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| Pickleball promises to become increasingly popular, offering many exciting experiences for players |
Spreading positive energy
Pickleball was created in 1965 in Washington, the USA. Joel Pritchard, the late US Congressman, along with his friends Bill Bell and Barney McCallum, were considered the “founding fathers” of this sport. Developing rapidly from the 1990s, Pickleball has quickly spread to countries around the world. Pickleball has been ranked the fastest-growing sport in a short period of time, a feat that few other sports can achieve. In Hue, Pickleball has developed somewhat later than in other provinces and cities across the country, however, this sport quickly attracts a large number of sports enthusiasts.
Pickleball is a racket sport played by hitting a ball back and forth over a net. This sport also requires the use of specialized equipment such as: rackets, pickleballs, and a net. The special thing is that the rackets and balls used in this sport are quite light. People can easily find rackets, balls, and clothing for this sport at all sports stores in Hue City.
Being considered one of the first people to introduce Pickleball to Hue, Dr. Nguyen The Tinh, Deputy Head of the Faculty of Physical Education, Hue University, and also one of the four international level 1 coaches (The International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association (IPTPA) for Pickleball in Hue, shared: “Early in 2023, while leading Hue University Student Football Team to a competition in Ho Chi Minh City, I was coincidentally introduced to and experienced Pickleball. Finding this sport quite new and interesting, I bought rackets, balls, and nets to bring to Hue, introducing it to my colleagues and Hue University students, and at the same time spreading this sport to the sports-loving community in Hue.”
Pickleball is a comprehensive combination of stance, tactics, health, and playing techniques, etc. According to Dr. Nguyen The Tinh, this sport does not require extremely high technical skills or dexterity, nor does it demand excessive physical strength when played for health purposes. This makes Pickleball easily accessible to the majority of people, especially middle-aged individuals, women, and children, who can also play it easily. “Being simple, easy to understand, and easy to play, Pickleball is a sport that welcomes all players,” said Dr. The Tinh.
The advantage of Pickleball is its affordable cost, making it accessible to a wide range of people. With a budget of just 200,000 to 300,000 VND, players can easily purchase a Pickleball paddle. Regarding clothing, players can choose clothing that is comfortable and convenient, based on their personal preferences.
Pickleball is a dynamic sport that doesn't require overly intense physical exertion. People with minor joint problems or injuries can still safely play Pickleball. Additionally, Pickleball can also create a positive impact and foster strong community connections. While not being considered a trend, Pickleball is expected to grow increasingly popular and offer many enjoyable experiences for players.
Strange but familiar
According to Dr. Nguyen The Tinh, the rules of Pickleball are quite simple and easy to understand. A pickleball court is smaller than a tennis court, and can be outdoors, covered, or indoors. The net is lower and divided into two equal parts by a center line. In Pickleball, the serve must be diagonal to the opponent's court. A point is scored when an opponent fails to return the serve or commits a fault. Games can be played to 11, 15, or 21 points, with the winning player needing to be ahead by two points, or reaching a certain score (depending on the specific ruleset).
Pickleball paddles and balls are typically made of wood or composite materials. Pickleball paddles are larger than badminton rackets, but smaller than tennis rackets. Pickleball balls have numerous small holes, are made of plastic, and have a better bounce than tennis balls.
Mr. Nguyen Thang Thinh, born in 1993, from Hue City, shared: “I have known about Pickleball for about three months now. For me, this sport is both new and familiar, because I used to play badminton for many years, so I picked up Pickleball quite quickly. After just a short training course, I am now able to master the rules, find effective ways to score points, and spend a lot of time practicing to stabilize my skills.”
Three times a week, after work, Ms. Pham Hoang Khanh Linh, a resident of Xuan Phu Ward, Hue City, and her friends gather at the Pickleball court to practice together. “I used to play tennis, but since Pickleball started to grow in Hue, I invited my friends to try it out and everyone enjoyed it. This sport is quite suitable for women because of its gentle gameplay, the racket and ball are also lighter than tennis; so, the movements are easier,” excitedly shared Ms. Khanh Linh.
With the increasing popularity of Pickleball, there are currently over 20 courts opened in Hue, along with numerous classes and training sessions that are constantly enrolling new students. Many existing sports courts, and those belonging to organizations and units have been converted into Pickleball courts to meet the growing demand. Currently, although there are not many coaches for Pickleball in Hue, there are already some well-trained coaches with professional coaching certificates.