INTRODUCTION TO PICKLEBALL
Pickleball 101
What Is Pickleball?
A Lively Paddle Game for all Ages and Abilities
Pickleball was created with one thing in mind: fun. It was designed to be easy to learn and play whether you’re five, eighty-five or somewhere in between.
Court and Gear
Pickleball is traditionally played on a badminton-sized court with special Pickleball paddles, made of wood or high-tech aerospace materials. The ball used is similar to a wiffle ball, but slightly smaller. The lower net and wiffle ball allow the game to be accessible to people of all ages and abilities, while still allowing more competitive players to test their athletic abilities.
Rules of the Game
In addition to the modified net and gear, there are several key rules in Pickleball that help make the game more accessible. In tennis, and many net sports, games are often won and lost by the power of the serve. In Pickleball the ball must bounce once on each side before volleys are allowed. This opens the game to more players and extends play for added fun.
History of Pickleball
Pickleball was created in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, outside Seattle, WA. The goal of Pickleball then and now was to create a game that is fun for every member of the family.
How can I learn the game?
Upcoming Pickleball 101 sessions for the summer of 2023:
- The Kroc Center April 24 & 26, 2023 from 9:00--11:00 AM to register contact 920-884-5007
- Josten Park May 22 & 264, 2023 from 9:00--11:00 AM to register contact 920 468-5225
- Allouez Park and Recreation Department--Kiwanis Park. June 20 & 22, 2023 from 5:30--7:30 PM, to register contact 920-448-2800
- Ashwaubenon Park & Recreation Department--Fort Howard Park July 25 & 27, 2023 from 5:30--7:30 PM, to register contact 920-492-2331
- Green Bay Park & Recreation Department--Edison Pickleball Park August 1 & 3, 2023 from 5:30--7:30 PM--to register contact 920-448-3365
- Bellevue Park & Recreation Department--Josten Park Dates to be determined
Pickleball is a great game to play for people of all ages who possess good athletic abilities. While using a paddle and a ball, its resemblance to other racket sports like tennis, ping pong, badminton and racket ball stops there. The court is a different size, the net is a different height, the ball is constructed differently than all of the other balls of the games we have all played and the rules are unique to the sport. The video to the right begins to give a good view of "America's Fastest Growing Sport." |
|
|
As we enter into the sport of pickleball all to often we bring with it our experience from other racket sports. While the objective of the game is to ultimately win the point, it is most often not done with the typical "smash" or "blast " of the pickleball at the opponent. Pickleball is a highly strategic game of setting yourself or your partner up for the winning point. "Dinking" is the fun, energetic and really the strategic part of the game. This is where the skills of pickleball come in to play. The video to the left begins to describe the reasons for this type of a shot, how to use it and the skills needed to demonstrate it effectively! |
Pickleball requires a good amount of movement, to the left, to the right, forward and backward as well as the ability to move quickly and most importantly, safely. The videos below are fantastic depictions of the skills needed to play this game at a high level, which once you start will definitely pull you in the direction of trying to master all the skills and shots of the game. The game of pickleball really starts with the 4th shot, up until then it is simply getting the ball set up so you can play the strategic part of the game. Notice all of the shots that are used in these games: serve, return of serve, dink, drop shots over the net, resetting the point, driving shots, etc.
Lots of shots, lots of fun, lots of exercise and lots of people in our community playing the game! See you soon!
|
|
STILL INTERESTED: CONTACT PACKERLAND PICKLEBALL PLAYERS for more info:
packerlandpicklers@gmail.com
PADDLES UP!!