In very recent years, the craze of pickleball has spread all across America, reaching from teenagers to older adults in popularity. What started out as a simple game created by a few people during the summer of 1965 has almost instantaneously morphed into the pastime that rules afternoons.
The pickleball fad has spread slowly by word of mouth over recent years, ultimately consolidating into what we see today. Now, almost everyone has heard of the game, if not played it for themselves.
“I started playing pickleball around April of last year,” junior Jackson Sherwood said. “Grant and some of my other friends invited me to play at Dupree park. I had never played before, but I loved it immediately.”
The popularity of the game is due to its low impact nature. It’s not too strenuous, and there is almost no chance of injury. But the most attractive feature of the sport is how easy it is to play. Instead of needing to construct a complex, ten person team, friends can get in small groups or simply pair up and play.
One of the biggest challenges of the game is learning the rules and scoring system. The complexity of the now-iconic “kitchen” adds a bit of a learning curve to new players.
“At first I wasn’t really paying attention to the rules,” Junior Abby Deweese said. “Once I got the game down, I started catching on. I got it after a few games.”
Pickleball is now a common hobby among people of all ages. Most parks have updated their tennis courts to include pickleball, while some families set up courts in their own backyards.
“Last year, I played every single Wednesday after school with my friends,” Deweese said. “I play about once a week now, in my freetime when I can.”
New players are discovering this sport every day, welcomed by the preexisting players who are always searching for some competition. The community is extremely supportive, creating a helpful environment where everyone wants to become better.
“I would love to coach people who aren’t as experienced,” Sherwood said. “I help my friends who are new to pickleball learn the rules and all the mechanics.”
Professional pickleball has emerged from this craze as a step for people who want to take their game to the next level, and tournaments have popped up everywhere. Schools have offered scholarships to students who want to pursue the game, producing opportunities for skilled players.
“You should try it,” Deweese said. “It’s really fun, and it’s easy.”
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