Pickleball

Pickleball net is 34 inches high in the center and 36 inches high near the posts, two inches lower than a tennis net.
 
Transcript: "A pickleball, net is 2 inches lower than a tennis net in the center. It's 34 inches, high half way out to the ends. Is 35 inches high and all the way out near the posts, it's 36 inches high. All those are just two inches lower than in tennis net."

Pickleball has a reputation for causing injuries due to the influx of new players who may not be physically fit and lack proper technique. The most common injuries are orthopedic, such as thumb, wrist and head injuries from falling backwards. To reduce injury risk, players should get instruction on proper footwork and become more physically fit.
 
Transcript: "Pickleball gets a little bit of a bad rap for producing a lot of injuries. I think one of the reasons for that is the number of newer players were coming. You know, from a sedentary background, they weren't doing much. They might not be all that physically fit and in combination with that pickleball is really fun. So they end up playing for 3-4 hours at a time like a little bit fatigued and lose a little bit of coordination. So the injuries are mostly Orthopaedics. Thumbs wrists, you know from falling backwards. Hopefully not too often they hit their head on the court from falling backwards. Some of that is a technique issue because we really shouldn't be backpedaling on a pickleball court. So I think, you know, once players get accustomed to the game, they get a little bit fitter, they get some instruction as far as footwork goes, you don't see, you know, a whole lot of injuries from there."

The merger of MLP and Vibe is great for the sport of pickleball as it will create a better TV product, offer more prize money and give the sport greater credibility on a larger scale.
 
Transcript: "The recent merger between majorly pickleball MLP and Vibe means very little to the average pickleball player. As these leagues are comprised by the very, very top Professionals in the world. They were getting divided into, you know, a couple of factions out their affiliated with two different tours. So for the pickleball fan, it means that will now be watching the best. Players in the world participate in team format pickleball which is really exciting and makes for good TV and I think the product will be even better going forward holistically, I think it's really great for the sport, it'll make for better TV and bigger prize money, and it'll just kind of help substantiate and give credibility to pickleball on a grander stage."

Players receive an objective rating based on wins and losses from 3.0 to 5.0, professionals can go above 5.0. There are also more subjective ratings based on self-seeding or professional assessments of skill level.
 
Transcript: "There are really two ways to answer the question of how ratings work and pickleball for competitive players participating in tournaments, they receive an objective rating based on wins and losses as they play in tournaments, they will likely be anywhere from 3.0 up to 5.0. The professionals, go above 5.0, so you might enter into a tournament based on your age and skill for example. Oil entering in the 35 Plus age group for 3.0 23.5 players. And ideally you're playing at, you know, against a similar level of opponent secondarily, there are more subjective ratings based on, you know, some places in the country. The courts are really crowded and they may have them allocated to different levels of play at different times of day. So either, You are self-seeding based on your rating or other place in the country. Have folks professionals, who will come and do the rating for you. Watch you play or put you through a series of drills and then let you know what your level of play is so that you can then play on the appropriate, Courts at the appropriate time."

Pickleball is still predominantly played in the US, but is quickly growing in popularity around the world. Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Europe, England, France, Australia and Israel have all seen growth in pickleball. The World Pickleball Federation is helping to spread the game globally.
 
Transcript: "In 2022 pickleball. Still play predominantly in the US. Canada has a good number of players Mexico. Costa Rica a lot of the resorts are attracting players down there and Europe England, France have pretty good scenes and down under Australia has a number of terrific players growing by the day. This past summer, I had a chance to join a group in Israel promoting. A ball as a part of the Maccabi games, the every four years Jewish Olympics. We taught a number of Israelis as well as participants from teams around the world. The Spanish players picked it up really fast. So pickleball is growing the world pickleball Federation is helping spread the game globally but right now pickleball is still played mostly in the US."

My number one pointer when it comes time to pick out a new pickleball paddle is to try a bunch of them. Head to the courts and ask your friends and fellow players for a demo or check out a local or online pickleball retailer that has a generous return policy or a great demo program. At a minimum, spend $75 on a quality paddle that will last you a year or two.
 
Transcript: "My number one pointer, when it comes time to pick out a new pickleball paddle is to try a bunch of them, a couple different ways you can do that head to the courts. If you're already a player and hit up some of your friends and fellow players at the course, most of them are really happy to let you try their battle, you know, for 45 minutes or maybe, even the whole game next would be either a local or online pickleball retailer. Somebody like pickleball central.com that either has a nice generous return. Policy and or a great demo program where maybe you can get three or four paddles in your hands for a week or so and then just go ahead and pick the one that you like best. I would suggest at a minimum spending $75, get yourself a quality paddle that will last you a year or two. Ed, thanks for your question. You are more than welcome to try my paddle next time. I can get you out there on the course."