When and Where We Play
OUTDOOR PLAY SPRING-SUMMER-FALL
Orchard Hill Park:
When weather is nice many will play here. The entrance is located at the intersection of McClain and Primrose Drives in Cedar Falls
- Every weekday morning: 7:00 – 10:30 am is for MEMBERS ONLY
*8:30 to 9:15am every weekday morning in June and July, we will have a court available with helpers (Pickleteers) for new or beginning players. - All other times are Open Play (except when the courts are reserved through the CF Rec Center, and these times should be posted at the courts.)
- As the weather changes in the fall, the nets at Orchard will gradually be taken down, with all being removed when the snow flies.
- Please do NOT try to clear snow/ice from the Orchard Courts!
___________________________________________________________________
INDOOR Play Options (which were accurate at this posting but may change.)
FIT Gym 6 courts – 924 Viking Rd, Cedar Falls 319.242.7773
- Hours available – weekday mornings from 5am to 10:30 am
- Membership allows for full access to the Gym on Viking Rd and the FIT Gym near Kohl’s. (There are no courts at the one by Kohl’s.) You can work out and all their fitness classes, showers and childcare are included.
Waterloo Sports Plex
Six courts at 300 Jefferson St Waterloo (319) 291-0165
- They accept the Silver Sneakers program through your health insurance.
- Regular pickleball play is M-F 8am to 11am year-round
CF Rec Center 3 courts 113 E. 13th St. Cedar Falls 319.273.8636
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 7:30-10:30am
Tuesday, Thursday 6:30-8:00am
Nazareth Church Gym 7401 University Ave, Cedar Falls 3 courts– All welcome! FREE
- For info contact Mike Warhurst – 563.340.5104
- Friday 6 to 8pm
- Sunday 4 to 6pm
YMCA – 2 Courts 669 S. Hackett Rd, Waterloo 319.233.3531
- Sunday 12-2:30pm,
- Mon. & Friday 8-11am, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 11:30am-1pm.
Black Hawk Tennis Club – 4 Courts 1005 Black Hawk Rd Waterloo 319-232-7512
- They are open 6am to 10pm M – F and 7-10 on weekends.
Bethany Bible Church – 2 courts– 4507 Rownd St. Cedar Falls All welcome! FREE
- November to April or May.
- Fridays Noon – 2pm
- Questions? TEXT Doug Bonwell at 319.269.6765
_________________________________________________________________
If you choose to play OUTDOORS this winter- Please note!
You CAN shovel the courts at Peet Junior High.
DO NOT shovel or scrape the surface of our dedicated courts at Orchard!!!
Level of Play/Court Etiquette
We accommodate skills ranging from beginner to expert. You get to decide if you would prefer to play at a just-for-fun recreational level or a fight-for-every point competitive level.
Recreational Play:
- Players who wish to learn the game or develop their skills.
- Players who prefer less aggressive, slower paced, more leisurely play.
- Players at this session should expect partners and opponents to play within these parameters.
Beginner Pickleball Play Tips
- Everyone was a beginner and they know what you are going through! We know it is hard not to be intimidated, but play anyway! You will soon learn who you are comfortable playing with. “Beginners” usually play later in the morning – around 8:30.
- The scoring is difficult even when it makes sense. Don’t worry about being confused, the others on the court will help you.
- A good serve does not have to be hard and fast. Try to get it toward the back of the court but keep it in play.
- Keep your eyes laser-focused on the ball. This will help you to return those fast shots.
- Speaking of fast shots – keep your paddle up! It should be up in front of your chest – not down at your side.
- Try to get up to the kitchen line as soon as possible.
- Work on keeping the ball low over the net.
- Check out PickleballChannel.com or YouTube. There are a lot of lessons, rules and help in understanding scoring.
- Most important – Have FUN!!!!
Competitive Play:
- Players who are completely familiar with the game.
- Players who enjoy both strategic slower pace as well as aggressive fast paced play.
- Players at this session should expect their partners and opponents to play every shot for the win, as though it is tournament play.
Obviously, there will be different skill levels on each type of court. You are welcome to play on any court you choose, realizing the type of play there.
Court Etiquette:
Please be considerate of other players! We all want to play and we are all at different levels of skill.
Along with the rules suggested below, please be welcoming to our new players and players of different skill levels. It helps everyone’s game to play with higher level players. That means at times you will play with players of less skill. Use this time to help them and also to work on your “softer” shots. The goal is to make play fun for all!
Please put your paddle in the holder on the court you wish to play on! That will let those players know that you want to play there. At the end of the game, those first two paddle/players will enter the game. If you don’t have a paddle down by a court, players may assume you are resting at the side lines and are not ready to play.
2 In – 2 Out Rule:
If all courts are in use and there are people waiting to play, we will follow the 2 in – 2 out rule. When a game is over, the losers will leave the court. When new players enter to play, the winners would split unless agreed upon by all players to stay together. Try to “level” out the player skill on both sides.
When this game is over, the losers would leave, as well as any player(s) who has played two consecutive games. This system will insure that no one should have to wait too long to play, and players will be able to play multiple games during the daily playing period if they desire.
If courts are very crowded:
We will work on this as we go, but when courts are very busy, it may be declared that games should only go to the score of 9.
We may also declare 4 in 4 out. All four players would leave the court so four more can come in.
Your comments!
We welcome input from our members. If you have suggestions regarding Recreational and Competitive play, or any other item, please talk to a committee member.