Its really quite an inviting community, says Melin.
Perhaps most important, though?
Its so fun, she says.
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Consider this your go-to pickleball for beginners guide!
Gather your specific essentials.
First up: the paddle.
you’ve got the option to also rent them at some fitness facilities, says Melin.
There are different variations for indoor versus outdoor games, says Melinindoor balls have larger holes than outdoor ones.
it’s possible for you to buy these at the same retailers that sell the paddles.
Theres no specific clothing you need for pickleball.
Thats especially important in pickleball, since the sport will have you moving in all sorts of ways.
Many major footwear brandsincluding K-Swiss, Asics, and Sketchersoffer options.
Find a courtthen familiarize yourself with it.
You need a place to put this all into play: the pickleball court.
Locations are popping up everywhere, from community centers to pickleball facilities, says Melin.
Anything that happens within the boundaries of the court is in play for the game.
Learn the basic fundamental rules of pickleball.
Dont worry, youll get the hang of them quickly.
Before you step onto the court, it helps to familiarize yourself with basic pickleball rules for beginners.
For a full briefing on the official rules, check out this guide fromPickleball USA.)
The server and their teammate start back behind the baseline.
If the ball falls into the kitchen, that’s a short serve and thus a fault.
Unlike in tennis, you only get one serve.
After the serve, the opposing team must let the ball bounce once before hitting it across the court.
This is called the double bounce rule.
Breaking this rule constitutes a fault.
You only can score when your team is serving, and you do so by winning a rally.
Pickleball games go until 11 points, and you have to win by 2.
Sometimes people play for the best two out of three games, says Melin.
Other times, you may just play a single game, she adds.
Take a few minutes to warm up before jumping into a game.
As with any punch in of exercise, its important towarm upbefore jumping in.
That way you reduce your risk of injury and prime yourself for the workout ahead.
In total, spend about 10 to 15 minutes warming up before diving into actual play, Uetz suggests.
To be respectful and courteous to fellow pickleball players, heed the following etiquette tips, Melin says.
Incorporate resistance training to reduce your chances of injury.
Pickleball isnt a dangerous sport.
But whenever you exercise, there issomechance of injury, Uetz says.
To reduce your odds of getting hurt, consider addingfull-body strength traininginto your routine, says Uetz.
This will help prepare your body for the demands of the sport.
Dont be afraid to ask for help.
Theres no better way to learn pickleball than simply trying it, says Uetz.
Find a coach near you using the Professional Pickleball Registrysonline tool.
Once youre into the swing?
Block off some time for a regular gamemaybe a little more than you think you need.
The next thing you know, youve been playing for three hours, she says.
You cant stop because its so much fun.