The Rise of Pickleball: How a Quirky Sport is Sweeping the Nation Retirees are flocking to pickleball in search of fun, fitness and community. One enthusiast shares his passion for the game.
On a sunny fall day in California, the steady pok-pok-pok of pickleball paddles rings out from court after court. Players ranging from grade schoolers to Baby Boomers dash around, focused intently on keeping the wiffle ball in play. Laughter and friendly banter mix with occasional shouts of “Nice shot!” when an opponent nails a winning slam.
This scene is becoming more and more common as pickleball – a sport invented on a whim in the summer of 1965 – undergoes a growth spurt across the United States. Trend pieces hailing it as America’s fastest-growing sport have become ubiquitous. Rookies are taking to YouTube University to bone up on pickleball strategy. Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson extols its virtues in Uber Eats ads, while NBA icons LeBron James and Kevin Durant are investing in pro teams.
So what’s behind this craze for a goofy-named game played with paddle bats and a plastic ball? For insights, the New York Times caught up with enthusiast Carl Landau, co-author of the book Pickleball for Dummies. As both an evangelist for and amateur semi-pro player of the game, Landau shared his thoughts on what’s driving pickleball’s rise.
An AccessibleGateway Sport
Landau says pickleball owes much of its popularity to having a short learning curve compared to many racket sports. Within minutes, first-timers can grasp the basic mechanics – serving the ball diagonally to the opponent’s service court, letting it bounce once before volleying, scoring points. While advanced plays take dedication to master, the low barrier to entry sets the stage for quick fun.
“I think this is probably the number one reason why it is so popular – in 30 minutes you can learn the game and actually play a game,” Landau says. Unlike tennis, good hand-eye coordination matters more than sheer athleticism. The elements of pickleball combine into a game where novices and experts can enjoy friendly competition together.
Multi-Generational Appeal
From kids tagging along with their grandparents to middle-aged parents introducing it at the family reunion, pickleball encourages age-inclusive play. The smaller court size allows players to cover it without excessive running, making it accessible for a wide range of ages and mobility levels.
Plus, it facilitates quality bonding time across generations in an era when families often feel fractured by busy schedules and digital distractions. As Landau puts it, “It’s a great way to play with your family, and I mean men and women, parents and kids, grandparents and grandkids can play together.”
Never Too Late to Rally
As the youngest Baby Boomers enter their late 50s and 60s, thoughts shift to how – and where -- one will spend their retirement years. Pickleball’s explosive growth tracks closely with burgeoning numbers of Americans reaching their sunset seasons...and realizing they still want to remain active.
Why turn to pickleball versus other recreational options? For one, research clearly shows that staying physically and socially engaged correlates strongly with emotional well-being. The friendly competition and point scoring of pickleball checks both those boxes. Secondly, the game allows players to raise or lower the intensity to suit their age and skill level. At the same time, players reap gains in balance, coordination, flexibility and reaction time.
Not Your Grandfather’s Shuffleboard
Between pickleball’s silly name and quirky origins, some incorrectly assume it’s just an updated version of old-school cruise ship shuffleboard. Professional players such as Landau eagerly refute that perception. As awareness spreads of pickleball tournaments with thousands of dollars in prize money, top competitors playing at lightning speed, and big-name team investors, the game’s public image changes from punchline to powerhouse.
Seeing pickleball played well demolishes misperceptions that it’s a slow or wimpy game. Matches feature athletic dives for the ball, breathtaking volleys at net, and whizzing serves that kick a player’s pulse into overdrive. At the highest tiers, victories hinge on players psyching out their opponents – not unlike chess masters trying to foresee moves across the board.
In Landau’s view, Athletics and strategy converge to yield “really Fun and exciting play” with mass spectator appeal much like other racket sports. Don’t be surprised if coverage of professional pickleball soon vies with tennis and ping-pong on TV.
Not Just Fun and Games
Pickleball boosters point to quantifiable physical, mental and emotional benefits beyond entertainment value. First, it provides a moderate cardio workout that burns roughly 5 calories per minute. The start-stop flow keeps heart rates up, improving conditioning over time.
Moreover, the lateral movement works muscle groups less targeted in straight-line running sports. This translating into better balance and stability year-round.
Secondly, executing placement shots, rapid exchanges at net, and irregular bounce patterns activates cognitive skills. Studies show these types of activities help maintain neural connections. As Landau notes, a victory often goes to “the patient player” who out-thinks their opponent.
Last but not least, the social chemistry fosters meaningful connections. Pickleball get-togethers lead to fast friendships as the congenial environment bonds strangers through shared laughs, triumphs and flubs.
Bringing People Together
Landau sees open-armed inclusiveness as another factor behind pickleball’s meteoric rise. Nothing about it excludes people due to innate traits – anyone and everyone can play regardless of natural athletic gifts. Novices quickly earn encouragement to persevere until shots start sinking in.
He recalls often inviting curious onlookers walking by the courts to give it a quick trial. Their curiosity gets piqued watching others run around whacking a Wiffle ball. Before long, the newbie gets bit by the picklebug once they connect the paddle to ball for the first satisfying ding. As Landau puts it, “Within a minute they’re hitting it and realize ‘Hey, this is really easy and fun!’”
It's a scene duplicated across the country countless times a day, ever widening pickleball's participant pool. Some get drawn in by friends already playing, others by community center promotions. However the spark happens, more and more Americans are catching the fever – and loving it.
In fact, Landau predicts most sizeable U.S. cities will soon add dedicated pickleball facilities to meet demand. That’s good news for devotees wishing to sharpen their short-range game or setup strategy. It also bodes well for generations of future players embracing a new tradition of friendly competition and intergenerational rapport. Game, set...and match for the unlikely pickleball empire!
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