Favourite Things About Playing Pickleball

When you first get on the court, you hit the ball back and forth to let everyone get dialled in, so there's no ego or competition at first, just collaboration and co-operation.

It's popular among seniors who can't run or jump after the ball as well, but they can still kick butt because their shots are accurate and/or tricky and have good strategy. Still, a fast and athletic player will do well too.

When I was younger, I took lessons and played most summers. Being able to do a nice down-the-line backhand topspin shot (I call it the Dragonslayer) has won me a few points and always feels terrific.

(I prefer to call it ping-pong). The strokes that give the ball tricky spins more closely resemble ping-pong techniques, as the racquet is short and solid.

I started playing on a borrowed racquet. We play in the gym of a local church which has its own nets we set up.

While I prefer the indoor church court (because I'm more used to it), the outdoor game uses a slightly different ball and there's no risk of hitting the ceiling.

Plenty of funny moments when a ball takes a funny bounce or barely makes it over the net.

Some people never learned to backhand so they switch hands when it comes to their off side (e.g. left side for right-handed people). I've played with a lady who serves while walking sideways.

Sometimes a partner and I seem to be better than the sum of our parts

It's a fun way to stay active.