How do I take up pickleball?

[Anonymous]

Thinking that this would be a good activity for DH and me to take up together. So how and where do we start?

What equipment do we need to buy? Are there leagues to join or do we just show up at courts? We live in DC and I’m not even sure where to go. Thanks for any tips!

[Anonymous]

Do you have a pulse?
Do you have fully functioning legs and arms?
Do you have a 300 dollar paddle?

If you answered yes to all three you are good to go

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a pulse?
Do you have fully functioning legs and arms?
Do you have a 300 dollar paddle?

If you answered yes to all three you are good to go

You don’t need a $300 paddle! There are cheaper options and starter sets of 2. I’d start w that.

I’m in the burbs w/ swim/tennis clubs where we have Pickleball clinics and then matches form from there. Or you could just get paddles and study the rules online and head to a public court to play on w your husband. It’s so much fun!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a pulse?
Do you have fully functioning legs and arms?
Do you have a 300 dollar paddle?

If you answered yes to all three you are good to go

Count me out if these are the types of people you would encounter playing pickle ball.

[Anonymous]

I just started playing one day. There are some tricky rules about scoring, who's turn it is to serve, when you can hit the ball in the air, but the actually hitting the ball is pretty basic if you have ever played tennis or ping pong. I would start with someone who has played before to help you with the rules. For the gear, go to Amazon and get some inexpensive basic racquets (but look for paddle with a plastic head with a flat hitting surface and not solid wood paddle).

[Anonymous]

Is it easy to play if you haven’t played tennis before and are not coordinated? I would like to take up a social sport but am afraid I’ll make a fool of myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it easy to play if you haven’t played tennis before and are not coordinated? I would like to take up a social sport but am afraid I’ll make a fool of myself.

It’s closer to ping pong than tennis in terms of athleticism.

[Anonymous]

DH and I took a pickle ball clinic in VA but here's one closer to you, OP:

https://washingtondcpb.org/how-to-play-pickleball/

[Anonymous]

Check the rec dept offerings. Most open play or beginner pickle ball options have some paddles there for you to use so you can decide if you like it before you buy a paddle. I ended up buying one at Dick's for about $60 once I decided I wanted to keep playing.

I think experience with racquetball is very helpful as far as the skills you need are concerned. It is lots of fun but is not necessarily as easy as some would have you think. There are typically old people who can beat younger people using finesse and experience. It's fun for kids too. Actually people of all ages play pickleball but it's great that older people who want to stay active have this option now.

[Anonymous]

OP,

There are some jerks on this site who always like to pee on pickleball and denigrate it as something so stupid that you don't need to have any skills or learn anything.

Please ignore them.

Pickleball is a sport and there are skills that you will need to develop to get better and have fun winning rather than being a hot mess that always loses the point. The best way to learn the game and get started with some skills is to take a class at a rec center. This is not a one-and-done thing. Sure you can get the gist of the game in one meeting. But, it takes time to learn how to be a good partner, when to be where, etc.

Classes in Fairfax County usually fill up fast. Of course this is not a great time of year to take a class if it is outside.

Usually a class will provide paddles, but if you like it, you'll want to get your own. You do not need to spend $300 on one paddle. But, a $130-150 paddle is pretty standard for people who want to play regularly. There are more expensive paddles too. The cheapy paddles will be louder, and have more vibration/impact to your wrist/hand. When you are hitting with it hundreds of times, those things will make a difference.

Eventually, you'll find some drop in pickleball groups. But, realize that as a newbie, you should have some skills before you go to drop in. It's going to be frustrating for you, and a route for the other team. People like to play with similarly skilled people. So, learn with others who are learning, make some friends in your class and play with them. Then go to drop in sessions.

[Anonymous]

I took a few lessons, and then I started going to drop in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thinking that this would be a good activity for DH and me to take up together. So how and where do we start?

What equipment do we need to buy? Are there leagues to join or do we just show up at courts? We live in DC and I’m not even sure where to go. Thanks for any tips!

If a clown can do it so can you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thinking that this would be a good activity for DH and me to take up together. So how and where do we start?

What equipment do we need to buy? Are there leagues to join or do we just show up at courts? We live in DC and I’m not even sure where to go. Thanks for any tips!

Have you heard of Google? How are you even able to tie your own shoes?

[Anonymous]

I saw one freak the other night playing. Great way to pick up milfs