by Don Johnston
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States today. The love for this sport comes from the inexperienced all the way up to the athletic veteran willing to learn this new and exciting sport. Pickleball is a combination of tennis and ping pong. Players need only a paddle and the desire to learn and have fun. And for those who want to play from a wheelchair, well, the rules of the sport have been modified in order to include the wheelchair athlete.
So, this sport has been modified to allow our competitive juices to flow. The modifications have been designed and adapted in such a way that the chair competitor can compete and play with the abled and disabled alike. The rules state that the wheelchair is a part of the player’s body. So control of the chair and paddle are vital along with the speed of play. Players using a wheelchair may allow the ball to bounce twice on their side of the court before returning the ball to the other side. Another modification is to allow the rear wheels, which are on the playing surface, to stay behind the baseline. The front wheels can be positioned inside the line.
The game requires quick hand-to-eye coordination and a basic understanding of scoring. The pickleball game is fast-paced, accessible and modified for athletes of all shapes, sizes, and abilities. If you are interested in trying out the fastest growing sport, check out thrivetennis.org.
