A Pickleball confession

Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
One unmentioned feature of Pickleball is that it allows athletic people to shine who otherwise would not get past the technical barriers of tennis, table tennis or badminton. This seems to be especially true for athletic women. In many cases, women are fitter than men because they are seriously into yoga, pilates, gym etc. Now these women can shine in a sport in which they did not have to pay the dues from childhood. In the Pickle social I attended, more than half were women. Finally, we have a sport which rewards athleticism instead of technical skills and yet is social and affordable and not dangerous.


I'm sorry but fit yoga women still suck at PB. It's a total hand eye game. My sister and brother in law are workout junkies but play few sports. They took up PB for the ease of entry and had been playing regularly all summer and fall. They introduced my wife and I to the sport. By the second time out we were blanking them 11-0.

To me the game is for unfit coordinated people with fast reflexes.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
women in shape … old dude like you can play … you should rethink not enjoying it. 8-B

Question: do you see the wiffle good with progressive glasses? My wife is playing in hers and doing pretty good with them. I’m glad we both are playing with eye protection.

Pickle is worse for me. Short distances mean the ball blurs as it moves due to my progressive lenses. My astigmatism hampers side vision. One of the courts I play on is shared with basketball and the Pickle lines are yellow on a cream surface. I can't see the lines clearly either. My eyesight is a serious limitation in Pickle.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
I'm sorry but fit yoga women still suck at PB. It's a total hand eye game. My sister and brother in law are workout junkies but play few sports. They took up PB for the ease of entry and had been playing regularly all summer and fall. They introduced my wife and I to the sport. By the second time out we were blanking them 11-0.

To me the game is for unfit coordinated people with fast reflexes.

Is the comparison guavas to guavas since you play tennis and they presumably don't?
 

Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
Is the comparison guavas to guavas since you play tennis and they presumably don't?

that was kinda my point. I have hand eye coordination. They have yoga/Pilates/gym athleticism. It was no contest.

you had indicated that fit women with yoga experience had a leg up. They don’t. I’d take a high average bowler over a gym rat in PB.
 

allrounder

New User
Just a thought here from a solid 4.0 tennis player.
I have been watching the rise of Pickleball and envoius of the popularity it has gained. But with the quick pickup comes a lot of trouble IMHO.
The amount of bending at the hips for someone not engaged in sports earlier causes extreme stress on the lower back especially for folks who are heavy from the hips and above (no pun intended).
If you fit from playing any sport, then no issues, go ahead and enjoy the sport.
I would prefer Table-tennis instead. Provides as much cardio as pickleball but is unfortunately an indoor sport.
 

nyta2

Hall of Fame
Just a thought here from a solid 4.0 tennis player.
I have been watching the rise of Pickleball and envoius of the popularity it has gained. But with the quick pickup comes a lot of trouble IMHO.
The amount of bending at the hips for someone not engaged in sports earlier causes extreme stress on the lower back especially for folks who are heavy from the hips and above (no pun intended).
If you fit from playing any sport, then no issues, go ahead and enjoy the sport.
I would prefer Table-tennis instead. Provides as much cardio as pickleball but is unfortunately an indoor sport.
+1
i always though PB resembled table tennis,... but playing on the table :p
that said, i'd do PB for the social aspect.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
that was kinda my point. I have hand eye coordination. They have yoga/Pilates/gym athleticism. It was no contest.

you had indicated that fit women with yoga experience had a leg up. They don’t. I’d take a high average bowler over a gym rat in PB.

I find that the bending down constantly and the speed with which the kitchen needs to be approached even at slightly advanced levels of play put much more strain on me than tennis where the time intervals are much larger by comparison.

Last week I faced serves by a Pickle coach (former college tennis player) who competes in Pickle tourneys now. Several were aces. I didn't know you could hit aces in Pickle. Others were so fast that when I touched them, the return crossed the opposite baseline.

Pickle is a very difficult sport. Eyesight has to be perfect, bending should be no problem, quickness is a must. Other than a little side and underspin, topspin is useless. Points are longer and there is no gap between them. Raw ability and fitness shines through.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
Just a thought here from a solid 4.0 tennis player.
I have been watching the rise of Pickleball and envoius of the popularity it has gained. But with the quick pickup comes a lot of trouble IMHO.
The amount of bending at the hips for someone not engaged in sports earlier causes extreme stress on the lower back especially for folks who are heavy from the hips and above (no pun intended).
If you fit from playing any sport, then no issues, go ahead and enjoy the sport.
I would prefer Table-tennis instead. Provides as much cardio as pickleball but is unfortunately an indoor sport.

I play table tennis in the room next to where I play Pickle. Unless you are talking pro level, I don't find TT to require even a fraction of the cardio as Pickleball.

Badminton, yes.
 

allrounder

New User
I play table tennis in the room next to where I play Pickle. Unless you are talking pro level, I don't find TT to require even a fraction of the cardio as Pickleball.

Badminton, yes.
TT and Pickleball are similar, if you just want to just stand around and tap the ball - no cardio. If you want to put an effort to move and play, then there is the same level of cardio even at non-PRO level. I have played Tennis, TT and Badminton. Currently only Tennis.
 

Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
I play table tennis in the room next to where I play Pickle. Unless you are talking pro level, I don't find TT to require even a fraction of the cardio as Pickleball.

Badminton, yes.

I have played racketball, squash, table tennis, tennis, pickle ball, badminton all at least enough times to be competent (PB, badminton, table tennis) or reasonably good (racketball, squash, tennis). Squash is the hardest workout by far. table tennis the least. badminton, tennis and racketball are pretty similar. Pickleball is less workout than those.
 
Doesn't this thread belong in the PICKLEBALL section of the forums?
Plus you should all be ashamed of yourselves. Playing pickleball, talking about it and buying the stupid paddles.
If you want something smaller and that you can play anywhere without infringing on tennis clubs, play table tennis!!!!
It is very difficult and demanding to play well, and you'll become a far better tennis player for it. Just ask Roger Federer.
Pickleball is the worst racquet sport in the world, lots of stupid people running tennis clubs are either wasting money converting existing tennis courts or building seperate pickeball courts.
This is a major fad and most people will get bored of this "sport" and the only people playing this are the idiots and the elderly.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
Doesn't this thread belong in the PICKLEBALL section of the forums?
Plus you should all be ashamed of yourselves. Playing pickleball, talking about it and buying the stupid paddles.
If you want something smaller and that you can play anywhere without infringing on tennis clubs, play table tennis!!!!
It is very difficult and demanding to play well, and you'll become a far better tennis player for it. Just ask Roger Federer.
Pickleball is the worst racquet sport in the world, lots of stupid people running tennis clubs are either wasting money converting existing tennis courts or building seperate pickeball courts.
This is a major fad and most people will get bored of this "sport" and the only people playing this are the idiots and the elderly.
Table tennis never had the social aspect to become successful as a recreational sport on the US
 

Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
This is a major fad and most people will get bored of this "sport" and the only people playing this are the idiots and the elderly.

I've been tooting this horn for a while. It's got too many issues for it to turn into a lasting sport. I really get a racketball vibe about the sport.

Once real athletes invade the game, growing up from juniors, they will develop some techniques that will totally obliterate the common thinking in the game. Then everyone will realize they can't actually be good at pickle ball and the enthusiasm will die.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
A great tip: In places like rec centers where nets need to be put up, arrive strategically late so you don't have to do it. But not so late as to miss the first game.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
You sound like that guy that always shows up last for a doubles match so he never has to provide tennis balls.
No I show up early and pretend to search my bag for a new can and then gracefully accept the can provided by a sucker.

I am right now at a Pickleball session and typing this to avoid putting up the net
 
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kevin qmto

Hall of Fame
No I show up early and pretend to search my bag for a new can and then gracefully accept the can provided by a sucker.

I am right now at a Pickleball session and typing this to avoid putting up the net
I hate having to move those nets after these worthless sacks of human excrement leave them on the tennis courts when they’re done. I keep looking for weak points on these things to plan future sabotage of them but they’re unfortunately very robust looking and incredibly heavy.
 

ttbrowne

Hall of Fame
Oh the pickleball talent is everywhere. Dude, I have seen pickleball players who have been playing a year and still cannot hit groundstrokes. Cardio??? They're playing pickleball because they CAN'T COVER a tennis court, swing a 9.5 ounce racquet, nor move 5 steps backwards to get a lob. Give me a break. The only rule they left out of pickleball was it's illegal to move too quickly. The 75 year olds would've loved you for it
 

geddahon

New User
I came to know that the rec center nearest to me has open play Pickleball.

So last week I landed up at lunch time dressed for tennis but with no Pickle paddle. Immediately, the "Pickle ambassadors" for the site, the husband-and-wife team of Jim and Marsha welcomed me. They asked if I could play every morning. I said I had to work, to which their response was "Booooooo." It was clear that the purpose of life is to retire and play Pickleball. Marsha handed me a paddle and warned me it was all-wood and not powerful. I knew the rules but I refreshed my memories by looking at the ongoing games. Then I was asked to play. After the first point, Jim came rushing and offered me a better paddle. My team lost 9-11. Jim said he could tell that I played tennis. I told them tennis is my main activity. Another "Boooooo." I sensed a little jealousy of tennis.

I rushed back and bought a paddle from a tennis pro shop and returned the next day and played two more games.

Pickleball doubles is much more cardio-intensive than tennis doubles because of a) bending required b) no changeovers allowed c) quicker play.

I had taken a lesson last December and that was all. Learning curve is around 10 minutes - 5 minutes for the actual playing, 5 minutes for the rules to sink in.

Most people were old but a young couple was also playing.

I understand why any sane person would pick Pickleball in which you can be a 3.5 pretty soon (minutes for a former tennis player, maybe a couple of weeks for someone who has never played racket sports before) instead of taking 5 to 10 years in tennis and still having a ridiculous serve and looking like a clown like most league players you see. Tennis is finished, guys.
I have a ridiculously good serve and just started almost 4 years ago. I don’t really look at anything but mastering skills correctly even if it takes 20 years. What do I care? You play till like 99 years old. I gotta be able to do everything without moving a ton. My return of serve is also good. From failing and failing and improving. I have no ground stroke reliability yet. What do you expect ? I didn’t get orange ball tennis. Green ball etc. reflexes are faster when young. It’s like trying to be a black belt starting from black belt and blind since you can’t even read the rotation of a unicolor ball. That being said, pickle ball is basically a great foundation for tennis and shows us how we really are not the tennis now. It’s so fast it’s beyond conscious control. No one really knows how to teach it because we just say you have start be 4 yo to do anything. Pickle ball is very fun and the ball sports all add 6.6 for badminton and 10 years for tennis. So you got more time. How many people play and stagnate older ? We could never play with a 10 inch wide racquet. That inch changes 4000 rpm alone, add in that racquets are strung basically harder than wood. Lol, it was a lot more fun and precisional skill on spin etc. I hope to leap some pickles into tennis. We all know the feel of the weave is just more poetic.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
That being said, pickle ball is basically a great foundation for tennis

I have never heard of anyone transitioning from Pickleball to tennis.

For juniors, they have limited time and need to play tennis if they want to get ahead in it.

For adults, Pickleball is good enough for the rest of their lives.
 

geddahon

New User
I have never heard of anyone transitioning from Pickleball to tennis.

For juniors, they have limited time and need to play tennis if they want to get ahead in it.

For adults, Pickleball is good enough for the rest of their lives.
No it’s not. It’s orange ball kids tennis. The narrative that you need to start at 4 or you can’t play is ridiculous and completely false! No one is winning a grand slam. It’s a recreational sport you can play until you fall into the grave. Tennis adds 10 years to lifespan. Sure learn early. So many people don’t play for like 20 years and a week back they can hit how they did in highschool? Pls. Gymnasts are not doing triple vaults at 41 after a break of 20 years. It’s exalt like learning music, only thing I can compare it to. I hope they do come into tennis. They seem fun and badminton only adds 6.6. This is tennis of the WW2 gen. Like my Grandpa. Who mostly learned in retirement and taught everyone as he did. He beat 18 yo all state at like 80. I asked the Dude 20 times are you sure ? Most people know him because he plays jazz piano gigs. So obviously there is something missing here, like not knowing how to teach it, made it way too fast , balls are wrong color. Strings so hard we might as well be playing baseball. Top spin top spin top spin. If you do something and can’t teach it, that means you don’t know fully what you are doing or your potential. Just like a martial art. I’m coming up. And when I go up I will break you. I’m not winning. That’s not tennis. Lots of skills to work on. So fun.
 

geddahon

New User
I have never heard of anyone transitioning from Pickleball to tennis.

For juniors, they have limited time and need to play tennis if they want to get ahead in it.

For adults, Pickleball is good enough for the rest of their lives.
Also the only people that won’t play just do drills or do not play at all is always kids who played college and blah blah blah. Kept out of school for this sport and they HATE it now. I know like 7 people like that. At least one goes to drills.
 

mcs1970

Hall of Fame
I've been tooting this horn for a while. It's got too many issues for it to turn into a lasting sport. I really get a racketball vibe about the sport.

Once real athletes invade the game, growing up from juniors, they will develop some techniques that will totally obliterate the common thinking in the game. Then everyone will realize they can't actually be good at pickle ball and the enthusiasm will die.

The difference I see with Pickleball is that it is an outdoor game where I frequently see 3 generations of a family playing at a pretty good level.

Badminton was relegated to a backyard game. Tennis takes a while to be good and I have hardly seen 3 generations of a family playing it.

In this day and age where lives are more distant having grandparents enjoying an activity with younger generations is a good thing. Hopefully that continues though I don’t like that Tennis courts have been taken over due to this.
 

geddahon

New User
The difference I see with Pickleball is that it is an outdoor game where I frequently see 3 generations of a family playing at a pretty good level.

Badminton was relegated to a backyard game. Tennis takes a while to be good and I have hardly seen 3 generations of a family playing it.

In this day and age where lives are more distant having grandparents enjoying an activity with younger generations is a good thing. Hopefully that continues though I don’t like that Tennis courts have been taken over due to this.
We need it! No nurses left, and Tennis, of my Grandpas Gen.. so up to 1999-2018 tons of studies showing JuST TENNIS 2 hours a week adds 10 years to modern lifespan ? Regardless of lifestyle ? That’s the most potent thing we have. Heart transplant gets you 5 years. The game is way too fast now, the balls should be white still like golf and baseball for a reason, super bad on your eyes. Now it’s hard court and beyond even conscious control at the rpm’s. You don’t need to be hard core you just gotta be efficient. Over Athlete makes lifespan go down. Now it’s 24/7 12 months a year.
 

Ruark

Professional
I hate having to move those nets after these worthless sacks of human excrement leave them on the tennis courts when they’re done.
Note to mention drawing PB lines with chalk all over a gorgeous freshly finished tennis court. Idiots.
 
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