SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Adaptive Pickleball (APB) recently led a training session for Special Olympics Athletes in Columbia, SC. The local ABC news station attended the training session and aired the following story.

APB has facilitated six pickleball clinics in Greenville (Area 4), Columbia (Area 7), and Rock Hill (Area 11), Clemson (Area 13), and Charleston (Area 6). Our 2023 training sessions will include more cities/regions in South Carolina.

If you attended a recent training session, the following information will help you learn more about how to play pickleball, the history of the game, a rules summary sheet, how to keep score, and advice on buying a paddle.

APB is super excited to help Special Olympics South Carolina Athletes, Coaches and Volunteers FALL IN LOVE with pickleball.

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America. The game combines elements of tennis and ping-pong. The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players.

Pickleball was created in 1965 on Bainbridge Island (just outside of Seattle, WA) by three families who wanted to keep their kids from being bored during the summer. They used an existing badminton court, used some wooden beach paddles, found a plastic ball with holes and went to work creating this quirky game called Pickleball.

Pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court: 20’ x 44.’ The ball is served diagonally (starting with the right-hand service area), and points can only be scored by the team that serves. At the start of a point, players on each side must let the ball bounce once before volleys are allowed. There is a seven-foot no-volley zone on each side of the net. The serving team can only score points. A game is to 11 points, win by 2 points. 

Download a Rules Summary Sheet

For new players, keeping score isn’t easy. Watch this helpful video and play a few games with someone who knows how to keep score and it’ll become easy to keep score!

Choosing a paddle has become increasingly complicated. There are so many shapes, sizes, materials and brands that it’s confusing for both beginner and advanced players.

Expect to spend between $60 and $100 for a nice paddle. Paddles with the latest technology will cost between $150 and $250. Choose a paddle with a “USA Pickleball Approved” certification seal to ensure the paddle has passed basic quality control tests.

LOW COST OPTIONS:

Nuipipo Explorer | $45-$60 (amazon link)

Nuipipo Explorer Pro | $60-$85  (amazon link)

VALUE OPTIONS:

Engage Omega Evolution Max  | $80-$90 (use UP101 discount code)

Franklin Signature Paddle  | $80-$90  (use FORUM20 discount code)

Upstate Pickleball represents the greater Greenville, SC area. What started out as a few friends getting together to play Pickleball back in 2007 has blossomed into a very large and growing community. By the end of 2023, we will have over 100 dedicated public pickleball courts.

The Upstate Pickleball website shares helpful information. There’s a Current Playing Calendar, a Places to Play Map, and Resources to help you become a better pickleball player.