Invented in the 1960s in the USA by Joel Pritchard, a former American congressman, while he was on holiday with his friend Bill Bell and they were trying to entertain their families during a summer day, the Pickleball it is beloved in the United States and, in recent years, has been spreading internationally. The two creators of the sport created it using ping pong rackets and a perforated ball on an old badminton court. We tried it at the Aspria Harbor Club, an oasis of sport and relaxation in the San Siro area, always attentive to intercepting the latest trends in fitness and well-being, and we fell in love with it.
“The pitch is made of concrete and is painted with a special paint. The Play-It company uses only three-layer eco-sustainable resin 100% made in Italy. Depending on the type of resin and how the concrete is painted, the speed is accelerated or slowed down. speed of play. Here in Aspria we have two medium speed courts”, explains Vinicius Trevisan, Aspria Harbor Club trainer. “Pickleball is played in singles or doubles, it is suitable for all ages and all levels of skill and/or preparation athletics The court measures 6.10 x 13.41 meters, almost half the size of a tennis court which has a length of 10.93 meters and a width of 23.77 intensity, because the game is mostly based on strategy. Played in singles, it requires more physical characteristics and is therefore also suitable for those who prefer more intense activities”, continues Trevisan.
The first thing that catches your eye when looking at a Pickleball matchl, in addition to the small size of the playing field, is the ball which, having a perforated surface, has a reduced speed. The racket, which has a rectangular shape, is usually made of wood and carbon fiber or graphene. Playing is simple: the ball must be hit like in tennisit can bounce or can be caught except when receiving the serve and on the subsequent return. This rule is called the “third strike”. There kitchenan area of 2.13 meters near the net also called no volley zoneyou can’t step on it, not even “fall” into it after hitting the ball. “The most complicated aspect is the scoring. Two sets out of three are played to 11 points. You only score a point when you serve. If you win on a reception you only cause a ball change. In doubles if you make a mistake in serving, the serve it goes to your teammate. The victory comes with only a two point advantage over the opponent”, concludes Trevisan.
It takes a few minutes to get comfortable with Pickleball. The single is very aerobic, the legs are stressed in every sprint and in every shot. The double is less so because the game is more tactical than dynamic. In addition to being fun, this sport promotes muscle strengthening, stimulates coordination, agility and mobility and improves cardiovascular health. It also improves concentration and cognitive abilities, stimulates the production of endorphins and promotes social interaction.
