DISCOVER

By Larry Christopher

You may have been hearing about a new sport called pickleball, which has been identified as the fastest growing sport in America. Although pickleball has gotten quite a bit of hype lately, it was invented back in 1965. However, for a variety of reasons, it's suddenly gotten very popular in the last few years.

The name "pickleball" often confuses newcomers as it sounds silly and an unlikely name for a serious sport. The origin of the name is disputed; one story is that one of the founders had a dog named Pickle. Regardless of how it got its name, pickleball is a legitimate sport that's enjoyed by thousands of people. The following are some basic facts about the game. • According to the official history of pickleball, it was invented by a group of parents in Bainbridge Island,

Washington who were trying to keep their kids busy. • Pickleball is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis/ping pong. • It can be played singles or doubles, though doubles is more common. • The size of an official pickleball court is 20 x 44 feet, which is the same as a standard badminton court.

However, casual games can be modified to suit different size spaces. • The only equipment needed to play are paddles, a net, and a ball.

Pickleball is played both indoors and outdoors. The rules are the same but a different type of ball is used for each, with outdoor pickle balls being heavier and harder. HOW IS PICKLEBALL DIFFERENT FROM OTHER RACKET SPORTS?

In some ways, pickleball resembles traditional racket sports such as tennis and badminton. The objective is to keep the ball in play and cause your opponent to foul or fail to return the ball. A key distinction is that points can only be scored by the server.

The other major difference is the two-bounce rule, which requires the ball to bounce once in the receiver's court and then in the server's court before a point can be scored. This eliminates the server's advantage that is present in other racket sports where the server can score a quick point with a powerful serve. Pickleball is designed to allow for longer rallies. OPEN TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND FITNESS LEVELS

Pickleball appeals to a wide range of players of all ages and to people of all levels of fitness. Pickleball games are typically much quicker than those of tennis, where long sets are usually played. In pickleball, the game lasts until one player or side reaches 11 points, though in tournaments the games are 15 or 21 points. While games can be vigorous, they don't require the endurance of games such as tennis, squash or racquetball. Of course, pickleball does provide a cardiovascular workout. Anyone with health issues should consult with their doctor before playing. A SOCIAL ACTIVITY

Many people are seeking ways to reach out and feel more connected to their communities. Pickleball is emerging as a fun social activity where you can meet others in a supportive environment. While pickleball is a legitimate sport, it appeals to people who may not be athletic or very competitive by nature.

A MORE INCLUSIVE SPORT

While Pickleball has been around for a while, most players have only discovered it within the last couple of years. By contrast, many players of sports such as tennis and badminton have been playing all their lives. With established sports, there are strict rankings and hierarchies between leagues and players. As a newer sport, Pickleball offers a relatively equal opportunity for all players. Of course, in pickleball, there are players of differing abilities and experience but the contrast isn't nearly as great as with most sports. This allows for a more inclusive experience for even new players.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Assuming you've only recently heard about pickleball and have never played, how would you get started? As the sport spreads, there's a good chance that there's a league in your city. If not, you could even help to start one. There are a few ways to get started. • USA Pickleball has a list of participating clubs in the United States and

Canada • Check local MeetUps. If there's no local group, you could start a MeetUp and find members. You only need a few people to start playing. • There are several apps that help you find local clubs and players. Some of the most popular are Pickleball FYI and Places2Play. • Get a net, some rackets, and start playing! If you want to try it out or you aren't quite ready to join a club, you can start with your own family or friends. You can play in your yard or a nearby park. If you go to a public spot, you're likely to meet more players.