Pickleball

Have you ever heard of Pickleball before? Perhaps this is the first time you have ever heard of it. Or maybe you have seen your local tennis courts overrun with dozens of people at all hours of the day not playing tennis, and it has piqued your interest. Or it could be that you are already a part of the ever-increasing number of Pickleball addicts. As any Pickleball player will attest, once you’ve tried it, you are hooked!’

Pickleball is a fun and exciting sport that combines elements of Badminton, Tennis and Ping Pong. It is played on a court the size of a Badminton court, with a low net similar to Tennis, and with what looks like an oversized ping pong paddle and a whiffle ball.

Pickleball is actually the fastest growing sport in the United States. The Due to high demand, many cities are reconfiguring their tennis courts into Pickleball courts. Many schools open their doors after hours for Pickleball leagues to have a place to play in the winter. People have created courts in parking lots, just to have the opportunity to play! But Pickleball is not just growing here, it is expanding across the entire globe.This competitive paddle sport is picking up speed for a number of reasons. It is known for its ease of learning and appeal to all ages. Anyone can play this sport! Whether they are looking for a fun game, a healthy exercise, or intense competition, Pickleball has the ability to fulfill all of these desires. Pickleball players are known for their strong communal focus. And very little equipment is needed to play the game. How many more reasons do you need?

This competitive paddle sport is picking up speed for a number of reasons. It is known for its ease of learning and appeal to all ages. Anyone can play this sport! Whether they are looking for a fun game, a healthy exercise, or intense competition, Pickleball has the ability to fulfill all of these desires. Pickleball players are known for their strong communal focus. And very little equipment is needed to play the game. How many more reasons do you need?

Why You Should Play

The main jist of Pickleball is to hit the ball back and forth over a net. It really is that simple. Click here to watch a short video on how to play here. With even a basic understanding of the game, anyone can jump in and play competitively even without lessons. Pickleballers are known for their desire to teach others about the game. If you stop by a tournament, ask someone to explain the game as you watch a match. Or head over to your local Pickleball courts and ask to join a game. Players love explaining the game to beginners!

One of the best aspects of the game is the social atmosphere of camaraderie. Teammates and opponents are closer together on a smaller court, which makes for great interaction. The jokes and wisecracks make Pickleball entertaining. But the encouragement between competitors is what makes Pickleball unique. It is considered customary to commend your opponent’s shot in the middle of a game. We need more of this in other sports!

One of the best aspects of the game is the social atmosphere of camaraderie. Teammates and opponents are closer together on a smaller court, which makes for great interaction. The jokes and wisecracks make Pickleball entertaining. But the encouragement between competitors is what makes Pickleball unique. It is considered customary to commend your opponent’s shot in the middle of a game. We need more of this in other sports!

Anyone can play Pickleball! Pickleball has grown in leaps and bounds in recent years. It first began to grow rapidly in senior communities. Schools now implement Pickleball in physical education classes and after school programs. Pickleball levels the playing field between age groups and athletic backgrounds. Grandparents and their grandchildren can play together competitively! What other sports let multiple generations play together?

The sport is not about power or speed exclusively. It is a sport of strategy and patience. The majority of the game is played close to the net, which means less time running around and longer rallies! The court is smaller than tennis, so many people are gravitating to Pickleball because of the lower physical strain. It is a competitive, yet fun way to stay healthy.

History

The origin of Pickleball is rather unique and includes a full-blown debate as to the beginnings of its name. It was originally created by a group of friends, over fifty years ago, who wanted to play badminton, but did not have all of the proper equipment. So they improvised with the equipment they had and ended up creating a sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis and ping pong. It is played on a badminton size court, but with a lower net similar to tennis. You hit a wiffle-type ball over the net with paddles that look like oversized ping pong paddles. With the rapid wear down of the ping pong paddles, one of the men decided to make his own paddles from wood in his basement.

Pickleball? Why on earth would anyone name a serious sport Pickleball? This is the most hotly debated issue in Pickleball. There are two plausible stories as to its genesis. One side says it is named after one of the founder’s dogs, Pickles. He kept running off with the ball in between plays, so everyone called it Pickles’ ball. The other side of the story is that it borrows the term from oarsmen. A ‘pickle boat’ in oaring is the boat manned by members from competing teams who are substitutes or leftovers. So pickle is a salute to Pickleball’s eclectic conglomeration of other sports’ leftovers.

To learn the full history of Pickleball, check out the article written by Kurtis Campbell here: PlayPickleball.com/history.

Equipment

As long as you have a hard surface, you can play Pickleball anywhere. It has been played on gym floors, concrete, asphalt, tennis courts, and carpet. Some people even set up courts in their neighborhood streets! The net is 34 inches in height. Fun fact: this height was originally chosen because it was the height of one of the founder’s waistline. He would stand next to the net to make sure the net height was correct.

The only equipment that is truly necessary to play Pickleball is a paddle and Pickleball. There are indoor and outdoor versions of Pickleballs. They look just like wiffle balls. Originally, paddles were made of plywood. A necessary skill at the high levels of Pickleball play is quick hands. A heavy wooden paddle slows the reaction time, so a new type of paddle was created while keeping to the traditional shape of the wooden paddles. Most paddles, currently, have a polymer honeycomb core with either a fiberglass or graphite surface.

For more information on how to choose a paddle or set up a court, check out PlayPickleball.com/get-started/.