This past weekend I was at a friendly get together when my tennis playing friend mentioned she played pickleball for the first time… and loved it!
The conversation veered toward how popular the sport was getting and it was decided that all of us, regardless of age or fitness level should consider playing pickleball. This was not only appealing to the tennis players, but also to the badminton player, as well as those in the room who had never really played a racquet sport. Like our friend mentioned: It’s between ping pong and Tennis… and so much fun!
According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA): “Pickleball continued its incredible rise in America and remains the fastest-growing sport.” Source: [https://sfia.org/resources/sfias-topline-report-shows-physical-activity-rates-increased-for-a-fifth-consecutive-year/]
So what exactly is pickleball?
Pickleball is played with a racquet called a paddle and played on a smaller court, roughly the size of a badminton court. It is often considered to be a cross between badminton, table tennis and tennis. It has a lower barrier to entry, provides a great workout and is considered to be a thoroughly joyful sport.
We at NewGen Racquet Club can’t wait to open our pickleball courts so you too can enjoy America’s most popular sport. Register here to learn more.
Basic Rules of Pickleball:
Here are the basic pickleball rules you should know:
- You can play singles or doubles
- You have to serve diagonally to your opponent
- You continue serving until you win points; when you lose a point the opponent serves. Note: if playing doubles, when you lose a point, your partner serves. Once a point is lost off of partner’s service the opposing team starts to serve.
- Like tennis, the ball must bounce once before returning; after that you are free to volley if you wish. Note: You are not allowed to volley from within 7 feet of both sides of the net. This non-volley zone is commonly referred to as the kitchen, and tends to cause a lot of controversy for some.
- The side that scores 11 points first win, and you must win by at least 2 points
The USA Pickleball national governing body for pickleball has several helpful resources to get you pickling in time. For a more detailed set of rules, visit: https://usapickleball.org/what-is-pickleball/official-rules/
So what are you waiting for?
Sign up now to secure your spot to America’s fastest growing sport today and get ready to enjoy a new, fitness boosting fun activity in fresh, brand new courts at the NewGen Racquet Club.
