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Welcome FALL! After an unusually warm September, these lower temps are refreshing and PERFECT for pickleball!
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Speaking of September, thanks to all who came out for the Labor Day event at Rockwood Park. These pickleball get-togethers are one of my favorite parts of this community. I met several new players--smiles beaming--which is always exciting. Thank you to everyone who helped set up the tables and decorate, brought food and drink, and kept the games flowing smoothly. Our next scheduled gathering will be the Memorial Day celebration in May.
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This month, there are some interesting happenings in Chesterfield County and around Virginia. So, let’s enjoy the crisp autumn air that makes October a wonderful time to grab your paddle, head to the courts, and enjoy a few friendly rallies with fellow club members.
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- Chesterfield County activities, classes and events
- USA Pickleball rule book available online
- Improving your game: "See Ball, Hit Ball"
- Podcast spotlight: Does Trash Talk Belong in Pickleball?
- Last chance for discounted tickets to watch the pros in Virginia Beach
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Chesterfield County Activities, Classes, and Events
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation offers many valuable activities and events. If you have never looked at the hundreds of offerings, you’re missing out. We have a quick link button to the county’s activity search page at the bottom of each newsletter (along with buttons for the court calendar and pickleball tournaments in case you missed them), but here’s a shortcut.
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When you search specifically for pickleball–the BEST sport–you will see a bunch of upcoming classes and open play. The indoor facilities are a nice option for when it gets too cold to be outside, although there is some debate about whether that applies to players around here (you know who you are).
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As of this writing, there are three openings left in the Pickleball 102 class–taught by yours truly–starting on October 6th. There are also Pickleball 101 and 103 classes starting in October and November.
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You will also see some drop-in play opportunities at Beulah Recreation Center, including an afterschool youth program on Mondays.
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You may have interests outside of pickleball (weird, I know, but some people do). If so, just plug a key word into the search field (e.g. cardio drumming, ghosts, bald eagle tour, archery…). Or search by category: Technology, Finance & Personal Education; Games and Social; History; Arts & Crafts – and so much more.
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One last thought. We can work with Parks and Rec to create a pickleball class tailored to your specific needs. If you have at least four players and you want to set up a class with specific drills, or if you know a group who want to learn to play together, call me at 804-683-8481 and we will set up a new class through the county.
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~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Happening this Week ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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If you have time this week, I also recommend you check out the Outdoors in October series happening at area parks. It’s a great opportunity to meet your county supervisors and let them know how much you appreciate their support of pickleball in our community. Take the kids (either the two-legged or the furry four-legged ones) to “celebrate autumn in the parks with activities for the whole family,” which might include donuts and warm cider, games, and learning to do the Monster Mash. Here’s the list of locations and dates:
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- Beulah Rec Center, Monday, October 5th, 5-6:30pm
- Rockwood Park, Tuesday, October 6th, 5-6:30pm
- Matoaca Park, Wednesday, October 7th, 5-6:30pm
- Robious Landing Park, Thursday, October 8th, 5-6:30pm
- R. Garland Dodd, Friday, October 9th, 5-6:30pm
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Have you ever questioned a rule that someone tried to explain while playing and wanted to look it up afterwards? The most common questions relate to the serve and to kitchen foot faults. But, there’s much more to learn, if you’re interested. Save this link to your phone so you can pull it up whenever you need to look something up: Official USA Pickleball Rulebook.
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Improving Your Game: "See Ball, Hit Ball" Tips
Are you stuck on auto-pilot when playing? Do you instinctively “see ball, hit ball”?
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Maybe you think you need to play with better players to break out of that pattern. If you think you’ll improve by playing up, you’re not wrong, but there's more...
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The experts at The Pickleball Clinic have some thoughts on this that might help you raise your level of play. Click HERE to view the original post and to follow The Pickleball Clinic for more tips.
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Playing with weaker players can also be beneficial, especially at the 3.5 level and below, because many players below the 3.5 level don’t quite know what they’re doing when they’re on the court.
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After the return of serve, the point often deteriorates into a total free-for-all. Maybe you had a plan before the point started, but that plan has gone out the window, and you have entered the world of "see ball, hit ball."
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Maybe you understand what you should be doing, in theory. But the speed of the rally has gotten too fast for your brain to process anything other than, you guessed it, "see ball, hit ball."
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You’re simply in survival mode out there because everything has gotten too fast. You need to slow down. When you play with people a little below your level, it's like playing in slow motion.
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You are no longer rushed, and therefore you are not overwhelmed.
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Consider partnering with some weaker players as an opportunity to slow the game down and become more strategic and intentional with your shots.
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I hope this helps your game play!
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Podcast Spotlight: Does Trash Talk Belong in Pickleball?
This month I thought I would share a podcast that I’ve enjoyed, Mark Renneson’s The Pickleball Coaches Podcast. Don't worry, you don’t have to be a coach to enjoy it – there is a lot of discussion about strategy and skills that players can benefit from.
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I know of Mark, because he’s been through Richmond a number of times to teach clinics, and he seems well-liked and respected. I have listened to a number of episodes, and I recently revisited episode #9 titled “Is Trash Talking Ruining Pickleball?”
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In it, Mark explores the rise of verbal jousts that some think have crossed the line into unsportsmanlike behavior in both pro and amateur pickleball.
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I won’t give away his take on it, so you can enjoy the quick 22-minute listen for yourself. I’ll just say that I have seen the pros on tv starting to snipe a lot more, particularly in Major League Pickleball. However, I haven’t seen trash talking on our courts. The most chirping I’ve noticed is when friends get really hyped and start ribbing on each other, sometimes harshly, but still in fun. So, I wonder if it’s even a problem for the casual rec player? What do you think? Is this a trend that will eventually trickle down to neighborhood courts? Let's hope not.
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Anyway, here’s a link to the trash talking episode on Apple podcasts. You can also find The Pickleball Coach Podcast on YouTube.
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Last Chance for Discount Tickets
See the Pros Play in VA Beach
It’s almost here!! Get ready for an unforgettable week of pickleball action at the PPA Virginia Beach Open sponsored by Mojo Energy Pouches. Tickets start at $25.
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It’s all happening October 12–18 at the amazing 40-court Pickleball Virginia sports complex at 928 S. Birdneck Road in Virginia Beach.
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The biggest names in professional pickleball will be there: Daescu, Sock, Truong, Jansen, Dizon, Fahey are a few who have already committed. The pro draws are continuously updated pending the outcome of this week's tournament. You can find the brackets HERE.
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Guess what? Every PPA stop runs an amateur draw on the same courts as the pros, plus clinics and pro-ams as more ways to be part of event week. We know of at least two local players who are playing in the amateur division!
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As a valued member of the Pickleball Club of Chesterfield County, you can save 15% on spectator tickets. Just use discount code PCCC when purchasing your tickets from Tixr.com.
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Attending a pro event in person is a memorable experience, because you are so close to the action on the court and you get to see your favorite players live!
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I hope you’ll join those of us who already have our tickets. Come look for us in the stands!
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If you have any questions about the tournament, the best resource is the FAQ page on the official tour website. If you have any questions about using the code or need help, feel free to email me at president@chesterfieldpickleball.club.
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Calendar Updates
Every month our dear volunteer Susan Proffitt updates and publishes a comprehensive calendar for us (see link above). I know it can be overwhelming to understand the first time you look at, because there are so many locations and entries, but the color coding helps, so look at the key.
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If you are having trouble finding courts for Open Play right now, please remember that leagues are active but will finish up before Halloween. The league days, times and courts are clearly marked on the calendar in blue.
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We will be adding the courts at Cogbill Park to our calendar, so be sure to consider them when you are making your plans to play. The Cogbill courts and facilities are brand new as of May 2026. There are excellent restrooms, along with a basketball court and a beautiful playground. There are plans to add lights in the near future, too!
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I'm sending out a huge THANK YOU to Dale Vulinec for stepping up to be our PCCC representative at the Chesterfield Outdoor Festival at Pocahontas last Saturday. He did a great job with his friendly personality and knowledge of all things pickleball. We are hoping for a better location next year for more viability, and if we can get more volunteers, that would be wonderful, too.
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As I wrap up this month, I'd like to offer a warm welcome to all the new PCCC members. We've had an influx from Facebook, as well as players who found us via league play. We're glad you're here!
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For anyone playing in the leagues this fall, I hope you have been enjoying it, especially since there were several changes: new leagues, new coordinators, a new court surface and shade curtains at CTC, for starters.
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As many of you know, I am passionate about this sport and bringing it to as many people as possible. I could use your help with that. If you know of any churches or venues willing to offer pickleball, let us work together to set up some play time. This is one of the best ways to bring new people into the game, and also a way to lessen the load at some of the busier existing courts. This sport is too great to keep it to ourselves!
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Let’s work together to continue the growth of pickleball and to make sure that there are courts accessible to as many people as possible.
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