I recently played pickleball with The Most Aggressive Lady on Earth. Every shot was a drive; a yelp; a fist pump; a scream.
Let’s call this player, Edgy.
It was clear that Edgy had quite a bit of pickleball experience. It was also clear that her enthusiasm wasn’t received with open paddles. The 20 or so people at our open play nodded, winked, laughed, and shrugged off Edgy’s antics. It was just Edgy being Edgy.
Recently, I skipped out on my weekly Wednesday night pickleball league; it was raining cats and dogs. Then, I skipped my Thursday night league to help my son finish a school project. So it was two unplanned pickleball absences. I was bummed to miss an opportunity to play. And a couple of days later, I beat myself up for missing exercise.
However, as a few more days passed, I started to feel energized. Spry!
Even though it’s Wellness 101, I had once again forgotten the importance of resting my body.
Here is the simple truth: “Pickleball Elbow” is not a unique medical condition. It is almost always Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)—inflammation of the tendons on the outside of the elbow. If the pain is on the inside of the elbow, that is Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow). Both are caused by one thing: Overuse. The cure is the “R.I.C.E” method, checking your grip size, and putting the paddle down for 2 weeks so you don’t lose 2 months.
When I first started to play pickleball, it was to avoid the strain that tennis put on my lower back. However, I quickly learned that pickleball is not necessarily better for my damaged sacroiliac joints despite being easier on my muscles. But that hasn’t stopped me from playing!
The longevity of a pickleball paddle is based on the frequency of play, the aggressiveness of your strokes, temperature, common-sense care, and several other variables.
The issue never occurred to me until two weeks ago when I was having a dreadful night on the court. Rather than self-reflect and recognize that I was tired, distracted, and frustrated, I did the next logical thing–I blamed my paddle. Equipment malfunction!
I often marvel that NFL players can take monster hits and get back to their feet unscathed. Meanwhile, I’ve pulled muscles getting out of bed, making a cup of coffee–even sneezing! But I digress. The point is that many articles surrounding pickleball being a dangerous sport are clickbait. Or worse yet, these awful articles are designed to undermine the sport’s growth. If you’re living and breathing, you are prone to injury. And there will always be freak accidents. But that said, people who play pickleball are prone to specific injuries. Here are the eight most common pickleball injuries.
Why is it called pickleball is a question that has sparked much debate, particularly over the past few years as the sport has grown. Today, pickleball is played by over 37 million people in the U.S. and more around the world, all of who enjoy its fast-paced and competitive nature. So where did the awesome game get its salty name?
The Forehand Drive is not designed to win the point instantly; it is designed to result in a weak return (a “pop-up”) that you or your partner can smash. The “Golden Rule” of driving is simple: Only drive if you are balanced and the ball is short. If you are running backward or the ball is deep at your feet, do not drive—hit a drop shot. A bad drive is an unforced error; a good drive is a setup for the “Shake and Bake.”
The drive is an essential shot in pickleball. From catching your opponent off-guard with speed to set up your follow-up shot, a solid pickleball forehand drive is a must in your arsenal. So when is the best time to get aggressive and drive the pickleball?
While Merriam-Webster foolishly chose “gaslighting” as the word of the year, I like my choice better: pickleball.
The three-syllable noun defined my 2022. I started with the sport in March, yet it feels much longer, and that’s a good thing!
I set a goal to play the sport with minimal expectations. But I fell in love; all-consuming love!
Pickleball addiction is scientifically linked to the “dopamine loop” created by rapid, short rallies and the instant gratification of scoring. Additionally, it fulfills the psychological need for a “Third Place”—a community space outside of home and work—providing social connection and a “flow state” that reduces stress and anxiety.
Over the past year, it has been impossible to escape the pickleball fever that has swept the nation. But, as the fastest-growing sport continues to claim more pickleball addicts, many people are wondering why is pickleball so addictive.
You probably find yourself playing more and more if you are a player. And when you’re not playing pickleball, you are thinking about pickleball or talking about pickleball or dreaming about pickleball. What gives?!
I finally figured out why I’ve run into a bit of a wall on my pickleball journey during one of my casual weekly leagues: I’ve become a marked man.
At first, it was my age. Despite being in my mid-forties, I was one of the younger players. This would often lead to players making excuses about their lack of mobility or agility when losing, but it did not stop them from attempting to slam the ball in my face. I was a target.