Introducing Pickleball for kids: Exciting New Way to Keep Kids Active in 2023

Pickleball has become fast-growing sport, particularly among children and teenagers. It is a paddle sport that combines elements of different sports like badminton, tennis, and ping-pong. The best thing about Pickleball is that it suits people of all skill levels and ages. It is not difficult to learn, but it can be a challenging and fast-paced game.

If you want to introduce your kids to this fun sport, this guide will help you start, including its rules, benefits, equipment, and tips for parents and coaches to help kids excel.

Benefits of Pickleball for Kids

Pickleball offers several benefits for children to enhance mental and physical activity.
It is an excellent cardiovascular exercise that can help children maintain a healthy weight,
It build endurance, and develop coordination and balance.
It can also improve their reflexes, speed, and agility.
It is also a sport that kids can play for a lifetime, providing an enjoyable and healthy activity for them well into their adulthood.
Moreover, pickleball allows kids to socialize and build teamwork and communication skills, whether playing doubles or against each other.

Equipment Needed for Kids Pickleball

Youth pickleball need the following equipment:

Pickleball Paddle

Getting a quality product is essential when picking a Pickleball paddle for kids. Several brands have launched Pickleball paddles specially designed for kids under 12. Here are some features that you must consider when purchasing Pickleball paddles for kids:

Weight of paddle

Junior paddles should be lightweight and easy to handle. The ideal weight for junior paddles is between 6.5 oz to 6.9 oz. This is the maximum weight suitable for kids and junior pickleball players.

Size of the paddle

Kids have small hands, which means they need a smaller paddle grip. Ideally, grips sizes for paddles start at 4 inches, which is considered small. This makes the ideal choice for kids under the age of 12.

The paddle is the primary tool to hit the ball over the net. It is made of various materials, including wood, composite, and graphite. For kids, a lighter paddle made of composite material is recommended.

Pickleball Ball

The ball used in pickleball is a wiffle ball with holes that make it lightweight and easy to hit. For kids, a ball with a lower compression is recommended.

Court

Pickleball courts are similar to a badminton court, measuring 20 feet wide and 44 feet long. Smaller courts can be created for kids using chalk or tape on a hard surface, such as a driveway or a basketball court.

Net

The net in pickleball is 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches high at the center. A portable net system can set up a court anywhere to play the game for much fun.

Pickleball Rules for Kids

Rules for child’s are similar to those for adults but with some modifications to accommodate their age and skill level. Here are the basic rules:

Serving: The serve must be made underhand and diagonally across the court. The serve must land within the boundaries of the service court on the opposite side.

Scoring: In pickleball, only the serving team can score points. A point is earned when the opposing team fails to return the ball within the boundaries of the court, hits the ball out of bounds, or commits a fault.

Double Bounce Rule: The double bounce rule requires the ball to bounce once on each side before players can hit it in the air. This rule helps to keep the game fair and balanced, especially for beginners.

Non-Volley Zone: The non-volley zone is a 7-foot area on each net side where players cannot hit the ball in the air. This rule helps to prevent players from hitting it without letting too close to the net and makes the game safer for all players.

Tips for GrandParents and Coaches

If you’re a parent or grandparent of a child interested in playing pickleball, here are some pickleball tips to help them succeed:

Start with the basics: Make sure your child learns the fundamentals of the game, including the correct grip and stance, how to serve, and how to hit the ball with a paddle.
Emphasize safety: Teach your child to play within their skill level and avoid taking unnecessary risks on the court. Also, make sure they wear appropriate shoes and protective gear.
Make it fun: Pickleball is a game that children can enjoy and learn from at the same time. Encourage them to have fun and try new things, whether playing with friends or in a competitive setting.
Practice regularly: Like any sport, pickleball requires practice to improve skills and build confidence. Set aside time for your child to practice regularly, alone or with a partner.

So they can play with their grandparents.

Pickleball Tournaments for Kids

Pickleball tournaments for kids are a great way to get them involved and provide a platform to showcase their skills. Local clubs often organize these tournaments, or organizations having all pickleball facilities.

Junior pickleball Tournaments typically include singles and doubles competitions, and players are grouped according to their age and skill level. They offer an excellent opportunity for children to compete against other players, meet new friends, and experience the thrill of competition.

Summer Camps

Pickleball recreational programs are a great way to introduce children to the sport or help them improve their skills. These camps are designed for children of all ages and skill levels.These camps provide a fun and engaging environment for kids to learn and play pickleball.

Pickleball summer camps typically include skill-building exercises, drills, games, and social and recreational activities. They are usually held several days a week and led by experienced coaches and instructors.

Pickleball as a Family Activity

sport of pickleball is a great way to stay active and spend quality time together. Parents can play with their children, and siblings can compete against each other.

Wanting to Play pickleball as a family can help build stronger relationships. It provides a fun and healthy activity that everyone can enjoy together. It is also a great way to introduce children to the sport and help them develop a lifelong passion for it.

Pickleball for Kids and Beginners

If you’re new to the sport, you must familiarize yourself with the rules of Pickleball. Each game is played to 11 points, and players must win by two clear points. Points are scored only to the serving team. When it’s your team’s time to serve, you and your partner will get to serve and score. You can continue scoring points until you fault, and then your opponents get the chance to serve.

In doubles matches, the score is called three numbers, the serving team’s score, the server number, and the receiving team’s score. If you win a rally against both serving partners, it is a side-out, and the receiving team becomes the serving team, and vice versa.

For singles matches, scoring is more straightforward since there is no second server. If the receiving player wins the rally, they can serve again.

Formats of Pickleball for Kids

Pickleball includes several play formats: open play, traditional tournaments, round-robins, ladder leagues, luck-of-the-draws, and shootouts. Some venues also have a challenge court occupied by the winning team until the challengers defeat them.

FAQs

Pickleball is suitable for all ages. It is especially popular with adults and seniors, but is becoming increasingly popular with younger players. The game is easy to learn and can be adapted to various skill levels, making it suitable for players of all ages.

It depends on the child’s interests and skills. Pickleball kids is an excellent option because it’s a low-impact, family-friendly sport for developing hand-eye coordination and physical fitness.

On the other hand, football is a great team sport that can be very competitive and help build strength and endurance. Ultimately, it’s best to let your child decide which one they enjoy the most.

Final Verdict

Pickleball is a great sport for youngster to learn and enjoy. It is easy to play, and the rules are not too complicated. With the rising popularity of Pickleball, more and more recreation programs and parks are now offering Pickleball in their youth sports programming. If you want your kids to be more active, introduce them to Pickleball. Hopefully, this guide has given you a good understanding of kids how to play pickleball.