THE PICKLE POST
PRESCOTT PICKLEBALL ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
MARCH 2026
UPDATES
What’s Your Player Skill Rating?
PPA is actively updating all information on our database and within PPA standards and procedures. This will allow us the ability to offer greater levels of play and ensuring players are at the right levels.
When was the last time you checked your player skill rating in your PPA player profile? If it’s been a while, take a look and update if necessary. Here’s how:
Click here to login into your membership profile (or login if you are not already, then click “edit profile” (under My Profile). Scroll down to “Individual Skill Rating” and update your rating.. Then be sure to hit “save.”
Thank you in advance for helping us keep information up-to-date and accurate.
2026 PPA Membership Renewal
March Deadline - LAST CALL
Membership Renewal notices were sent out and all members who have yet to renew should have received the notice. We are keeping our cost down, which allows us to offer the same great price for a yearly membership as we have offered the last few years. Just simply respond to the email and it will prompt you to renew, or click below. You also have the choice of printing off an invoice and mailing it in. All information is explained when you log in to your profile from the email link.
It is important to renew your membership in order to enjoy all the benefits PPA has to offer! March is the deadline to Renew
NEW NEWS
Volunteer of the Month
Our volunteers are the life-blood of our organization and PPA wants to take the opportunity to celebrate them! Each month we will highlight someone from our amazing pool of volunteers we are privileged to have make PPA a great Pickleball destination. This month we highlight Carll Frye!
Carll has been with PPA for a number of years and is an instrumental part of our competitive play structure. Not only does Carll, along with his wife Robyn, captain our very robust 3.5 competitive round robin group, but he is the author of the program that keeps track of scores, promotions, etc. for all the other captains. This
program has allowed a very structured format for the captains to move players around depending on their abilities and strengths taking the guess work out of it. Carll is very active in the pickelball community, not only at PPA, but at his association courts. Carll's positive attitude is loved by all that know him. Thank you Carll for all the work you have given PPA through your various volunteer functions!
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION
Our next new member orientation will be held on March 7 at Pioneer Park Pavilion starting at 9:00 am. This is a great time to learn more about PPA, how we work, and all the programs that are open to you. Don't forget to bring your paddle as some Pickleball play will be part of the time spent together.
We will also be having our "Lucky Charms Social Round Robin" at the same time and will be a great opportunity to see some of the awesome programs PPA has to offer.
Any questions, please email prescottpickleball@gmail.com.
EVENTS
Pickle for the Pets - 2026
We are excited to announce that as part of our community outreach PPA will be sponsoring this tournament in order to support our community partners at the Yavapai Humane Society. The tournament will be held at Pioneer Park on June 5-7 and will include doubles, mixed and skinny singles. Be sure to register early to take advantage tournament discount. More info click here
Lucky Charms Pickleball Fest
Date: March 7, 2026
Time: 9:30 - 12:30
Location: Pioneer Park
These events are one of the most popular activities that we offer. It fills up fast and this one is no different. While it is still full, we do have a waitlist for you to join. This is a social event with players of all levels playing each other in a fun format and is not considered competitive. Great way to meet fellow PPA members. Click here to join the waitlist!
As a note, if you are currently signed up and know for some reason you will be unable to make it, please send us an email at
prescottpickleball@gmail.com so that those on the waitlist can be registered.
Look forward to seeing everyone on the courts!
THE
COACHES
CORNER
The Five P’s of Pickleball
by PJ Janik
Before I get into this week’s Coaches Corner, I want to share with you an observation. Three of my good
friends and fellow pickleball players were playing pickleball at a local HOA court. An older gentleman
approached us after one of the games and said that it was fun to watch us have such a good time out
there. It was one of those moments when we all stopped to reflect on what he just said. We often get
caught up in the competitiveness of the game and forget one of the main things that bring us together
in Pickleball. Just having fun!
I attended an updated coach’s clinic the other day and the instructor asked us if we knew and
incorporated the five P’s of Pickleball. The topic both caught my interest and stumped me, so I listened
to what came up and have now added it to my regular lessons.
1. PATIENCE: Wait for the ball to come to you! Sometimes, easier said than done. But by rushing up
on the ball, you risk hitting the ball while you are not firmly planted. In addition, when you are
just drilling or practicing a particular skill, hit the ball on your terms. This is probably one of the
few times where you don’t have to make lemonade out of lemons. Let the ball caught by the
wind go!
2. PLACEMENT: Putting the ball where you want it to go is more important than guessing where it
might go! Control over power wins games. The soft shot is relevant! Hitting shots to your
opponents’ feet, especially the inner sides of their feet is almost unreturnable.
3. POSITIONING: Take note where you are when you serve. Give yourself several feet behind the
baseline so you can better react to the deep return. When you approach and set up at the Non-
Volley Zone, take a check where your feet are. (I typically like to be 3” from the line to avoid any
foot fault issues)
4. POACHING: Poaching is creating a shot from you that was not intended for you to take.
Remember the first P of Pickleball, “patience.” If the opportunity is not ideal for poaching, let
your partner take it! Poaching has its time and place!
5. POLITENESS: Pickleball is built around this concept. Sportsmanship is key. You can politely
challenge a call. But there are now rules that govern who can call the ball in or out. Understand
that rule and if it doesn’t work out, let it go! Intentionally trying to hit a player has no place in
social pickleball games.
When I started this article, I mentioned the interaction my friends and I had with the gentleman who
was watching our game. He saw the fun and the politeness we all shared in this game. This is why we
play. Until then, remember it’s just Pickleball!
PJ Janik; is a Certified Pickleball Coaching International coach and authorized City of Prescott Instructor,
a certified Player Skills Evaluator and overall good guy. He provides both private and group lessons as
well as player skills evaluations.
PJ Janik
Instructor
(928) 237-0452 Call/text
