Pickleball:
Learn the Game and Start Having Fun
R. Wayne Larson
Pickleball is for all ages, is all inclusive, and can
become very addictive. Since 2014, pickleball has
been recognized as one of the fastest growing sports
in North America. It’s no wonder since the initial
learning curve for new players is quick. This is
especially true for those who have previously played
any racket sport as the skills are highly transferable.
After a few lessons most students are ready to start
playing games. Like most sports, it is wise to start by
learning the proper techniques in the four basic shots:
serving, returning, dinking, and drop shots. Practice
does not make perfect, but practice with correct
techniques and coaching can make an enormous
difference in your learning outcome. The fun and
laughter experienced by most players is contagious,
and most players return to the courts within a day or
two, anxious to get back into the fair, fun-filled, and
friendly game of pickleball.
To get started all you need is
a decent paddle and a pair of
court or training shoes, as they
provide much better support
and a low-profile sole designed
for court play.
Of the many advantages
of pickleball, the promotion
of health and wellness through
active participation in playing a sport tops the list.
While pickleball clubs aim to encourage and promote
amateur games, they provide recreation for members
and promote opportunities for friendly games and
social activities.
Most pickleball clubs in Alberta offer the
following benefits:
• free group lessons that focus on skills and
drills practice
• vetted and experienced instructors using valid and
reliable lesson plans
• scheduled intra-membership round-robin play,
shootouts, and open play times
• socialization opportunities and functions
• access to information shared by other pickleball
clubs in Alberta and beyond
• comprehensive general liability insurance
Further, membership in Pickleball Canada gives
you — among other advantages — a monthly
newsletter, updates on rules and policies, reduced
fees for Pickleball Canada sanctioned tournaments,
tournament information, and liability insurance in
sanctioned tournaments.
For a helping hand, consider subscribing to free
pickleball videos from primetimepickleball.com,
thirdshotsports.com, or pickleballchannel.com.
There are now hundreds of videos on YouTube that
offer introductory, intermediate, and advanced
sessions on a wide variety of pickleball topics.
For more information, visit the Pickleball Alberta
website at pickleballalberta.org, check out the
organized clubs in your area, and then contact
your closest club to get in
the game. ●
Since retiring in 2013, after thirty-eight wonderful years of teaching at the
post-secondary level, R. Wayne Larson’s new-found passion is teaching pickleball
in Edmonton and Mesa, Arizona. Wayne (pictured above) enjoys playing and
teaching pickleball at recreational and advanced levels throughout the year.
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