25 reasons Why Everyone Loves Pickleball and Why It's the Number One Sport in America
Have you ever wondered what makes pickleball so popular?
Pickleball is a sport that anyone can enjoy, no matter how old or young they are.
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| 25 reasons Why Everyone Loves Pickleball and Why It's the Number One Sport in America |
It's not hard to learn, but it still challenges you to improve your skills.
Pickleball is the sport that is growing the fastest in America right now!
It combines elements of ping pong, tennis and badminton into one exciting game. How awesome is that?
More and more people are playing pickleball across the nation. The United States Pickleball Association (USA Pickleball Association) has over 124,000 members, but that's not even counting the many people who play pickleball casually without joining USAPA.
The sport is so popular that there are about 6 million pickleball players who play 20 million games a year. The Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s report shows that pickleball is the fastest growing team sport in America with a 21.3% increase in pickleball players from 2019 to 2020.
Here are 25 reasons why Pickleball is so Popular.
1. It keeps you fit
Pickleball is a great way to stay in shape without feeling like you’re exercising. You can burn up to 350 calories per hour playing this game!
2. It's social
Pickleball is a very social game that you can play with people of all ages and of all skill levels. It's a great way to make new friends and have some fun.
3. It's easy to learn
If you know how to play tennis or ping pong, you can play pickleball. The rules are simple and you can learn how to play well in a few minutes.
4. You don't need much equipment
All you really need to play pickleball is a pickleball paddle and a pickleball ball (sometimes called a wiffle ball). You can get everything you need at your local sports store or online.
5. It's easier on the body than tennis
Pickleball is a lot less stressful than tennis. It's easy to learn and the ball doesn't bounce as high so you don't have to be in such good shape to play.
6. It's low-impact
If you have an injury or just don't like to play a high-impact sport, pickleball is the perfect game for you because it doesn't hurt your knees.
7. The equipment is cheap
If you don't have all the pickleball equipment yet, don't worry. You can get everything you need at very affordable prices.
8. Pickleball has grown a lot in recent years
According to the USAPA, there are about 6 million people playing pickleball every year. With the popularity of this sport, it's likely that it will become an Olympic game someday.
9. Pickleball games are quick
You don't have to wait long to play one point in pickleball because each game only has 21 points. This means that the games are fast and fun, so you won't get bored.
10. It can be played indoors or outdoors
Pickleball can be played indoors or outdoors, on pickleball courts or on courts that are used for badminton, tennis or basketball.
11. A pickleball game doesn't need a lot of space
If you have a badminton or tennis court, you can play pickleball on it with very little change. The game is played using only half the court.
12. You can play doubles
This makes pickleball great for everyone, no matter what their age or skill level is.
13. It's fun to play
Whether you like to play slow or fast games, pickleball will give you the thrill that you want
14. You can play by yourself
If you don’t have a partner to play with, pickleball can be played alone too.
15. It attracts all kinds of players
Even professional tennis players like playing pickleball because it’s a fun way to relax when they are not playing in tournaments.
16. It’s a great game for people who like playing games like tennis or ping pong –
If you think pickleball sounds interesting but you’re not sure if you’d like it, try playing ping pong first. Most people find that they easily develop good skills at pickleball by playing ping pong.
17. It’s simple to learn the rules
If you’re new to pickleball, don’t worry; it won’t take long to learn the basic rules of this game. The whole process takes just a few minutes and can be done in your local sports store or online.
18. There are many places to play pickleball
Pickleball can be played almost anywhere, including in your own backyard or driveway. Most parks and recreation centers have at least one court for this game so you won’t have any problem finding a place to play.
19. You can join a pickleball club
If you’re new to the game and you don’t know anyone who plays, most cities have local pickleball clubs where players of all levels can meet and practice their skills. Here are some tips on how to find pickleball courts near you.
20. There are many opportunities for advancement
The American Pickleball Association offers various online courses and certification exams that let you become a certified pickleball referee.
21. Easy for tennis, squash or racquetball players to learn
If you’re a racquetball or tennis player, pickleball will be easy to learn. All you need is a little bit of practice and you’ll soon develop the skills you need for this sport.
22. You can play in tournaments
Pickleball has become so popular that there are now even tournaments that feature
23. You can even make your own courts almost anywhere!
24….and most resorts have pickleball courts
If there’s no pickleball tournament near you, many resorts offer special weekend tournaments for their guests.
25. Portable pickleball nets that make it easy to start a game anywhere!
Frequently Asked questions and answers about Pickleball.
What is pickleball?
Pickleball is a paddle sport that is played on a court that is the same size as a badminton court with a wooden or graphite paddle and a plastic ball. The goal of the game is to hit the ball over the net on your opponent’s side of the court, without letting the ball bounce more than once on your own side. The first player to score 11 points (or, in some cases, 15) wins the game.
Why is pickleball so much fun?
Pickleball is one of the most fun sports around because it’s fast, easy to learn, and can be played anywhere.
Is pickleball easier than tennis?
Pickleball is easier than tennis because the court is smaller. But if you’re looking for a high-level of play, pickleball can also give you that.
How much does it cost to play pickleball?
Pickleball is very cheap. You can usually borrow or rent a pickleball paddle and ball for free or for a small fee. Or if you want, you can buy a beginner level paddle for around $40.00.
Many communities offer free or low-cost drop-in time for pickleball.
Is pickleball like ping-pong?
Yes, it is similar to ping-pong. In fact, many people find that they get better at pickleball by playing a lot of table tennis first.
A pickleball paddle is somewhat like a table tennis paddle (ping-pong paddle) but much smaller.
The modern day pickleball paddle was originally made from a ping-pong paddle because that’s what the original creators had available for the first game of pickleball.
Why is pickleball so addictive?
Pickleball is addictive because it’s easy to learn and play, it suits all ages and skill levels. And because it’s cheap, it’s a sport that is available to many people.
Will I like pickleball?
If you like racket sports such as tennis or ping-pong, then yes – pickleball will give you the thrill that you want.
Why is pickleball gaining popularity?
Pickleball is gaining popularity because it’s easy to play, low impact and suits a wide variety of people, from kids to seniors.
Most people who have played racket sports, learn pickleball quickly. Many people who have played tennis, racquetball, squash, badminton etc… it’s easy to see why they like pickleball.
Summary of why pickleball is so popular
Pickleball is popular and the fastest growing sport in America because it’s a fast, fun and social game that’s easy to learn and can be played anywhere!
