful wife's coaching (and solid tips at events!), and joining Capital Area Pickleball Association: a nonprofit promoting the best sport (imo) and advocating for more courts.

Notes from Richard are below:

ABOUT THIS BEGINNER (2.0) EVENT
This is a Beginner session, for people who’ve been through the Intro, Learner, and Newbie courses and need lots of practice against comparable opponents to develop muscle memory and reflexes.
• 5% info: how this session will be organized; helpful hints and reminders
• 95% play: get in lots of doubles games

Some people will be learning by observing, so we’ll keep things moving by playing only to 9, win by 1, and then we'll bring in 2 fresh players from the sidelines and everyone will rotate one position clockwise. This will maximize playing time, and everyone will get to play with and against everyone else.

RSVPs: We mean it!
Do show up if you said “Yes” and don’t if you didn’t. If it turns out you can’t make it, change your RSVP to “No” in case there’s anyone on the waitlist.

You’ll need are a paddle and your tennies!

You may want to bring a cap, a source of hydration, maybe dark glasses, and possibly your smartphone, since you’ll be meeting other comparable-level players with whom you can trade contact info to set up your own games. (And, of course, you can click on the “Members” link on this group’s home page to contact people you’ve met at one of our events to set up your own playdates.)

Cancellations
If the weather looks iffy, we’ll send a go/no-go message 3 hours before start time to everyone on the RSVP list (attenders as well as waitlisters). The Madison Pickleball home page describes our criteria for cancellation.

Sequence of levels
Intro (1.0) • never played before (or very little) • 1 session • max 6 players • 1½ hours
Learner (1.3) • been thru the Intro session • 1 session • max 12 players • 1½ hours
Newbie (1.6) • been thru Intro and Learner sessions • 1 session • max 12 players • 1½ hours
Beginner (2.0) • been thru all 3 intro courses • 6-8 sessions • 8-18 players • 2 hours
Developing (2.5) • done with Beginner • many sessions • 8-18 players • 2 hours
Novice (3.0) • done with Developing • many sessions • 8-18 players • 2 hours
Intermediate (3.5) • done with Novice • many sessions • 8-18 players • 2 hours

HINTS AND REMINDERS
•safety first
•don’t run backwards
•holler “ball” if a ball rolls onto a court in play (OK to wait until play is over if it rolls behind the court)
•account for sun, wind, left-handed opponents
•announce the score before serving, and loudly enough for your opponents to hear it
•serve and stay; return and run
•keep your eye on the ball from the moment it leaves your opponent’s paddle
•assume ready position at the kitchen line
•shoulder high, let it fly
•hit ’em where they ain’t
•hand signals for in or out
•talk to your partner
•move as a team (elastic-band connection)
•OK to double-hit the ball on a single stroke
•OK to hit a shot “around the post” (ATP)
•who serves first (probably depends on which court you’re on; you would know)
•player who started serving (or started receiving serve) is always on the right when team’s score is an even number
•not very windy today, try lobs