tickled by the pickle
The sound drew me in. It was smoother than thunder and stronger than a mallet at one point, but when the paddle hit that ball, I was instantly captivated, drawn like a moth to a flame. Four people on a badminton court with a very low net. They were positioned as strategic pawns holding rectangular paddles, two standing outside the court at the baseline on one side and on the other side, one person was in the center half of the court while the other was beyond it. the baseline on the other side as ready to receive a serve. He was right and the game was on and it was fast with heavy hits and another strong hit. Now, some people are happy to start a sedentary life once they hit the golden age of 50, but I’m not. I went looking for something fun. It had to be a bit competitive and require familiar athletic skills, but something that wasn’t too stressful on my aging joints and just the right amount of rules so as not to overwhelm my cognitive synapses. The sport of Pickleball was everything I had hoped for and more.
The basics
Before you hit the court, it’s important to know that Pickleball has different skill levels, is an activity for all ages, and you can choose singles, doubles, or mixed doubles. The equipment is minimal but essential. Shoes should be cross-trainers or tennis shoes with flat, durable, non-marking souls that provide stability for side-to-side movement, and the paddle you use should be light enough to present you with tactile options and power. Flexibility is an important aspect of any physical activity. Maintain your optimal functional efficiency by warming up all muscles, joints, and ligaments for greater ease of movement, better skill performance, and less chance of injury. Remember that short, tight muscles limit movement and become sore during physical activity. Every athlete knows the importance of having water available and Pickleball is no exception, hydration will be essential due to the physical demands.
It’s all in the team
The doubles game is perhaps the most fun part of Pickleball. Play involves much more than the techniques or physical abilities of the individual player. The emphasis is on the team, working together using strategies, tactics, and various techniques. In a recent match, my partner asked me, “Why are you trying to kill him? Just put the ball where they’re not.” Make sense. How was I going to curb my enthusiasm? Trusting my partner.
Before diving into more advanced skills like strategy and tactics, I first had to understand the basic formation of Pickleball doubles. Moving with my partner for a better effect. On serve, both players must stand behind the baseline and stay there until the other team returns the ball, then we move down center court together for best effect.
As a rookie player, I tend to make the mistake of staying on my side of the court even when my partner is under pressure. I find myself standing there watching my partner get attacked by the opponents. Lately, I’ve found that as a rookie, experienced players draw the ball the most for me and trust me to make mistakes, often. If that sounds familiar, here’s how to help you and your partner. Imagine that there is a rope tied to your waist and your partner’s waist and when one player moves, the other should follow naturally. For example, if a player is returning a corner net shot, the teammate should follow to help maximize court grit. You and your partner are linked by an invisible cord, moving forward together, backward together, and sideways together. This is how the chemistry of a couple develops in Pickleball doubles.
health benefits
You may be thinking, “Here it comes – exercise and diet, you’ll live longer.” Consider this, the human body was designed for physical activity, only the fittest survived. Our society today has a large number of what are known as hypokinetic diseases, conditions caused by a lack of regular physical activity.
The average person can burn between 300 and 400 calories per hour playing Pickleball. When you increase the number of calories you expend and balance it with healthy eating, something magical happens; you start to feel good about your body, emotional and mental clarity can follow, and energy levels improve considerably. Stress and tension melt away. Increase your game or add a few more games each week and you will increase your oxygen demand. Aerobically, this means your heart, lungs, and muscles work more efficiently, so it even lowers elevated blood fat levels and blood pressure, improves digestion, and eliminates hypokinetic disease. Dynamic and isotonic strength improves, low back pain, osteoporosis, and joint pain decrease, and endurance fatigue develops over a period of time. A Pickleball lifestyle is more than physical activity, it’s a standard of living with meaning and purpose. Evidence supports the fact that you are never too old to experience the benefits of exercise and the body will respond to exercise at any age.
The rules
To begin with, a coin toss usually decides who goes first, but in most friendly games the pair with the least amount of experience serves. The pair will position themselves behind the baseline and the player on the right side will start by serving low and contacting the ball below the waist. The ball is directed to the opposing player on the other side of the net behind the end line. The ball must bounce once before being returned and the serving team must also wait for the returned shot to bounce before volleying. This is where the game gets exciting and picks up speed. There is a no volley zone, or “kitchen”, this is the 7 foot space between the net and the front court line that prevents players from getting too close to the net and promotes quick reflexes with skillful shooting strategies instead of power. shots Only the serving team can score points and the game is played until one team reaches 11 points or exceeds the previous 2 points. A game can last anywhere from 10 to 25 minutes and can be quite competitive with equally skilled players. The main goal is to have a lot of fun.
Tips
Always consult a doctor before beginning any activity that has a physical component and always warm up before entering the court. Include various stretches, including the quadriceps and hamstrings in the legs, shoulders, and wrists in the upper body. As you play, stay alert in anticipation of your next shot, maintain a firm stance with a wide base for stability to avoid injury, and as you wait for the ball, keep your paddle high, centered on your chest, ready for a shot to either side of the ball. ball. you. Sportsmanship during and at the end of the game is essential as in any other sport. Cooling down should be an important part of your Pickleball routine. Immediately after playing, do some gentle, rhythmic activity and some flexibility stretching. A sudden stop in movement can cause blood to pool in the arms and legs, which can cause dizziness or fainting.
Warning, once you play the game, you’ll be hooked because when it comes to sports, few can beat the magic that is Pickleball. See you on the courts…