Let’s Talk Pickleball

In this episode – Let’s Talk Pickleball . . .

Welcome back to On the Fly, your weekly dose of everything fun and active! This week, we're serving a fresh take on a sport sweeping the nation – pickleball! It's not just for bored kids in the 60s anymore, folks. Pickleball is exploding in popularity, especially among older adults, and for good reason; whether you're a seasoned athlete or just looking for a fun way to move your body, grab your paddle and listen up!

(Sound of a pickleball game – ball hitting paddles, laughter)

First things first, what exactly is pickleball?

Imagine a paddle sport combining badminton, tennis, and table tennis elements. Played on a badminton-sized court with a slightly modified tennis net, pickleball uses paddles and a perforated plastic ball. Points are scored like in tennis, but a unique "no-volley zone" near the net adds a strategic twist. That no-volley zone, or "kitchen" as it's called, prevents players from overpowering opponents at the net. This levels the playing field for everyone, making it perfect for people of all ages and abilities.

(Chuckles) Let’s be honest: the name "pickleball" is just plain fun! The official story is that the game was named after a dog, but there's also a rumor it refers to the mishmash of different sports it borrows from. Whatever the origin, it's a catchy name!

So, who can claim the title of pickleball inventor?

Buckle up because the story involves bored kids, creative thinking, and a summer afternoon in 1965. The inventors were Congressman Joel Pritchard, businessman Bill Bell, and their friend Barney McCallum. With badminton equipment unavailable, they improvised with ping-pong paddles and a perforated ball, lowering the net for a slower, more playable game. Soon, the rules were created, and pickleball was born!

Now, let's discuss why this sport especially appeals to older adults. Pickleball offers a low-impact workout that combines physical activity with social interaction. It's easier on the joints than tennis but still provides a good cardio challenge. Plus, the friendly and welcoming community makes it easy to pick up and enjoy.

Ask any seasoned player; community is key. Many pickleball facilities offer beginner clinics and social events, making it a perfect way to meet new people and stay active.

However, before hitting the court, it's important to prepare your body for pickleball action with these dynamic stretches, similar to the ones you did in high school PE class. Listen up, pickleball newbies!

Pickleball Warm-Up Stretches:

Let’s start with Neck Rolls: Gently roll your head in a circle five times forward and five times backward.

Arm Circles: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and make small circles with your arms, forward ten times and backward ten times. Gradually increase the size of the circles.

Torso Twists: Stand with feet hip-width apart and twist your torso slowly from side to side, reaching over your shoulder with each twist. Repeat ten times on each side.

Arm Swings: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and swing your arms back and forth, starting small and gradually increasing the range of motion. Repeat ten times forward and backward.

Leg Swings: Stand holding onto a stable object for balance and swing one leg forward and back in a pendulum motion, keeping your leg straight. Repeat ten times on each leg.

Walking Lunges: Step forward with one leg and lower your body until your back knee nearly touches the ground. Push back up to the starting position and repeat on the other leg. Continue walking forward for ten lunges per leg.

High Knees: March in place, bringing your knees up high towards your chest with each step. Do this for 30 seconds.

Butt Kicks: Run in place, kicking your heels up towards your glutes with each step. Do this for 30 seconds.

You might not need to do all these stretches but remember to breathe deeply throughout the stretches and listen to your body. Don't push yourself beyond your limits. It's important to get your blood flowing and muscles warm without overexerting yourself.

Bonus stretches: After the game, cool down with static stretches to improve flexibility and prevent soreness. Hold each stretch for about 30 seconds. Remember, the goal is to have fun and stay healthy, not push yourself too hard.

So, there you have it, folks! Pickleball: A fun, social, and accessible sport perfect for people of all ages and abilities. Whether you're looking for a workout, a social outing, or just a little friendly competition, try pickleball. You might find yourself hooked!

I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.

Noirmoutier: An Ocean Between Us, Gone in a Moment

In this episode, Noirmoutier: An Ocean Between Us, Gone in a Moment. Sometimes love waits half a century for its moment — and when it finally arrives, time doesn’t stand still; it disappears. The moment I stepped off the train in Nantes, it felt like time froze. There she was — my cousin Michèle — waiting on the platform, arms waving desperately. When we finally embraced, the fifty years that had passed between us disappeared in an instant. The melody in her voice was the same, but softer than I remembered. We both shed tears of joy that only come from love long overdue. “I’m so happy you are here,” she whispered, her voice trembling. Thank goodness for the translation app on my phone, because the conversation began immediately — fast, fluid, and unstoppable. The Frenzy of Catching Up As we drove for about an hour to the tiny town of L’Épine on the Island of Noirmoutier, the words kept tumbling out. Michèle and her husband, Alain, are the most gracious hosts — but my new challe...

Patience – the Only First-Class Ticket

In this episode, Why Patience is the Only First-Class Ticket They say travel broadens the mind. After eight days sailing the Rhône with 140 fellow luxury vacationers, I can confirm it also tests patience, calf strength, buffet strategy, and one's tolerance for people furious that France insists on being French. Don't get me wrong—I adored this trip. The river shimmered like liquid optimism. The villages looked hand-painted. The pastries could negotiate world peace. But somewhere between Ship Horn Hello and Bon Voyage, we'd inadvertently boarded a floating behavioral research study disguised as a holiday. Our ship was less a cruise and more a ferry for the Sailors of Status. ⌚ The Wristwatch Wars Some passengers approached relaxation like yogis. Others treated leisure like a final exam with extra credit. I came to believe certain luxury watches emit ultrasonic signals that only their owners can detect. A frequency calibrated to trigger rapid movement toward any line forming...

Our Journey to Avignon

🇫🇷 Lost in Transition: Our Journey to Avignon (Part 1) When everything that can go wrong—does—sometimes grace still finds you. Our Monday morning trip began on the quiet island of Noirmoutier , where salt marshes and sea breezes whisper of simpler days. From there, our early morning drive was uneventful; we arrived at the Nantes station with plenty of time to spare. From Nantes to Paris Montparnasse, everything went smoothly—so we thought, until it didn't. That's when things started to unravel. If you've never traveled the Paris Metro , imagine a vast underground maze pulsing beneath the city—corridors twisting into one another, trains roaring in and out of the dark, staircases that rise and fall like riddles. It's efficient, yes—but only if you know where you're going. We had over an hour and a half to make our next train to Avignon —plenty of time. Or so we believed. We needed to reach the Gare de Lyon station, where our TGV (high-speed train) was headed south...

Up the Rhône

Up the Rhône by Patrick Ball We booked a fine cruise up the Rhône — what a treat! With iPhones, lanyards, and schedules so neat. They promised us peace and a mind that would mend, But each calm beginning had chores at the end! "Now breakfast at seven! At eight, take the view!" At nine, there's a lecture on ' What Tourists Do!' At noon, there's a tasting (you must love the cheese), Then hurry to nap time — as corporate decrees! I followed that plan till my patience ran dry. The Rhône softly chuckled, "Oh my, oh my, my! You've missed half my sparkles, my ripples, my tone— You're busy pretending you've peacefully grown!" So I fired my planner and banished my clock. I tossed my agenda right off the dock! I let the wind tickle my schedule away, and drifted through hours that danced where they may. I chatted with swans, had no notion of when, I'd nibble, or nap, or go roaming again. No Wi-Fi! No meetings! No planning! No fuss! Just me and ...

On The Fly

Search This Blog