Positive Energy from Pickleball

Although it has only recently emerged, pickleball has gained popularity and is practiced by many. This novel sport not only provides entertainment and physical development but also contributes to promoting the sports and physical training movement in the community, bringing a fresh perspective to the province's sports scene.

Fun and easy to play.

Regularly at 7 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Mr. Ngo Anh Sang, residing in Ward 1, Zone 6, Dong Ha City, goes to the sports field at the Vincom Shophouse Dong Ha complex to practice. For the past month, instead of playing tennis as before, he has taken up pickleball because he finds it a relatively new but very interesting sport.

Positive energy from Pickleball

Pickleball is a fun, easy-to-play sport suitable for many ages - Photo: DC

Pickleball is a sport that originated in the United States. From 1990 to 2000, pickleball began to spread to neighboring countries, with a series of international tournaments being organized.

With the establishment of the World Pickleball Federation in 2018, pickleball is now one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, with 60 member federations. The sport was introduced to Vietnam in 2018 and began to gain popularity around 2023.

In Quang Tri , pickleball is quite popular and gaining popularity quickly because it's an accessible sport for many age groups. "In my opinion, the appeal of pickleball comes from many factors, the most special of which is the combination of three sports: badminton, table tennis, and tennis, with a relatively simple way of playing."

On the other hand, this sport is slower than table tennis or badminton, making it suitable for both the elderly and children, so the whole family can play it. For those who already know how to play sports like table tennis or tennis, they can master the technique of pickleball in a short time. Currently, my wife and I are both practicing and adapting quite well to playing pickleball,” Sang said.

Pickleball is a competitive ball-hitting sport using rackets, therefore it requires the use of specialized equipment such as pickleball rackets, pickleballs, and a net. Both the rackets and balls are quite lightweight, making them suitable for everyone from children to the elderly.

Pickleball rackets are specifically designed to provide balance and control for players when hitting the ball. Pickleball doesn't require high physical strength but emphasizes technique, agility, and dexterity on the court. The match begins with a cross-court serve and continues back-and-forth until one side is unable to return the serve.

This sport is played on a hard court, 13 meters long and 6.1 meters wide; in the middle of the court is a net approximately 0.86 meters high. Pickleball also has a special area called the "kitchen" measuring 2.1 meters by 6.1 meters. In terms of rules, pickleball is similar to tennis, with serves directed diagonally to the opponent's side of the court. Points are scored when the opponent fails to return the ball or violates the rules of the game.

However, pickleball still has some interesting unique features: in the "kitchen" area of the court, players are not allowed to volley (hit the ball without touching the ground) immediately, but must wait for the ball to bounce before hitting it to the opposite side of the court.

Another new rule is that only the serving side can score points. If the serving side fails to return the ball or makes a mistake, the opponent loses the point but gets to serve again. Pickleball can be played in singles (one player per side) and doubles (two players per side).

Thanks to its fun gameplay and suitability for many age groups, this sport has become popular in Vietnam and is gradually gaining popularity in Quang Tri. Ms. Truong Thi Thuy Tien, residing in Ward 5, Dong Ha City, shared: “Recently, during a trip to Ho Chi Minh City, I was invited to try pickleball by many young people who were enthusiastically playing it.”

As a badminton coach, I quickly got into the sport and found pickleball to have many advantages and be appealing. It doesn't require high-intensity exercise; pickleball is quite gentle on the body. Some people who have problems with strenuous exercise can learn to play pickleball while still ensuring the safety and health of their muscles, bones, and joints.

Upon returning to Quang Tri, I inspired my friends at the badminton club to play pickleball, and then invited a few others to practice with me. I will further improve my skills, participate in intensive training, and spread the spirit of practicing this sport to those around me.”

Many benefits for health and well-being.

More than just a fun game, pickleball captivates sports enthusiasts with its numerous health benefits and positive impact on the entire body.

According to numerous studies, playing pickleball can reduce depression levels, improve concentration and cognitive abilities, and develop agility and flexibility through full-body coordination. Pickleball also helps build muscle strength and improve weight management, while offering cardiovascular benefits due to the moderate but consistent intensity of the exercise throughout the game.

Middle-aged individuals burn 40% more calories in 30 minutes of playing pickleball compared to 30 minutes of walking. Additionally, playing outdoors provides a sense of comfort and relaxation for those practicing pickleball.

Positive energy from Pickleball

Mr. Tran Nguyen Phuoc is one of the first people in Quang Tri to train and compete in pickleball - Photo: DC

Ms. Tran Thi Thuy Dung, owner of Quyen Hong Sport in Dong Ha City, said: “At the end of 2023, through the shop's dealers and partner companies, I learned that the pickleball movement was developing quite strongly in many provinces and cities nationwide. After researching through various channels, I decided to try this sport. Initially, I taught myself pickleball techniques with a badminton coach, then set up the badminton net and redesigned the court to play. In early 2024, I bought pickleball rackets and balls for my children and many family members to practice with. Although I've only been officially practicing for a short time, I find that pickleball is a sport that brings a lot of positive energy. Pickleball trains players in patience, endurance, and dexterity, which helps me improve my health. Practicing and playing pickleball outdoors after a stressful workday brings my family moments of relaxation.”

Through her own experience, Ms. Dung has imported many types of pickleball training and competition rackets to her shop, with prices ranging from 300,000 to several million VND for players to choose from. Currently, Quyen Hong Sports Shop has a full range of equipment, rackets, and specialized balls to serve pickleball enthusiasts.

As one of the first people in Quang Tri to practice and compete in pickleball, Mr. Tran Nguyen Phuoc, residing in Ward 2, Precinct 5, Dong Ha City, clearly feels the benefits and positive energy that this new sport brings. In April 2024, Mr. Phuoc decided to open a basic pickleball class in Dong Ha City.

To date, a considerable number of young people who love pickleball and want to train have contacted him. Not only does he seriously train and teach, but Mr. Phuoc also registers for and participates in many pickleball tournaments, most notably the VTV8-La Queenara 2024 Community Pickleball International Tournament held in Quang Nam.

For him, the tournament was a great experience that helped him gain more skills in training and competing in pickleball, making him more proficient and professional. Phuoc said: “Currently, I am teaching basic pickleball to about 14 students, divided into two classes. The students are of all ages, including young students aged 7-10 who are very enthusiastic and enjoy pickleball.”

In the near future, I will participate in an advanced pickleball coaching course in Hanoi, and then continue to contribute to the development of pickleball training and competition in the area by opening more classes. This coming August, I will establish the Dong Ha City Pickleball Club with an expected 15-20 members, helping the pickleball movement spread even more widely throughout the province.”

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