Fun, social, and friendly. The rules of pickleball are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a fast-paced, competitive game quickly. With the holiday season upon us, it’s time to eat, drink (or dink!), be merry, and play pickleball. Give the gift of pickleball to someone who has never played, or treat yourself to that pickleball gift you have been dreaming of! Looking for things to do in Montego Bay, The Tryall Club has your pickleball game covered regardless of skill level or experience on the pickleball court. Located just a stone’s throw away from Montego Bay, you can enjoy a game of pickleball on one of The Tryall Club’s four (4) pickleball courts.
Pickleball is a fast-paced, low-impact game that can be played by anyone. It’s easy to learn and just as fun to watch! However, depending on your fondness for pickles, the sport has absolutely nothing to do with pickles or fermented fruit of any kind. Pickleball is not your everyday, average sport, and to be fair, many people have never even heard of it. If you are reading this, it is highly likely this is your first time as well. However, pickleball as a competitive sport has been played as far back as the mid-1900s. Pickleball is an interesting mix of tennis, badminton, and strangely enough, ping pong. But what is this game? How do you get involved? Where is it played? Today we answer these questions and more on this truly family-friendly and rewarding sport.
What is Pickleball?
First off, what is pickleball? The sport came about from three fathers in Ohio, coming up with something to keep their kids entertained. There are a few theories as to how it got the name, but the two most common are that the inventors named the game pickleball due to the hodgepodge mash-up of different sports reminding them of the motley crew of rowers that would compete at different Universities. The other? It was named after the dog of one of the inventors. We like the second theory more.
How big is a Pickleball court?
Pickleball is a combination of tennis, badminton, volleyball, and ping pong. It’s played on a court that can be as small as about 2.5 by 2.5 meters (roughly 8 feet by 8 feet) or 24 feet by 48 feet (6.5 meters by 15 meters) or around the size of one of our Montego Bay tennis courts, and it’s played with two paddles and a ball.
What is a Pickleball made of?
The actual pickleball itself is a plastic ball, roughly the same size as a tennis ball, but with holes in it for air to pass through. The game has been around since the 1900s, but it wasn’t until 1992 that it became an official sport in the United States. This year marks its 50th anniversary! The rules are simple; hit the ball over the net and into your opponent’s court without letting them score a point. That’s it. The history of pickleball is long and colorful. In its earliest days, pickleball was called “can’t miss” because it had no rules or official structure. A group of local tennis players decided to play at their local park after hours—and then just kept playing there! Today, you’ll find pickleball courts throughout Southern California and the USA.
How to serve in Pickleball?
Well, that’s pretty simple! In order to serve, you’ll need two rackets (or one for each player if you’re playing doubles), a ball, and a standing net similar to what you need for tennis. You’ll also want something that won’t get in the way of you hitting your partner’s ball back; if there’s a tree branch or bush nearby, consider moving it out of the way first before starting your own game. Players stand at one end of a court and hit the ball over toward the other end with their paddle (you get two paddles per player). You can hit the ball on your side or across the net; it doesn’t matter where it lands as long as it goes over both ends (the court is divided into two halves). Once you’ve hit the ball over both ends, your opponent has three chances to return it over their end of the court before you get another turn.
How old does someone need to be in order to play? Anyone can play pickleball! The only requirement for playing is being able to stand still for a few minutes. You don’t need to be a super athlete or in the best shape, which is why it is perfect for seniors and persons looking to get their fitness up with a low-impact yet super competitive game, guaranteed to give the heart a good workout. Pickleball allows players to work on things such as hand-eye coordination, dexterity, reflexes, and agility without putting excessive strain on their bodies in the process. Pickleball is great for people who used to play tennis or badminton but had to give it up due to arm, hip, or other injuries in the past.
Pickleball is a great, engaging sport and one that is offered here at the Tryall Club. We’re eager to show you the ropes so to speak and ensure that you have a safe and fun, yet fast-paced and engaging experience with the sport designed to fit every lifestyle. Interested? Of course, you are. See you on the court! You have first serve.
As featured in Frommers top 5 Pickelball resorts, www.frommers.com/slideshows/848554-pickleball-paradise-5-top-resorts-for-playing-america-s-fastest-growing-sport
