Book onto social play...Sat 10 to 12, Sun 11 to 1pm, equipment provided.
: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/BruceCastlePark/Coaching
Book a court here; we will loan you equipment (for free) if you do not have it. :https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/BruceCastlePark/Booking/BookByDate#?date=2024-09-26&role=guest
What is pickleball?
Fast becoming one of the most popular racket sports in the world, pickleball brings together some of the best elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, into a fun and exciting game for people of all ages and abilities.
Played on a court the same size as a badminton court – and using a shorter tennis-style net – players use paddles to hit a plastic ball between one another. You can play as both singles and doubles, and it’s a great way to exercise with friends and family or meet new people.
While there are many similarities with tennis, there are some key differences. For example, the ball has to bounce once on each side before you can volley and you can’t play volleys from inside the kitchen sink (a marked out area close to the net).
Why is pickleball popular?
It’s simple – pickleball is easy learn, fun to play and is a great way to exercise.
One of the fastest-growing sports in the world, pickleball is suitable for people of all ages and abilities and is a very social activity that you can play with family and friends, while also giving you the opportunity to meet new people.
The game is exciting, challenging and offers a good workout. In fact, one 30-minute game of pickleball can burn up to 300 calories.
What are the rules of Pickleball? How to play pickleball
Want to know how to play pickleball?
The pickleball rules are easy to grasp and the scoring system is simple. There are many similarities with tennis and some key differences. For example, the ball has to bounce once on each side before you can volley, and you can’t play volleys from inside the kitchen (a marked out area close to the net).
Pickleball shots
Pickleball shots are very similar to tennis or padel – you have the volley (shots without bouncing), drop shots (light shots falling just on your opponent’s side of the net) and smashes (an overhead volley).
In pickleball you also have a shot called a ‘dink’, which can only be used near the net, or in the kitchen area of the court. A dink is a very soft shot that just about reaches over the net, making difficult to return – much like a drop shot in tennis.
The ‘third shot drop’ are effective because a lot of rallies are often lost on the third point of a rally. A third shot drop is a soft, arcing shot that drops into the kitchen – often forcing your opponent to hit a dink return.
What should I wear to play pickleball?
You can wear anything to play pickleball. We’d recommend any type of sportswear and some comfy trainers – but if you’re looking to play more regularly, you can get specialist pickleball trainers that offer a bit more stability and will help your movement.
What equipment do I need to play pickleball?
The main two bits of equipment you need to play pickleball are a paddle and a ball.
The pickleball paddle – like a tennis racket – has a handle and a large flat surface area that is used to hit the ball. Paddles can be made from different core materials, have different thicknesses and different grip sizes to suit every player’s wants and needs.
The ball is plastic and hollow, with holes all across its surface. A pickleball is slightly larger than a tennis ball and are slightly different weights depending on whether you’re playing indoors or outdoors. Heavier balls are used outdoors so they aren’t as affected by the wind.