Pickleball

Try a New Sport for Exercise

Getting regular exercise is difficult for so many people, mainly because they get bored with the same routine. There are only so many walks, jogs, bike rides, and gym equipment machines that the average person can stand. Take up a new sport to get in more exercise. Learning something new takes time and practice, so boredom will no longer be a reason for sitting on the couch. It is also exciting to begin something fresh and build upon skills as time goes by. Some games, like pickleball can be played with two or four players, so it is possible to play as a family, or get a group of friends together and check it out.

The game began in the 1965 by kids in the backyard, and was quickly picked up by adults. It has elements of table tennis, tennis, and badminton, and is played with solid paddles. A perforated polymer ball, similar to a whiffle ball, is served underhanded across a net. The game can be played in singles or doubles, and is enjoyed by children and adults of all skill levels. The court is twenty feet wide and forty-four feet long, much like a doubles badminton court. The net is thirty-four inches high in the middle, and thirty-six inches high at either end. Points can only be scored by the person, or team, that serves the ball. One point is given if the opponent(s) fail to return the ball after one bounce, or it is hit out of bounds. The first side that scores eleven points, and is in the lead by at least two points, wins the game. Tournament play goes up to fifteen or twenty-one points, with players switching sides half way through the game.

Learning the rules of the game, getting advice on choosing a paddle, and finding a team or league can be done online. There is an International Federation of Pickleball and a USA Pickleball Association. Equipment, gear, and accessories will probably not be found at the local sporting goods or department store, since the sport is not as popular as soccer, golf, tennis, baseball, basketball, or racquetball. Online stores, like wolfe sports, for example, carry a wide selection of paddles, balls, and accessories, as well as equipment bundles to help people get started with the sport. Learning something fun will make exercise exciting, rather than a dreaded chore.