Pickleball and Seniors
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It’s all the rage, but what is it?
Pickleball! It really is the rage and, seniors in particular, are embracing the game with special enthusiasm!
The game, is a combination of badminton, ping-pong, and tennis.
And it’s ideal for seniors because it helps them to stay active while having a great time.
Pickleball provides plenty of physical benefits, plus a sense of community and friendship (which sadly, we increasingly need as we age).
I’ll go over the physical and social benefits, give an overview of the game, and provide a few tips on finding local pickleball courts or leagues.
Why is it so enthusiastically embraced by seniors?
The game is easy to learn (really, it is!) and can be played at a leisurely pace, making it an ideal option for us older folk. Of course, if you’re competitive, there’s plenty who will match your level and play as hard as you like.
Seniors who play pickleball regularly can enjoy improved strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility. That’s a lot of benefits from a game you enjoy playing!
Additionally, it provides a form of low-impact cardiovascular exercise, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health conditions.
Pickleball can even help improve your mood and provide some relief from joint pain associated with arthritis. It pays to move! And pickleball will get you moving!
Plus, pickleball is a sport that can be played both indoors and outdoors, making it a great option for seniors regardless of the weather.
In addition to physical benefits, pickleball provides seniors with social benefits.
The game can be a great way for seniors to get out of the house and socialize with other people. As mentioned earlier, it’s a team sport, so players must work together to score points.
This cooperative spirit fosters a sense of community and friendship. Maintaining social circles can be difficult for seniors, so pickleball helps with that.
Additionally, pickleball provides a sense of purpose and accomplishment, as you set and achieve goals.
Don’t worry if it sounds complicated or intimidating – it’s the opposite of all that! Plus, most leagues have fun classes and instructors to teach you the game and help you along.
So, how does one find local pickleball courts or leagues?
The best place to start is by doing a google search for the term “pickleball.” That will bring up local courts and leagues near you.
You can also check with your local parks and recreation departments, as they may have information about pickleball courts or leagues in your area. Many do.
Finally, and this one surprised me, you can reach out to senior centers or retirement homes, as they may have pickleball courts or leagues available for seniors. Who knew? I suspect larger retirement communities could also have pickleball courts.
What are the rules and how do you play the game?
The most important thing to remember is that pickleball is a game of finesse and strategy, not brute strength. It’s like shooting pool in that aspect.
The game can be played with two or four players. I rarely see just two people playing though. Especially with leagues – it’s usually four with two per side.
Each player uses a paddle (smaller than a tennis racquet but larger than a ping-pong paddle) to hit a small plastic ball over a low net.
There’s a pleasing smacking sound when you hit the ball like an amplified ping-pong paddle. When leagues have several games going on at once the sound is like a strange chorus of chirping cracks.
Like tennis, the court has two sides and a service line. But the court is smaller and the net is noticeably lower. It looks like a mini tennis court! Kids love the smaller dimensions and so do seniors. You don’t have the long, hard runs you see on full-sized tennis courts.
The first move of the game is the serve, which must be made underhanded and must go over the net.
Once the ball is served, each team has three chances to return it.
After three chances, the ball must go over the net or the opponents earn a point.
The game is played to 11 points, and the side that earns 11 points first wins the game.
I’ve seen teams however, play to twenty-one points – games go fast either way.
So, go out and play some pickleball! Let us know how it goes and if you will continue with it.