Pickleball

[tower912]

I love golf too much when the weather is adequate to play pickleball in the summer.  I don't feel like joining a tennis/racket club to play it the other 4 months.   If invited, I will probably go and play a little.   But the bug certainly has not bitten me yet.

[rocket surgeon]

100% hooked on pickleball. Great game.

  goose guy-careful as it could turn your golf swing into a pickle ball swing

[MuggsyB]

Muggs

I hit hard as often as possible. I play quite aggressively and like win points with some style on the shot.

Goose,

My ping-pong and tennis styles are completely different.  In ping-pong I'm in constant attack mode.  We're talking supreme power shots on both wings with the ability to end points quickly.  On the tennis court I'm more like a no-see-um.  Annoying as fk with my lateral quicks, whipping (deep) top spin/cross-court shots from the baseline, occasionally unloading down the line, and making few unforced errors.   And if I feel personally disrespected I will unleash my drop shots which cause utter frustration leading to tantrums and complete humiliation. 

[Spotcheck Billy]

Goose,

My ping-pong and tennis styles are completely different.  In ping-pong I'm in constant attack mode.  We're talking supreme power shots on both wings with the ability to end points quickly.  On the tennis court I'm more like a no-see-um.  Annoying as fk with my lateral quicks, whipping (deep) top spin/cross-court shots from the baseline, occasionally unloading down the line, and making few unforced errors.   And if I feel personally disrespected I will unleash my drop shots which cause utter frustration leading to tantrums and complete humiliation. 

Is there any difference between your ping-pong and tennis styles when you jump over the net after a match?

[MuggsyB]

Is there any difference between your ping-pong and tennis styles when you jump over the net after a match?

Touche S-Billy.

[StillAWarrior]

I can't be the only one who wants video proof of Mugsy's ping-pong and tennis prowess, right?

[lawdog77]

I can't be the only one who wants video proof of Mugsy's ping-pong and tennis prowess, right?

[MuggsyB]

I never claimed to be a professional.  That picture is totally uncalled for. 

[StillAWarrior]

I realize that I'm resurrecting an old thread, but my family just started playing pickleball. My wife expressed interest, so my kids bought her a set (four paddles and balls) for her birthday early last month. Everyone seemed to enjoy it so they (with some help from me) bought her a nice portable net for mother's day. Our garage is behind our house and the concrete pad is large enough for a full-sized court. Right now, we've just drawn the lines with sidewalk chalk, but if we continue to play I'll consider something a little more permanent -- at least permanently marking all the line intersections so that it will be easier to draw the lines. It's really nice to be able to just go outside and play without needing to drive to a court.  Here's hoping we can all avoid injury.

[Jockey]

What I'm asking is if Djokovic or Nadal played pickleball would they lose to the so called top players?  Because I'm certain they would get thumped by the best in ping-pong and badminton.

I think you are wrong. If they grew up playing ping pong or badminton and trained just as hard, they would be the best. Other than pure athleticism, hand-eye coordination rules the roost in any racket sport.

[MuggsyB]

I think you are wrong. If they grew up playing ping pong or badminton and trained just as hard, they would be the best. Other than pure athleticism, hand-eye coordination rules the roost in any racket sport.

I'm not talking about if they played as youngsters as their primary sport.  I'm asking if they could pick up a pickleball racket today and thump the best players?  As for ping-pong I think it's a bit different.  Have you seen the best PPP (Ping Pong People) up close Jockey?  I have and they do some crazy stuff with the ball and have insane relexes as well.  It's not just eye-hand coordination.  Badminton I'm not sure but both sports use way more wrist speed than tennis, they're generally not two handed backhands.  The flick power backhand is a completely different shot in ping pong and badminton and obviously you can't dominate with the serve in the same way.

[MU82]

In today's NYT DealBook:

$377 million

— The medical costs associated with pickleball injuries in the United States this year, according to a new research report by UBS analysts.

[lawdog77]

In today's NYT DealBook:

$377 million

— The medical costs associated with pickleball injuries in the United States this year, according to a new research report by UBS analysts.

So, about the cost of an MRI, or
377 million in billed charges, Medicare will pay about 50 million, after write offs the AFlac duck will pay about 10 million, after charging its customers about 4 billion a year

[StillAWarrior]

In today's NYT DealBook:

$377 million

— The medical costs associated with pickleball injuries in the United States this year, according to a new research report by UBS analysts.

I get your point, but now do running. And calculate the value of the health benefits of increased activity.

[MU82]

I get your point, but now do running. And calculate the value of the health benefits of increased activity.

It's not a comment on how good or bad pickleball is, or the worthiness of it as an activity. It was just a stat I saw that I thought others might find interesting.

I've never played, but several friends do, and my wife and I are likely to join the fun at some point.

[StillAWarrior]

It's not a comment on how good or bad pickleball is, or the worthiness of it as an activity. It was just a stat I saw that I thought others might find interesting.

I've never played, but several friends do, and my wife and I are likely to join the fun at some point.

Didn't mean to be coming at you, MU82 -- it was more directed at whoever is publishing the research. And I did find it interesting.

But I've noticed a lot of commentary on all the injuries (not from you...in the press and elsewhere) and honestly wonder why all the fuss. Any time there is a significant increase in participation in any physical activity, there will be a significant increase on injuries attributed to that activity.  A lot of people who are playing -- myself included -- have had an uptick in their physical activity (and using different muscles than I've used in a while). IMO, it's a good thing, even if it comes with a risk. I find it frustrating because I've actually spoken with people who are reluctant to play because they've heard it was "too dangerous." Truth be told, it gave me pause very briefly because I haven't been as active as I should the last few years. I quickly came to my senses and decided that was stupid.

[jficke13]

The pickleball resurgence or rise to recent prominance is very funny. We played it in a HS gym class and I remember thinking it was goofy at the time. There were a handful of what felt like pale facsimile sports that we did and this one of them, Pickleball:Tennis, Korfball:Basketball. Who woulda thunk that it was pickleball that emerged?

[MU82]

Didn't mean to be coming at you, MU82 -- it was more directed at whoever is publishing the research. And I did find it interesting.

But I've noticed a lot of commentary on all the injuries (not from you...in the press and elsewhere) and honestly wonder why all the fuss. Any time there is a significant increase in participation in any physical activity, there will be a significant increase on injuries attributed to that activity.  A lot of people who are playing -- myself included -- have had an uptick in their physical activity (and using different muscles than I've used in a while). IMO, it's a good thing, even if it comes with a risk. I find it frustrating because I've actually spoken with people who are reluctant to play because they've heard it was "too dangerous." Truth be told, it gave me pause very briefly because I haven't been as active as I should the last few years. I quickly came to my senses and decided that was stupid.

Not a problem, and obviously you're right about there of course being more injuries because so many more are playing.

Plus, lotsa relative oldsters play pickleball. If we take it up, we'll be known as the "kids" on the court!

[The Sultan]

The pickleball resurgence or rise to recent prominance is very funny. We played it in a HS gym class and I remember thinking it was goofy at the time. There were a handful of what felt like pale facsimile sports that we did and this one of them, Pickleball:Tennis, Korfball:Basketball. Who woulda thunk that it was pickleball that emerged?

I think it makes sense considering you don't have to be very skilled to start up playing the game.  At least compared to a sport like tennis, which would rapidly get frustrating if you hadn't played it much before.

[lawdog77]

Padel is much more fun for us "youngsters"

[Jay Bee]

I just bought paddles. Yet to use them. I feel once I learn to play, I may quickly become elite.

[StillAWarrior]

I think it makes sense considering you don't have to be very skilled to start up playing the game.  At least compared to a sport like tennis, which would rapidly get frustrating if you hadn't played it much before.

This is exactly right. There are a number of built-in features of the game that make it pretty attractive for people who aren't very skilled to pick it up. The small court and whiffle ball slow things down quite a bit. It's hard to hit too hard and keep the ball in play. And the rule against hitting a volley right at the net also slows things down a bit. I think it all combines to allow less skilled players to have a pretty decent, competitive experience. It's hard for four people who suck at tennis to have a decent or enjoyable. Trust me...I suck at tennis and I've tried. My family purchased a pickleball set with four paddles and were able to immediately play well enough that it was a fun, competitive game (and none of us are tennis players).

[Jockey]

Yikes this thread just made me dumber.

Might need another random animal to get whacked so Muggsy can get back to posting in his wheelhouse.

Amen.

[Jockey]

I've never played.  Is it legal to tattoo the ball with no regard for the safety of your opponent?  I know they're like wiffle balls Goose but I'm pretty sure I could inflict significant damage. 

What?!! You've never played, but maybe you'll sign up for a 'tournament'?

I guess pickleball is like every sport. No difference between someone who never played the sport and those who play in tournaments.

I don't play tennis anymore, but maybe I'll sign up for the US Open.

[Jockey]

Is there any difference between your ping-pong and tennis styles when you jump over the net after a match?

His face plant meets the ground at a different angle.