All ages and abilities can enjoy pickleball as a sport. It's easy to learn, fun to play, and healthy! Pickleball is a cross between badminton and tennis, played on a court about the size of a basketball court with a net lower than in doubles tennis. Pickleball is played with a plastic whiffle ball and paddles that resemble miniature ping pong paddles. There are three ways to play: singles, doubles, and mixed doubles (two men playing against two women). If you want to learn how to play pickleball, here are some tips:
Pickleball Lessons
Get some practice time in before you take a lesson. This game is fast-paced, and practicing with the ball is essential before learning to play pickleball. Ensure you have a partner or two ready to play with during a lesson. You can use this opportunity to practice your newly discovered skills with someone else on the court, which will help you retain them better than if you were practicing alone.
Ask questions! If something confuses or bothers you about the game of pickleball, don't be afraid to ask your instructor about it during your lesson time! No question is too small or insignificant, so don't hold back from asking anything that comes to mind!
Get the Right Equipment
This is an essential step in the process. You must ensure you get the right size, weight, and paddle shape for your hands. If it is too heavy or light, you will have difficulty with your swing and might hurt yourself. The best way to do this is to go to a store selling pickleball equipment and try different paddles.
If you are still determining which one suits you best, ask someone who knows about these things to help you. They can recommend a few different models and help you choose one that will be comfortable for you to use for a long time.
Find a Good Court
Find an excellent open court with an adequate number of nets. You don't want to play on a court with only two catches and no backboard because keeping track of the ball will be difficult. Also, if fewer people are playing, it might be easier for new players to get comfortable.
The best pickleball courts have the following:
- Good lighting - Bright lighting makes it easier for players to see the ball and each other.
- Good sight lines - Players shouldn't have to worry about hitting each other or hitting their shot while playing.
- Sound footing - Pickleball is played on hardwood courts instead of carpet, so your shoes should stick well enough that you don't slip while running or changing direction.
- A good net: should be high enough that shots can't hit it directly from the back end of the court but low enough that shots going over the net don't hit it either.
The sport of pickleball is proliferating in popularity. It is a fun and friendly game that can keep you fit and active and meet new friends. If it is something you have never tried before, then it is time to see what all the fuss is about. So visit your nearby club, find a friend who already plays, and learn how to play pickleball.