Description

What is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a fun sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. Played both indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis net. Two or four players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a perforated polymer ball, over a net.

Wyre Forest u3a has a vibrant pickleball group with four sessions a week, taking place at the Wyre Forest Leisure Centre in Kidderminster. All players are welcome, from those who have only recently started playing to those with a bit of experience. 
New players wishing to join the group should initially take part in introductory pickleball session(s) with Bob Kilmister prior to playing. Bob will go through the basics of the game, which is important to help you integrate in to the games and for health and safety. To attend please email  Bob Kilmister to arrange a session. In addition, Bob will also offer advice to any u3a member who wish to improve their basic game during the Monday 2pm session. There are also training sessions on some Tuesdays. If you are interest in trying pickleball out please email Bob to book.

We play doubles on a flexible basis, so there is time to sit out between games and these are played much more for enjoyment than competition. While there is sometimes some friendly rivalry, everyone agrees that win or lose, it's great fun and good gentle exercise too.

We have two groups running each week. If you wish to come along to see for yourself before deciding, please contact the Leader, via email above, with your name and contact details. It’s such good fun and really keeps you active! You can borrow wooden paddles free of charge by the leisure centre, however if you wish to play regularly, please plan to purchase your own equipment. 

Health and Safety

Be conscious of your own injuries and ability.
A few suggested warm-ups on court:

• Hip pendulums, forward and back leg swings, as well as side to side swings across the body (hold steady against a wall)
• Shoulder shrugs and rotations back and forward
• Arm swings of at least your dominant playing arm

In addition, use normal static muscle stretches before and after playing.
Avoid running backwards on court, reaching low to locate the ball or jumping in the air, remember the mantra, "if it's low let it go" and "if it's high let it fly". When the ball rolls onto another court shout "ball on court". Take breaks and drink water.
Warm up routines can be found at https://www.worcestershirepickleball.com/coaching/pickleball-warmup-routine

You should wear suitable indoor court shoes to prevent injuries and many players like to wear eye protection.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We book 3 doubles courts (16 players max) at 1pm and up to 6 doubles courts (32 players max) at 2pm on Mondays and up to 6 doubles courts (32 players max) at 8.30 & 9.30am on Wednesdays. Because of the demand for Pickleball, there is a booking system in place via an app, Picklebook. After completing initial training with Bob you will be added to the Picklebook system that will allow you to book on to the sessions.

You can familiarise yourself with the rules and how to play Pickleball on the Pickleball England website at https://www.pickleballengland.org/rules/

If you are a not a u3a member, you are very welcome to come and play for up to 2 times, after which you will need to become a member for insurance purposes. You can find out more about u3a membership here.