Articles written by Jim Lavrakas

Sorted by date  Results 1 - 11 of 11



When and how to 'reset' play in pickleball

So, you're out there banging away at your opponents and they're banging it right back at you. Something's got to give as the speed of the ball and the pace of the return continues to climb. You see...

 
 By Jim Lavrakas    Columns    July 1, 2023

Focus your pickleball on 'high percentage' shots

Whether you've played a racquet sport in the past, or are new to pickleball, hitting the ball without thinking about what kind of shot you're hitting is a typical mindset of the amateur player....

 
 By Jim Lavrakas    Columns    May 1, 2023

Joining or starting a pickleball club

There's something to be said for strength in numbers. Joining a club where you live, or where you go to vacation, even on short visits, gives you that advantage of numbers: New people to play with,...

 
 By Jim Lavrakas    Columns    March 1, 2023

Choosing the best pickleball paddle for you

This column is primarily for beginners who want to buy their first paddle, but don't know where to start. I recommend buying a less expensive paddle to get you going just to see if this game is for...

 

Pickleball etiquette: Know these basics

If you're new to pickleball, or just need a refresher course on how to behave (you know who you are), here are well-accepted rules for behavior before, during and after play. These basic rules were...

 

Improving your recreational pickleball play

We can all get stuck in a comfort zone. Trying new things and changing old habits can be a challenge at any age, but as we get older our attitude can become inflexible. Like continuing to try to hit...

 

Pickleball insights: 'It's all about your head'

A friend of mine recently sent me an excerpt from "Open: An Autobiography," by Andre Agassi, the retired tennis professional. In it he talks about the mental battle he learned to fight after finding...

 
 By Jim Lavrakas    Local    July 1, 2022

A unique pickleball opportunity in Fairbanks

The Alaska International Senior Games (AISG) is the official Alaska state qualifier for pickleball for the National Senior Games Assoc. (NSGA), which is a national organization of athletes age 50 and...

 
 By Jim Lavrakas    Columns    May 1, 2022

Move smart to avoid pickleball injuries

I've hurt myself a couple of times playing pickleball, and each time it could have been avoided. Moving too quickly – lunging, twisting and throwing myself on the ground - caused lower back pain,...

 
 By Jim Lavrakas    Travel    March 1, 2022

Add pickleball to your Hawaii itinerary

Playing Pickleball in Hawaii is just what you'd think: Pleasant weather, tropical breezes, and usually a wonderful, welcoming group of people to play with. It can also be a place where you take the...

 

See for yourself why pickleball is so popular

When I turned 65-years-old, I stopped playing pickup basketball at the local high school here in Homer. I was just getting too beaten up. Not by the 20 and 30-something youngsters I was playing with,...

 

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024

Rendered 03/15/2024 22:12