Dereck is a former table tennis, badminton, and tennis player turned “pickleball addict.” He is also a data analyst, IPTPA Certified Teaching Professional, USAPA Certified Referee, and USAPA Registered Pickleball Referee Trainer. His passion for the game and skills as a referee have landed him for two years as the referee of gold medal matches at the US Open. 

Today, Dereck and I discuss his experience as a referee, some of the 2021 rule changes, and he offers tips to players like you who are playing recreationally or considering a tournament. This will certainly not be the last time I have Dereck on the show so stay tuned for more from today’s knowledgeable guest.

Show Notes:

• [1:32] - Dereck shares his background in sports and through these sports he found that later he already had the foundations for pickleball.
• [2:27] - His entry into pickleball was an amusing experience as Dereck found a new rec center near his home.
• [3:31] - After going to a pickleball class in 2017, Dereck describes himself as an all-around pickleball addict now.
• [4:40] - Dereck describes how he decided he wanted to referee.
• [6:14] - Dereck shares a humorous story of his first refereeing experience. His mistakes motivated him to learn more and eventually seek certification.
• [7:35] - Something a lot of people don’t know is that Dereck failed the certification test the first time he took it.
• [9:20] - In 2019, Dereck reffed the US Open in gold medal matches. He describes it as a little nerve-wracking, but he did well and was asked to ref again just last month for the 2021 US Open.
• [11:17] - Dereck explains how he learned of the honor of reffing gold medal matches.
• [13:11] - “It’s never the same. It could be the same players but situations always arise that challenge you to have to scurry your brain for the applicable rule and apply it there on the spot.” - Dereck Prince
• [14:01] - Knowing all the rules at a moment’s notice is a challenge because Trey points out that rules change in this game often.
• [15:06] - Trey and Dereck discuss drop serves and the provisional rule change to allow anyone to use it. 
• [16:37] - Referees have to closely watch serves and Dereck compares some of the serves to those in tennis and why they are not all allowed.
• [17:58] - Footfalls on the kitchen line still continue to be the single biggest problem in rec play and some tournament play. Without a referee, it is near impossible to monitor.
• [19:30] - Dereck explains how a lot of people try too hard to impart spin in the ball through a drop serve.
• [21:30] - Regarding the recent 2021 rules changes, Dereck describes some of the changes that have had negative reactions from referees.
• [23:25] - Dereck has had the unfortunate experience of ending a match over a rule change that is difficult to adhere to.
• [25:09] - If the wrong score is called, players have until the third shot to stop play. Dereck explains why players should play through completion and correct scores after.
• [26:13] - Dereck describes a problematic rule in which a player must see a space between the line and the ball before they can call the ball out.
• [27:37] - Referees are impartial and do not engage in verbal confrontation with players.
• [29:29] - Referees make sure that matches are “clean” and without profanity on the court. They can issue one verbal warning per game and if after that, profanity can then warrant a technical warning or fault.
• [31:20] - If you serve the ball prior to the referee calling the score completely, it is not a fault. It is simply a reserve.
• [32:27] - Technical faults can also be given for abusive or damaging behavior.
• [34:24] - What happens when you ask a referee a question? Dereck illustrates when and how this should happen appropriately.
• [36:37] - Dereck shares a pet peeve of his when notifying players of time left.
• [38:39] - Trey and Dereck describe the difference between recreational play and tournaments.
• [40:24] - Use the time-outs available to you and use the full minute before getting back on court. 
• [41:19] - If you are not familiar with stacking and switching, Dereck advises not to do it during a tournament because there is no forgiveness.
• [42:12] - Dereck recommends to get used to using server bands during recreational play because in tournaments, that is what referees look at.
• [44:08] -  There is one rule book that governs rec play and tournament play. Many times you will hear the comment that it is just rec play. That is not right. The rules are the rules and they apply to both.

Links and Resources:

• Pickleball Hut
• Instagram 
• Facebook

In this episode of Dinking Out Loud, we have Lucy Kitcher, a pickleball pro since 2017. In addition to competing in tournaments herself, Lucy has experience organizing tournaments all over the country, but her passion is organizing all-inclusive and surprisingly affordable pickleball trips. These trips are fabulous opportunities for players to improve their skills, travel, and have a blast learning from a pro.

Listen on to find out more about the benefits of tournaments and how to take advantage of a Lucy Kitcher pickleball trip.

Show Notes:

• [1:13] - Lucy shares her beginning of playing pickleball about 5 years ago. She checked out the sport and never put the paddle down.
• [1:55] - Starting her first tournament and finding success, Lucy took a sabbatical from her teaching job to focus on pickleball.
• [3:14] - LucyKitcher.com is now up and running for tournaments, resources, trips, and a contact form to reach Lucy.
• [4:38] - In the beginning, pickleball started out as a hobby and a way to take great trips with friends. But as Lucy started playing with better players and it grew her desire to compete in higher levels.
• [6:27] - A lot of players who decide to play in a tournament, play down a level for better chances at winning. For Lucy, she says she would rather play against better players and not win than not giving it a shot.
• [7:32] - During the pandemic isolation last year, Lucy set up a net in her living room and created daily tips for players while they dealt with being stuck at home.
• [9:16] - Lucy started in 2017 hosting trips. The key to making them successful is that they are affordable. Lucy describes what’s included in the price.
• [11:02] - A lot of people have said that she should raise her prices, but Lucy’s goal is to give players an affordable way to improve their skills.
• [11:31] - Lucy describes a typical day on a trip including how she divided groups.
• [12:22] - There were several trips that had to be cancelled last year due to the pandemic, but Lucy shares that she started them back up in November and has had one each month since.
• [13:10] - These trips sell out very quickly. If you are interested in booking one, you can find the details on Lucy’s website.
• [14:32] - Lucy describes the work involved in being a tournament organizer.
• [15:48] - Although a lot of work, Lucy says the best part of organizing a tournament is seeing the players having a great time.
• [17:33] - Outside of pickleball, Lucy shares that she loved bike riding and trapeze. It helps with core strength and balance.
• [19:52] - Lucy shares tips for players and examples of what players may not know going into a paddle sport.

Links and Resources:

• Pickleball Hut
• LucyKitcher.com
• Lucy Kitcher Pickleball on Facebook

That’s why I asked Jack Kasarjian and John Grantuskas on for today’s episode on Paddle Playability. Jack is the founder of Third Shot Drop Custom Pickleball Paddles whose mission is to make you a better player by getting the right equipment in your hands. John is a court ambassador in the Mid-Atlantic region for Third Shot Drop who does demos with players of all skill levels to show the benefits of custom paddles.

Show Notes:

• [1:17] - The mission of Third Shot Drop is to make you a better player by getting the right equipment in your hands that was made for you. Not a one size fits all.
• [2:13] - Jack shares how he was inspired to create Third Shot Drop and how pickleball paddles were very commercialized.
• [3:01] - Jack also has a custom baseball equipment company as well, but discovered that custom pickleball equipment is much more difficult to develop.
• [4:25] - Pickleball is the only sport that players are using off the shelf, one-size-fits-all paddles. All other sports are using equipment that fits each athlete.
• [6:40] - The core materials are 75% of the way the paddle performs. The surface materials are just fine tuning that core.
• [7:10] - Jack describes some different types of core materials and how they compare to each other.
• [8:49] - There are 18 different combinations of paddle materials. Jack describes a few of the combinations and what kinds of players choose each kind.
• [10:12] - Jack recommends heavier paddles and explains why this is.
• [11:48] - The shape of the paddle should be determined by the type of player you are. What shape is the best for how you play? Jack gives examples of how the shape of the paddle changes your game.
• [13:23] - John describes the process of trying various materials to determine the perfect combination for each player.
• [16:09] - John also explains that in the paddle demos, they also find the correct grip size for each player.
• [17:05] - It is not uncommon for players to change their style of gameplay and skill level over time. This could influence the perfect paddle as well.
• [18:40] - Depending on how often you play, your average paddle lasts about 8 to 12 months. After that, the paddle will start to have dead spots, especially the off-the-shelf manufactured paddles.
• [19:38] - Get more than one paddle and alternate using each one every time you play.
• [20:52] - Jack describes why he uses a youth paddle or “training paddle” to warm up.
• [22:18] - The goals of the player makes a huge difference on the paddle needed to be successful. Jack gives examples of why people are choosing to play.
• [24:13] - The hardest part is for a player to evaluate their gameplay.
• [25:19] - Jack gives examples on the increase in skill level when using a custom paddle. The changes are visible and remarkable and almost instantaneous.
• [28:15] - Everybody typically uses whatever comes on the paddle they bought off the shelf. The process of customizing a paddle is eye opening.
• [29:20] - Have an open mind. Don’t have any preconceived notions about what you think you will like. Try them out and feel what works best for you.

Links and Resources:

• Pickleball Hut
• Third Shot Drop Web Page

Links and Resources:

• Pickleball Hut

Interview with Jeaney Garcia on mental toughness and positive mindset for Pickleball