May 31, 2023 • 11 mins
Host: Mindy McCulley, Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky
Guests: Hardin Stevens, Extension Specialist for Family and Consumer Sciences, Dr. Amy Kostelic, Assistant Extension Professor for Adult Development and Aging, and Katherine Jury, Extension Specialist for Family Health
Season 5, Episode 38
Summer is upon us, so let's get outside and play. On this episode of Talking FACS, Extension professionals share about one of the fastest growing sporting trends to hit recreation - Pickleball! They help our listeners understand the game and share about its benefits. This is part 1 of a two-part series.
To connect with FCS Extension:
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:01):
Welcome to Talking FACS.
What you need to know about family food finance and fitness.
This nationally recognized award-winning podcast is hosted by the University of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Program.
Our educators share research knowledge with individuals,
families and communities to improve quality of life.
(00:24):
Hello and welcome to Talking Facts.
What you need to know about family food finance and fitness.
I am your host,
Mindy McCulley Extension Specialist for instructional support with Family and Consumer Sciences Extension at the University of Kentucky.
I am excited to talk about the topics that I know nothing about today.
(00:44):
We are going to talk about pickleball and our topic is what is Pickleball?
And my guests are Hardin Stevens,
who is our extension specialist for Healthy Homes and Katherine Jury,
who is our extension specialist for family health and Amy Kostelic,
who is our extension specialist for adult development and aging.
(01:08):
So,
welcome to the three of you.
Thank you,
Mindy.
Thanks for having us,
Mindy.
I think this is gonna be such a fun conversation because like I said,
I know nothing about pickleball.
So you are going to be educating me as we have this discussion today.
So my first question is what is pickleball and why is it so popular?
(01:28):
Well,
thanks again,
Mindy.
Uh Pickleball is everywhere.
Once you know what it is,
uh it is starting to be used in commercials and you're starting to see it in TV,
shows and movies.
But pickleball,
according to multiple sources is the fastest growing sport in America over the last two years,
(01:50):
I think COVID did play a part in that.
But its growth is because most ages,
body types and skill levels can play so anybody can play.
Uh It's easy,
affordable,
accessible,
fun,
social and a friendly game that combines features of badminton,
ping pong and tennis.
(02:10):
And it,
it's just a lot of fun to play.
There's a very strong social component to it as,
as well as far as the uh nuts and bolts.
If you will,
each player has a large paddle and a plastic uh ball and you can either play it on an indoor or outdoor court.
Uh The court is about the size of a badminton court and it has a net similar to tennis.
(02:36):
It is a game that beginners can learn quickly and many go on to become core players.
Uh and core players are defined as people uh who play eight or more times a year and you can either play as singles or you can play doubles.
Singles would be two players and doubles would be four players so very much like tennis and then the games last approximately 15 to 25 minutes in length and in a tournament format,
(03:07):
it's usually the best two out of three games,
win the match.
Ok.
Before we go any further,
I wanna ask this question because it's burning in my mind and maybe it is in our listeners too.
But do you score pickleball
Like you score ping pong or tennis or neither. Pickleball has a kind of a unique scoring system in the game of pickleball.
(03:33):
You call out which server is serving because you,
you,
you and your teammate both serve.
So when you call out a score,
it would be three serving two and then one and what that signifies is it's three points for my team is serving to two points,
(04:00):
your team and I'm the first server on my team.
So let's say we play and we get the point then my or,
or we don't get the point.
I'm sorry,
then my partner would call out the score three serving.
Three,
two.
(04:22):
Oh,
ok.
Ok.
So it's,
it's still one point for each ball I,
I guess would be the,
that is um missed like the other team gets the ball,
the point for the ball that's missed.
Right.
Correct.
Ok.
All right.
I'm completely off subject.
We weren't supposed to be getting into how to play the game yet,
(04:45):
but I was just thinking,
oh,
my gosh,
if you have to score this like tennis.
I'm gonna have to learn a new way to figure out how to,
to,
to,
to play the game.
But,
but let,
let me check with my colleagues and I wanted to make sure,
answered the question.
Ok.
All right.
So,
uh yes,
that,
that is the uh unique thing about pickleball is that the partners serve after each other.
(05:13):
Let's get us back to the nuts and bolts of pickleball.
So,
who's playing?
Well,
I think there's a uh perception,
Mindy that pickleball is just for us older adults.
But I think if you look at the demographics,
uh again,
I think all ages play now,
most um according to the Washington Post,
(05:34):
most players are older adults and retirees and that they're the,
the major group if you will is the 55 and up crowd.
I think you could,
there's different factors for that.
But uh all ages of people do play the game.
(05:55):
Well,
and I saw um in our conversation before that the average age of a pickle ball player is 38 years old,
which is a little on that,
the older side just if you're thinking about averages because you have to have a whole lot of younger people to bring that average down.
So it makes sense.
(06:15):
II I get that.
So what are some of the reasons for pickle ball's popularity?
Well,
I think uh there's a variety of reasons for its popularity.
Uh One of the things is uh that the courts are smaller.
So they require less uh running than tennis and less wear and tear on the body.
(06:36):
You can get uh four pickleball courts to fit onto one tennis court.
So again,
that kind of brings in the social aspect,
uh smaller.
Yeah,
that I referred to earlier,
pickle ball is very fun and easy and it can,
but it can also involve into a more fast paced competitive match or more experienced and skilled players.
(07:00):
So it's,
uh,
kind of,
it's got that laid back aspect,
but it also can get competitive depending upon who you're playing with as we go back to that courts.
Um I'm guessing it's because of the lighter ball,
it's not gonna travel as far as a heavier ball,
like a tennis ball.
So if you had that big tennis court,
(07:22):
you nobody would ever score because the ball would never go over the net are my physics right there.
Yes.
But also just the layout of the court.
Ok.
It,
I mean,
it is just uh played on a smaller,
smaller court.
Ok.
I'm sorry.
So I keep,
I keep having these thoughts that pop in my head because I don't know anything about this sport.
I,
and another reason I think for the popularity of uh,
(07:45):
pickleball is for people who've grown up playing other racket sports such as tennis and ping pong and,
and uh badminton,
it is,
is very similar to those sports.
And so it's easy to pick up for,
for former tennis players.
It also is very social and,
(08:05):
and that's an aspect that really would like people to consider.
It's,
it's not just about the competition,
but there is very much a social aspect to it.
It also encourages physical,
you're getting uh physical exercise,
you're getting uh social interactivity while you play.
But also as with anything,
(08:26):
the more you learn about it and,
and spend time on it,
there's a sense of personal mask,
mastery and getting,
getting better at it.
Also,
as I mentioned earlier,
it's just growing in popularity.
So there are many opportunities to play whether that's at uh open play at a public park or a league or clubs.
(08:47):
And also a lot of senior uh and recreation centers are offering classes or,
or open gym time to play.
Many faith-based communities that do have the facilities have it as well.
It's just fun to play because it does,
it's a,
it's a very good mix of the physical,
the social aspects.
So and it just seems like pickle ball is,
(09:10):
is everywhere and just continuing to grow and take off.
Well,
and as you going back to the size of the court though,
that helps me understand why any age player can play because it's not like you have to run 6 ft.
So maybe,
you know,
a eight year old could play against a,
a 68 year old and it wouldn't be the same as,
(09:33):
as an eight year old trying to play against a 28 year old in tennis.
Maybe that's just me.
But,
no,
I,
I see what you're saying and,
and again,
depending upon your interest,
it's funny you,
you read stories of some of the more serious players and they have,
uh,
maybe a tennis background but they,
(09:54):
they got introduced to the game of pickleball by wanting to spend time with their grandparents,
their grandparents introduce them to the game of pickleball.
And now these people are,
are playing it fairly seriously so that,
uh,
you do bring up a good aspect of,
uh,
the different,
uh,
ages being able to play together.
(10:14):
Thank you,
Harden.
That's really great information.
I know that we have a whole lot more to talk about as we delve into all of the benefits of pickleball.
So if you all will join me on another discussion,
we will visit more about pickleball on our next show.
In the meantime,
if you are just joining us,
(10:35):
you are listening to Talking FACS and you can find us wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.
Thank you for listening to Talking FACS.
We deliver programs focusing on nutrition,
health,
resource management,
family development,
and civic engagement.
If you enjoyed today's podcast,
(10:55):
have a question or a show topic,
idea.
Leave a like and a comment on Facebook at UK F CS Ext or send us an email at UK F CS ext at UK Y dot edu.
Visit us online at F CS dot UK Y dot U to learn more about the University of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Program or contact your local extension agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.
(11:24):
We build strong families,
we build Kentucky.
It starts with us.
Welcome to Talking FACS.
What you need to know about family food finance and fitness.
This nationally recognized award-winning podcast is hosted by the University of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Program.
Our educators share research knowledge with individuals,
families and communities to improve quality of life.
(00:24):
Hello and welcome to Talking Facts.
What you need to know about family food finance and fitness.
I am your host,
Mindy McCulley Extension Specialist for instructional support with Family and Consumer Sciences Extension at the University of Kentucky.
I am excited to talk about the topics that I know nothing about today.
(00:44):
We are going to talk about pickleball and our topic is what is Pickleball?
And my guests are Hardin Stevens,
who is our extension specialist for Healthy Homes and Katherine Jury,
who is our extension specialist for family health and Amy Kostelic,
who is our extension specialist for adult development and aging.
(01:08):
So,
welcome to the three of you.
Thank you,
Mindy.
Thanks for having us,
Mindy.
I think this is gonna be such a fun conversation because like I said,
I know nothing about pickleball.
So you are going to be educating me as we have this discussion today.
So my first question is what is pickleball and why is it so popular?
(01:28):
Well,
thanks again,
Mindy.
Uh Pickleball is everywhere.
Once you know what it is,
uh it is starting to be used in commercials and you're starting to see it in TV,
shows and movies.
But pickleball,
according to multiple sources is the fastest growing sport in America over the last two years,
(01:50):
I think COVID did play a part in that.
But its growth is because most ages,
body types and skill levels can play so anybody can play.
Uh It's easy,
affordable,
accessible,
fun,
social and a friendly game that combines features of badminton,
ping pong and tennis.
(02:10):
And it,
it's just a lot of fun to play.
There's a very strong social component to it as,
as well as far as the uh nuts and bolts.
If you will,
each player has a large paddle and a plastic uh ball and you can either play it on an indoor or outdoor court.
Uh The court is about the size of a badminton court and it has a net similar to tennis.
(02:36):
It is a game that beginners can learn quickly and many go on to become core players.
Uh and core players are defined as people uh who play eight or more times a year and you can either play as singles or you can play doubles.
Singles would be two players and doubles would be four players so very much like tennis and then the games last approximately 15 to 25 minutes in length and in a tournament format,
(03:07):
it's usually the best two out of three games,
win the match.
Ok.
Before we go any further,
I wanna ask this question because it's burning in my mind and maybe it is in our listeners too.
But do you score pickleball
Like you score ping pong or tennis or neither. Pickleball has a kind of a unique scoring system in the game of pickleball.
(03:33):
You call out which server is serving because you,
you,
you and your teammate both serve.
So when you call out a score,
it would be three serving two and then one and what that signifies is it's three points for my team is serving to two points,
(04:00):
your team and I'm the first server on my team.
So let's say we play and we get the point then my or,
or we don't get the point.
I'm sorry,
then my partner would call out the score three serving.
Three,
two.
(04:22):
Oh,
ok.
Ok.
So it's,
it's still one point for each ball I,
I guess would be the,
that is um missed like the other team gets the ball,
the point for the ball that's missed.
Right.
Correct.
Ok.
All right.
I'm completely off subject.
We weren't supposed to be getting into how to play the game yet,
(04:45):
but I was just thinking,
oh,
my gosh,
if you have to score this like tennis.
I'm gonna have to learn a new way to figure out how to,
to,
to,
to play the game.
But,
but let,
let me check with my colleagues and I wanted to make sure,
answered the question.
Ok.
All right.
So,
uh yes,
that,
that is the uh unique thing about pickleball is that the partners serve after each other.
(05:13):
Let's get us back to the nuts and bolts of pickleball.
So,
who's playing?
Well,
I think there's a uh perception,
Mindy that pickleball is just for us older adults.
But I think if you look at the demographics,
uh again,
I think all ages play now,
most um according to the Washington Post,
(05:34):
most players are older adults and retirees and that they're the,
the major group if you will is the 55 and up crowd.
I think you could,
there's different factors for that.
But uh all ages of people do play the game.
(05:55):
Well,
and I saw um in our conversation before that the average age of a pickle ball player is 38 years old,
which is a little on that,
the older side just if you're thinking about averages because you have to have a whole lot of younger people to bring that average down.
So it makes sense.
(06:15):
II I get that.
So what are some of the reasons for pickle ball's popularity?
Well,
I think uh there's a variety of reasons for its popularity.
Uh One of the things is uh that the courts are smaller.
So they require less uh running than tennis and less wear and tear on the body.
(06:36):
You can get uh four pickleball courts to fit onto one tennis court.
So again,
that kind of brings in the social aspect,
uh smaller.
Yeah,
that I referred to earlier,
pickle ball is very fun and easy and it can,
but it can also involve into a more fast paced competitive match or more experienced and skilled players.
(07:00):
So it's,
uh,
kind of,
it's got that laid back aspect,
but it also can get competitive depending upon who you're playing with as we go back to that courts.
Um I'm guessing it's because of the lighter ball,
it's not gonna travel as far as a heavier ball,
like a tennis ball.
So if you had that big tennis court,
(07:22):
you nobody would ever score because the ball would never go over the net are my physics right there.
Yes.
But also just the layout of the court.
Ok.
It,
I mean,
it is just uh played on a smaller,
smaller court.
Ok.
I'm sorry.
So I keep,
I keep having these thoughts that pop in my head because I don't know anything about this sport.
I,
and another reason I think for the popularity of uh,
(07:45):
pickleball is for people who've grown up playing other racket sports such as tennis and ping pong and,
and uh badminton,
it is,
is very similar to those sports.
And so it's easy to pick up for,
for former tennis players.
It also is very social and,
(08:05):
and that's an aspect that really would like people to consider.
It's,
it's not just about the competition,
but there is very much a social aspect to it.
It also encourages physical,
you're getting uh physical exercise,
you're getting uh social interactivity while you play.
But also as with anything,
(08:26):
the more you learn about it and,
and spend time on it,
there's a sense of personal mask,
mastery and getting,
getting better at it.
Also,
as I mentioned earlier,
it's just growing in popularity.
So there are many opportunities to play whether that's at uh open play at a public park or a league or clubs.
(08:47):
And also a lot of senior uh and recreation centers are offering classes or,
or open gym time to play.
Many faith-based communities that do have the facilities have it as well.
It's just fun to play because it does,
it's a,
it's a very good mix of the physical,
the social aspects.
So and it just seems like pickle ball is,
(09:10):
is everywhere and just continuing to grow and take off.
Well,
and as you going back to the size of the court though,
that helps me understand why any age player can play because it's not like you have to run 6 ft.
So maybe,
you know,
a eight year old could play against a,
a 68 year old and it wouldn't be the same as,
(09:33):
as an eight year old trying to play against a 28 year old in tennis.
Maybe that's just me.
But,
no,
I,
I see what you're saying and,
and again,
depending upon your interest,
it's funny you,
you read stories of some of the more serious players and they have,
uh,
maybe a tennis background but they,
(09:54):
they got introduced to the game of pickleball by wanting to spend time with their grandparents,
their grandparents introduce them to the game of pickleball.
And now these people are,
are playing it fairly seriously so that,
uh,
you do bring up a good aspect of,
uh,
the different,
uh,
ages being able to play together.
(10:14):
Thank you,
Harden.
That's really great information.
I know that we have a whole lot more to talk about as we delve into all of the benefits of pickleball.
So if you all will join me on another discussion,
we will visit more about pickleball on our next show.
In the meantime,
if you are just joining us,
(10:35):
you are listening to Talking FACS and you can find us wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.
Thank you for listening to Talking FACS.
We deliver programs focusing on nutrition,
health,
resource management,
family development,
and civic engagement.
If you enjoyed today's podcast,
(10:55):
have a question or a show topic,
idea.
Leave a like and a comment on Facebook at UK F CS Ext or send us an email at UK F CS ext at UK Y dot edu.
Visit us online at F CS dot UK Y dot U to learn more about the University of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Program or contact your local extension agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.
(11:24):
We build strong families,
we build Kentucky.
It starts with us.
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