Why You Should Start Playing Pickleball (America’s Fastest Growing Sport)
You probably didn’t know pickleball is America’s fastest-growing sport, did you? It’s so popular, in fact, that the number of pickleball players in the United States grew more than 21 percent from 2019 to 2020, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). In total, there were 4.2 million pickleball players in 2020. With the explosive growth of many recreational outdoor sports among adults during the pandemic, the number of new pickleball players in 2021 has likely swelled even higher.
Besides being tons of fun, pickleball is a great low-impact sport to get you moving and burning calories. The game’s social aspect also makes it welcoming to many casual and beginner athletes.
Pickleball Participation Report 2021 (sfia.org)
What is Pickleball, and How is it Played?
Imagine if you put the games of tennis, ping pong, and badminton into a blender with a wiffle ball and hit puree—voila—you’d have pickleball.
Pickleball is played on what looks something like a miniaturized version of a tennis court. The net is low and resembles a badminton net. Players use paddles to volley the ball—which is a slightly heavier version of a Wiffle ball—back and forth over the net. Games are played to 11 points (or a 2-point advantage if tied). Pickleball can be played indoors and outdoors, in singles or doubles, but you’re far more likely to see games of doubles.
The pace of play can be quite fast with experienced players but can also be slowed down. To ensure the game is played at the speed most comfortable for you, pair up with players who have similar goals.
The rules are a little quirky—easy to follow, but it might take a few times of playing to remember! For a breakdown of the rules, visit USA Pickleball: Rules Summary – USA Pickleball.
Not Just for Retirees
Sure, there are plenty of seniors who play pickleball. And jokes abound about pickleball being a sport where tennis players go to die. But in reality, pickleball attracts players of all ages. In fact, SFIA says 8 to 34-year-olds make up the most significant percentage of casual pickleball players (play seven times or less per year). Seniors aged 65 and older still comprise the largest group of regularly playing pickleballers (play 8+ times per year).
The widespread appeal of pickleball is arguably because it is played by the young and the old. And because it’s played on a small court with reasonably close contact, pickleball lends itself to being socially interactive. Regular pickleball players tend to become fast friends.
