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What ’ s News in Pickleball
SCIENCE OF PICKLEBALL
By Joe Dinoffer
For this issue , let ’ s compare pickleball point length and actual play time to tennis . Buckle your seat belt , as the facts are quite stunning !
Statistic # 1 : What is the average length of a point in tennis versus pickleball ?
Despite the fact that we remember the extra-long points in both sports , the average point length in tennis is only three shots . That includes the serve and return of serve , making those two shots disproportionately important . How does this tennis point length compare to pickleball ? The average point length in pickleball is three times longer than tennis , at nine ball strikes per point ! How is this possible ? Two primary reasons : first , the serve is far less dominant in pickleball than tennis ; and second , the rules in pickleball encourage touch shots due to the kitchen line rule being an important part of the sport .
Statistic # 2 : What is the average amount of time per hour that the ball is in play in tennis versus pickleball ?
SPORT TENNIS PICKLEBALL Point Length 3 9 Playing Time Per Hour 11-12 Minutes 26-28 Minutes
USA PICKLEBALL ANNOUNCES OS1ST AS OFFICIAL SOCK AND COMPRESSION BRACING PARTNER
OS1st is a threegeneration family business that provides compression bracing and performance socks designed in North Carolina with patented Compression
Zone Technology using varied compression levels to target and support muscles , and patent-pending K-Zone Bracing Technology that provides the benefits of kinesiology taping treatment without the tape .
Now let ’ s take that a step further . Considering the breaks between points , we have analyzed how much time is spent playing versus waiting in both sports . In every hour of tennis , the ball is in play just 11-12 minutes ! It may sound crazy , but this is an accurate statistic . How about pickleball ? In every hour of pickleball , the ball is in play much longer … a total of 26-28 minutes !
CONCLUSION Armed with this information , pickleball players can now discuss the benefits of pickleball over tennis much more clearly than ever before . Pickleball offers more cardiovascular exercise and fitness than tennis . The truth is in the statistics ! •
Joe Dinoffer is a master professional in the USPTA and PTR , has written nine books , produced 22 DVDs , and has appeared on the Tennis Channel . His company , at
www . OnCourtOffCourt . com , manufactures training aids for pickleball and tennis , and he shares that experience and passion in this regular column for Pickleball Magazine . He has also produced dozens of pickleball tips for YouTube .
Both technologies use textile engineering to provide pain treatment and prevention for plantar fasciitis , bunions , runner ’ s knee , shin splints , foot pain , leg pain , and other conditions . The science behind every OS1st product is what makes it the number-one compression bracing product in specialty retail in the United States .
USA Pickleball members can visit
USAPickleball . org for more details about the partnership . •