The Ultimate Guide to Essential Pickleball Equipment
August 05, 2022
Read this ultimate guide to essential pickleball equipment if you’re considering playing the game. You need this gear to improve your overall performance..
by
Pickleball is a blast. There’s nothing better than running around the court, trying to score a point against your opponent. It’s unwise to step onto the court with zero supplies, though. If you’re a beginner in the sport, read the ultimate guide to essential pickleball equipment. You should check off every item on the list before playing your first match. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
A Pickleball Paddle
A pickleball paddle might be the most important piece of pickleball gear you need to play the game. Choosing the right paddle is crucial for improving your game. The weight and grip size are the two most vital components for finding the best paddle.
Regarding weight, it’s a matter of preference and ability. Paddles can range from 6 to 14 ounces, with most composite paddles falling in the middle. For someone with pre-existing injuries that could hinder them, going with a lighter paddle is ideal because you have more control. On the other hand, striking the pickleball with a heavier paddle has more ferocity but less control.
For the grip, it must match your hand like a glove. Having a paddle with an incorrect grip could lead to complications, including the paddle slipping out of your hand entirely. Additionally, it could lead to a nagging tennis elbow, requiring you to rest until the pain subsides. For the best practice, begin using a grip you might feel is too small. A smaller grip gives your wrist some leeway to put spin on shots and deliver powerful serves. A larger grip provides more stability and is kinder to your elbow, assuming it fits your hand well.
The Pickleball Itself
Of course, you need an actual pickleball to play a match. Pickleballs are unlike any other sport’s ball out there. They’re the same size as a tennis ball, but they’re made of plastic, like a wiffleball. It’s vital that the ball is in good shape. Playing with a cracked pickleball will make the game much more challenging than it has to be. New pickleballs are the most durable and have a superior bounce that older balls don’t have. Consider buying multiple pickleballs at once so that you never run out, and you can switch one out if you’re unhappy with its performance.
A Pickleball Net
Like many racquet/paddle sports, pickleball requires a net on its court. The standard size of a pickleball net is 36 inches high by 22 feet wide, with a slight sag in the middle that puts the net a couple of inches shorter. The net attaches to two 24-inch posts and hangs over the center court.
A pickleball net is smaller than a tennis net by six inches in height, and the service rules differ. In tennis, if a serve taps the net and lands safely on the court, it’s considered a “let,” necessitating the server to hit it again. In pickleball, the ball is live, and the action continues. And if the pickleball strikes the net and goes out of bounds or lands in the kitchen, you lose service.
Pickleball Shoes