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How to Get Started Playing Pickleball
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How to Get Started Playing Pickleball

Pickleball is an exciting and engaging sport rapidly gaining popularity in the US. The sport’s growth over the years is due to its shallow learning curve. Regardless of age, gender, or level of skill, pickleball is a fun and easy sport to try out. Here is a beginner’s guide on how to get started playing pickleball.

What Is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a fun paddle sport that combines features of table tennis, badminton, and tennis. Participants play the sport with a perforated plastic ball or a Wiffle ball over a tennis-style net in a badminton-size court. The sport has a unique set of rules that allows people of all ages and athletic abilities to enjoy it. These guidelines allow senior players to compete against younger rivals successfully. Pickleball is inexpensive and offers several health benefits to its participants. Several schools, community centers, athletic clubs, local parks, and plenty of backyard sporting courts have embraced the sport. Competitors can play in a singles match or doubles match. The doubles have lower physical demands despite involving longer rallies. While the sport is easy to learn, playing styles vary even at the top level. Those who engage in pickleball have plenty of opportunities to learn subtle skills and improve their technique.

How to Get Started

It is crucial to ascertain one’s health status before taking up any new sport or physical activity. Consider getting a check-up by a healthcare provider when managing a medical condition. This advice also applies to players recovering from an injury. New participants with functionally-limiting musculoskeletal issues like arthritis need to be extra cautious when playing. They risk worsening their condition as the sport takes place on a hard surface and features recurrent impact, quick steps, rapid starts, and sudden stops. There is no need to invest in expensive gear when trying the sport. There are plenty of local sporting organizations that rent out courts and equipment. After learning the rules and basic gameplay, anybody seeking to refine their skills can buy equipment for private use. To lower the risk of developing injuries, players need to warm up properly before a game of pickleball. A 5-minute jog or brisk walk is enough to loosen up muscles. Also, acquire protective pickleball shoes, eye protection, and recovery gear to prevent and minimize potential hazards. A good resource is an app called PICKLE CONNECT is an incredible tool for finding courts near you, partners and quality products. Getting involved within your own pickleball community will help you feel more engaged in the sport.

Pickleball Myths

Pickleball has its fair share of myths and misconceptions that are ruining the game’s reputation. Here are a few debunked myths about the sport that accurately describe the unique facts of the game.

Myth 1: Pickleball Is a Sport for Senior People

One common pickleball myth is that pickleball is a sport for older folks. While the sport is quite popular in assisted living communities and retirement homes, participants of all ages enjoy it. The game’s popularity in senior living homes is attributed to its dynamic yet low-impact nature. Anybody can pick up and enjoy the thrill of this exciting sport, owing to its tremendous flexibility.

Myth 2: Pickleball Doesn’t Involve Much Movement

People who watch tennis matches buy into this misconception, since the pickleball court is smaller. Though pickleball doesn’t match the break-neck back and forth exchange seen in tennis, it is far from a stationery sport. Players must be ready to move from side to side, backward, and forward in response to a server. Their arms are in constant motion and need to make dramatic saves or counter volleys at a moment’s notice. Pickleball also keeps the mind and senses in a heightened state. The eyes must keep following the ball while monitoring the boundaries of the legal play area. The ears must remain alert for the sound of a successful hit to the ball while the mind carefully anticipates the rival’s next shot. Meanwhile, reflexes must be poised to hit the ball at the right time.

Myth 3: Pickleball Isn’t a Competitive Sport

Like most sports, pickleball can get really intense and competitive. There are several rapid-fire rounds that end when one player skillfully executes a unique technique or makes a crucial mistake. Playing doubles is incredibly competitive as there are twice as many players moving around to keep up with. Intense rallies require great concentration and can last for hundreds of shots. The sport has an official governing body ( The International Federation of Pickleball-IFP). The IFP organizes competitions and constantly updates the rankings list of pro and semi-pro players.

Myth 4: The More Athletically Gifted Player Always Wins

If pickleball were like tennis, a player with faster feet, a stronger serve, and greater stamina would have higher chances of winning. Pickleball is played differently, as it encourages numerous strategies that enable players of all types to win. Players can hit a tennis ball at speeds of up to 163 mph, while the hardest shots in pickleball reach between 30-40 mph. From an outsider’s point of view, the relaxed pace in pickleball may seem like child’s play. In reality, the slow-paced game forces players to get their timing right, hit with accuracy, and get into the perfect rhythm. Failing to meet these requirements against experienced players often results in defeat.

Equipment needed

Like any other racket sport, players need to acquire specially designed equipment before engaging in pickleball. Pickleball equipment includes:

Pickleball Ball

The pickleball ball is similar to a Wiffle ball as it is lightweight and has numerous holes to enhance aerodynamics. The plastic ball may be between 2.87” to 2.97” in diameter and have 26 to 40 holes. The ball comes in different colors like green, pink, yellow, and white, with brighter colors being more visible and easier to hit. There are two different balls, one for indoor and another for outdoor play. Indoor balls are softer and lighter, with larger and fewer holes, making them easier to control. Outdoor balls are harder and heavier for improved resistance against the hard outdoor pickleball court surface, cold temperatures, and gusts of wind. The balls have smaller and more numerous holes than indoor ones, making them move faster. Pickleball balls tend to crack and wear out on cold days, so having several on hand during a game is advisable.

Pickleball Paddle

Players use pickleball paddles or bats for hitting the ball. The paddle resembles a ping-pong paddle but is bigger, has rounded edges, and has a robust handle. When choosing a paddle, consider buying one that is reliable and durable. Cheap paddles with low-quality materials are less likely to withstand the test of time. Pickleball paddles with wooden handles are less durable, while aluminum paddles are ideal for beginners. Most paddles weigh between 6 to 14 ounces, with heavier ones not necessarily being more durable. Before buying a bat, players must check if the handle settles comfortably in their grip. If the handle is too wide with the grip too big, it can slip out of the player's hand and strain the elbow.

Pickleball Net

The pickleball net that divides the court in two is usually 36” high on the tied ends and 34” high in the middle where it dips. Manufacturers make the net from tough synthetic fiber that is easy to fold and store. Some pickleball courts have fixed nets, while others use portable ones.

Pickleball Court

The pickleball court measures 20 feet by 44 feet, similar to a standard badminton doubles court. The playing area needs to be 30 feet wide and 60 feet long, with service lines dividing the outer courts. The non-volley zone (NVZ) lies 7 feet on either side of the pickleball net.

Pickleball Clothing and Footwear

Pickleball participants should play the game in the appropriate apparel. Loose-fitting and breathable clothes allow players to move about the court freely. Heavy fabrics limit movement and increase the risk of physical strain. Comfortable pickleball shoes with the right fit and proper grip are crucial to preventing injuries in the lower extremities.

Other Pickleball Equipment and Resources

Players may experience strains or sprains to the trunk, lower back, and extremities when playing pickleball. Injuries commonly arise from falls or after a pivoting movement, like sudden turning. Pickleball players can use Muscle MX Activate and Recovery CBD balms when warming up and during recovery. Applying the Muscle MX CBD Activate on muscles, tendons, and joints before an activity ensures optimal performance and prevents injury. Muscle MX CBD Recovery is 100% natural, fast-acting, long-lasting, and has anti-inflammatory properties. This CBD product cools aches and pains to enhance recovery.

The Pickleball Rules and How to Play

The rules of pickleball are simple and easy to pick up.

The serve

The server’s arm must arc upwards when striking the ball, with contact happening below the waist level. The head of the pickleball paddle also remains below the highest part of the wrist. During a ‘drop serve,’ the above rules don’t apply. The serve happens diagonally crosscourt, with each server getting only one serve attempt.

Scoring

Only the serving team scores points. Whoever gets eleven points first, while having more than two points than their opponent, wins the game. Players keep playing until that two point difference between scores is reached. When the serving team has an even-numbered score, the first server moves to the right side of the court and, when odd-numbered, to the left side.

Two-Bounce Rule

The receiving team must allow the ball to bounce before hitting it. The serving team then lets the ball bounce before returning it, hence two bounces.

Non-Volley Zone and Line Calls

When in the NVZ (non-volley zone) position, players are not allowed to execute smashes. A serve falling anywhere except the NVZ is considered “in.”

Faults

A fault is a rule violation that stops play. The serving team earns a point when the receiving team is at fault and vice versa.

Conclusion

Pickleball is an accessible, inclusive, and non-elitist game that transcends social barriers. Now that you know everything you need to play pickleball safely and competitively, it's time to hit the court!

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