2.0+ Unreserved Open Play in Madison's Gorgeous Garner Park!

2.0+ level pickleballers interested in open play during the short spurts of mild (to me, it feels 10 degrees warmer while playing), dry, gorgeous, fresh spring weather, let's get together!

We can (1) get in line at the 1 unreserved* court and/or (2) check the other courts to see if they've been reserved. (*Sometimes the other or all courts are reserved for MSCR classes, tournaments, or Pickleball Association meetings.)

Meet inside the courts next to the fence with slots for paddles (center of all courts, entrance side). There's a sign that says "next"; put paddles there to get in line. The unreserved court is at the entrance closest to the yellow windsock. The courts are below the parking lot by the hill with the playground equipment (and labeled on Google Maps).

Walking/biking/parking near the lovely homes on Kenosha Drive and entering the park by going up the trail on the hill to the courts is beautiful!

I use a PC for Meetup (my phone app crashed), and my bus/bike can take an extra 10 min. If I'm late, I encourage you to introduce yourselves and start warming up and playing without me.

A photograph of you that clearly shows your face, with your preferred name, in your profile helps us recognize/find you.

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

I learned from the greats: my favorite high school gym teachers; a dedicated MSCR instructor; and Richard, 1 of our generous organizers, who hosted my 1.6 newbie Meetup class (thanks!; he hosts classes for other levels too).

Richard can tell you about his talented wife's coaching (thanks for solid tips at events!) and joining Capital Area Pickleball Association: a Dane County nonprofit advocating for us and getting 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