Pickleball enthusiasts attend clinic hosted by top rated player at The Courts Cape Coral
The reputation as a top pickleball destination for The Courts Cape Coral took another leap forward this past week when top women’s doubles player Allyce Jones hosted a two-day clinic for pickleball enthusiasts in Southwest Florida.
The clinic attracted about 35 pickleball enthusiasts looking to improve the nuances of their game.
Jones focused mainly on the swing and footwork. She explained how improvement in racket technology has allowed the players to create topspin, relatively new to pickleball.
“Because of the new paddles we have that allow you to grip more, you can create spin. When we first came into pickleball we didn’t have any grip so players had to push the ball more and couldn’t spin it as much. So when I was learning and watching the high level players, the spin was more like a tennis shot,” said Jones “So now the top players are hitting it more like a tennis stroke versus a pickleball push. So I started doing that about a year and a half ago, doing more spin. Tennis and pickleball translate a lot and people don’t know without pickleball instruction.”
Jones’ background as a high level tennis player helps her teach players how to create that spin, important on a short court like pickleball.
She also possesses a natural gift to coach. She said it’s one thing to know what you’re talking about but being able to have a player grasp what you’re trying to teach is so rewarding.
“There’s nothing better than seeing something click and they have instant joy because they figured it out,” said Jones, who holds about 12 clinics a year working around her Professional Pickleball Association schedule. “That brings me the ultimate happiness. It’s been that way ever since I was young when I started coaching when I was 18.”
Jones said she tries to see the strengths and weaknesses in player’s games and focus her coaching on those aspects.
“For example, I grabbed someone during the clinic that was staying more open stance. So I asked her sports background and she said softball. So I said when you stand in the batters box, you turn. That clicked with her. So I’m being able to transfer based off the person you have and be able to know what clicks for them is huge.”
Brook Hollan attended the clinic hoping to fine tune her game.
“I want to learn more technique. I started in tennis then started rec play in pickleball about 18 months ago and I just never had anyone help correct me or do anything to improve. It’s kind of hard when you don’t know what you’re doing,” said Hollan. “The tips she’s given are very technical which helps a lot.”
Jason Smith is the director of communications for The Courts. He was instrumental in bringing Jones to Cape Coral. They had established a professional relationship at the Professional Pickleball Association tournament held a few years ago in Cape Coral. An equipment “malfunction” — Jones had lost her paddle — led to a friendship that continues to this day.
“It’s a funny story how we met,” said Smith. “She had lost her paddle that ended up being at our front desk. I think my comment to her was, ‘Don’t you have 20 of them?’ And she said, ‘I just love my paddle.’ That’s how we met, and we talked briefly, exchanged phone numbers. I can’t remember who reached out to who, but we thought it was a really good idea to play. I thought it was a really good idea to bring somebody of her caliber of coaching to the members here at Cape Coral. I think it’s a good thing for the community and for our members”
Jones, ranked in the top 20 in women’s pickleball doubles, accomplishments are undeniable. In high school she played softball, won two tennis state championships and a volleyball state championship and was awarded the Utah Valley MVP.
She went on to play volleyball at Utah Valley University where she set several defensive records and won several awards including Conference Defensive Player of the Year, UVU Female Athlete of the Year and UVU Crowd Pleaser of the Year.
Following her college career, she became a teacher and volleyball coach. She won four state championships and won NFHS Coach of the Year for the West Region of the United States.
Smith believes Jones loves coaching as much as playing.
“Not only is she an incredible player, she’s an incredible coach,” said Smith. “The little bit I played against her, my game improved just from the pointers she gave us. She’s a natural coach. She was like, do this, do that. She’s very much, I would say, a coach first then a player. Don’t get me wrong, she enjoys playing but I think she really enjoys coaching.”
Smith has ambitions to attract other professionals to The Courts, both pickleball and tennis.
“I continue to see the PPA coming back year after year, hopefully even expand that to some lower level PPA challenger tournaments, we talk about bringing a professional tennis tournament here. I would eventually like to bring some tennis professionals here to do a tennis clinic. Everything we do is a simple decision, if it improves the health and the economic vitality of the community then yes we’re going to do it,” said Smith
The Courts Cape Coral is a hot bed for pickleball. It has recently been recognized as one of the top spots in Southwest Florida and the Southeast U.S., also recognized as the top pickleball area in the country.
Lisa Zuk, general manager of The Courts, attributes that to the facility Cape Coral built.
“They built a beautiful facility. The one good thing we hear about that distances us from other facilities is the amenities we have, full cafe, pro shop, a large shaded area, We’re very central with our cafe. They were smart the way they built it between tennis and pickleball. A great design really,” said Zuk. “Second, I attribute a lot to the team. Everyone works hard and are very creative. One thing I always personally say is I’m very keen on offering something for everyone. I want all levels and abilities, from the tiny tots up to somebody in their 90s, also social activities. I think we’re finding more ways to combine the on-court activities with the social activities. I believe that is very popular with those who take part.”
You can go to The Courts Cape Coral website at https://playthecourtscapecoral.com/ for additional information on upcoming events, which include:
• Currently taking place is the weekly summer camp for kids running through July 24 for both tennis and pickleball
• Summer Sizzler Pickleball tournament for club members June 25, 26 and 27
• Junior Summer Sizzler in mid-July
• USTA tennis tournament the end of August for level 6 players
• Tennis Mixer July 2 with brunch and Wimbledon watch party
• 2nd year anniversary of The Courts Cape Coral in August (a themed event to be determined)
• Alzheimer’s Awareness Tournament for members this October
• The PPA championships return in February 2027
The Courts Cape Coral is located at 420 S.W. 2nd Ave., off Santa Barbara Boulevard at Lake Kennedy. Call (239) 574-0808 for more information.