The court at Heinsite is considered a training court or a sport court. The lines are the exact dimensions as a regulation court and the net is standard. However, on a regular court, there is five feet of out-of-bounds on each side and four feet behind each serving line. At Heinsite, we do not have the standard out-of-bounds.
Kay Hein has taken pickleball lessons from a pickleball master and Kay teaches pickleball to members and non-members. There is no cost for lessons for members and the cost for nonmembers is $5/hour. The use of court is free for members and $5/nonmembers. The court must be reserved for use by texting Kay at 563-320-6555. The availability of court is in the non-class time hours. Contact Kay with questions about lessons or reserving!
The History of Pickleball
The inception: Pickleball was created in 1965 by four families on vacation in Bainbridge Island, Washington. The parents were trying to figure out some fun activities for their families and they had a badminton net but no shuttlecock and either no or not enough badminton rackets. So, through a series of improvisations and refinements, they ended up lowering the net, swapping in a whiffle ball for the shuttlecock, using ping pong paddles for the rackets, and allowing bouncing of the ball. Over time they developed a set of rules and a new sport was born! How Did Pickleball Get Its Name? – Pickleball Drive
Since its beginning, pickleball has steadily increased in popularity among all populations of people. It requires much less running and lateral movements than other racquet sports such as tennis or racquetball. It is more physical than ping pong and even though the ball is a version of a whiffle ball, the pickleball ball is heavier and can be hit with more force than a badminton shuttlecock.
Pickleball really began to take off in 2005 when the USA Pickleball Association was established.
The equipment: paddle, ball, court shoes (shoes which can help with lateral stability). A basic set of two paddles and four balls can be purchased for $50- $75. The court shoes will cost approximately $100.
The play: Generally, pickleball is played with four people – two on each side. The court is approximately half the size of a tennis court with a line down the middle of each side, boundary lines and a default line in front by the kitchen. The kitchen (the non-volley zone) is the first section of each court. A net spans across the two sides and sits about two inches lower than a tennis net. Serving is to be done with only an underhand swing. The served ball must land in the kitty corner quadrant and may not land in the kitchen area. The return serve must bounce before being hit. It is important to stay out of the kitchen! The game is played until one of the teams scores ten points.
The positives: Pickleball is an active option for most populations. Hand eye coordination, reflex and reaction and focus are all benefits. Not to mention it keeps the players moving! In addition, pickleball is a very social sport. While there are elites and pros in the sport, the majority plays for the health of it!
The negatives: There is a “joke” among pickleball players stating pickleball is the source of an orthopedic surgeon’s retirement fund. With that being said it doesn’t have to be full of injury. There are many safeguards that can be utilized to minimize the risk. It is important to play with people who will not push you outside of your safety comfort zone. Also, it is critical to understand your own safety zone. Unless you are planning to become a pro, just have fun. No-nos for safety concern include: running backwards, lunging forward and diving for a ball. Before entering a match be upfront with fellow players and state things such as, “I won’t chase a ball if I think I will get hurt.”
Now, how did the sport get its name? According to How Did Pickleball Get Its Name? – Pickleball Drive, The most popular (and fun) story about the name was supported by Barney McCallum (one of the founders) who says that the Pritchard family (another founder) adopted two cockapoos named Lulu and Pickles. Pickles would (unsurprisingly) run into the games in progress and scamper off with the ball.
Heinsite Fitness 