Question 1

What is Pickleball?

Accepted Answer

Pickleball is a sport that combines elements from badminton, tennis, and table tennis. The game is played on a court with the same measurements as a badminton court. The net is similar to a tennis net, but 2" lower in the centre. It is played with a hard “paddle” and a hollow plastic ball with holes in it.

Even though pickleball is similar to tennis, there are important differences that make pickleball especially more accessible for children through to players of a certain age.
The most important difference is the speed of the ball. A pickleball ball travels at about a third of the average speed of a tennis ball which, combined with a court less than a third of the size of a tennis court, makes it suitable for individuals who are less able in skill or mobility.

Pickleball is a sport for all ages, backgrounds and abilities. It's easy to pick up for beginners and is a great way to exercise, keep active with friends and meet new people. Best of all, it's a low-impact sport, that's easy on the joints and it can help you build your fitness while playing a fun and challenging game.

Watch the following video to get a basic idea of the sport:

Question 2

What Training Sessions do LOCO Pickleball offer?

Accepted Answer

LOCO Pickleball run both Beginner, Improver and Intermediate Sessions at various venues in Nottinghamshire.  All the venues are indoor and have ample parking.

Beginner Sessions:
The Beginner/Taster Sessions are designed for those players who are new to the sport. Players of all abilities and age are most welcome.

Improver Sessions:
The Improver Sessions are for players who wish to progress from the attendance at a Taster Session, and for those who have played before and have an understanding of the basic rules and techniques of the sport. As you progress, you'll discover that there's always room for improvement, with both development in techniques and tactics to master.

Intermediate Sessions:
Designed for players who consistently return serves, understand scoring, and have some control over dinking, volleys, and third-shot drops. Sessions are designed to sharpen skills, improve strategy, and enhance overall gameplay for players who are already comfortable with the basics.

Third Shot Drop & Drive Decision-Making: Know when and why to choose either shot.
Dink Control and Patience: Master dink rallies, angle shots, and offensive resets.
Block Volleys and Punch Volleys: Neutralise fast play at the net.
Transition Zone Movement: Improve footwork and timing through the mid-court.
Lob and Overhead Tactics: Use lobs effectively and defend against them.
Serve Variations and Depth: Add spin, placement, and deception to serves.
Partner Communication: Refine signals, coverage zones, and teamwork strategies.
Mental Toughness: Stay composed, positive, and focused under match pressure.

Individual Sessions:
We also undertake Individual and Small Group (Max 4 players) sessions. These are for newcomers to the sport who prefer one-to-one coaching or a small group who wish to develop their skills, strategy and techniques further.

For more information please view the LOCO Pickleball Sessions on this site.

Question 3

What equipment do I need to attend a Training Session?

Accepted Answer

The only thing you will need is comfortable clothing and non-marking trainers as all our sessions are indoors. It is also advisable to bring some water to the event.

Pickleball Paddles and balls are available to use free-of-charge along with Sports Hall hire  costs which are included in the prices of the session.

Question 4

What is so great about Pickleball?

Accepted Answer

Pickleball is a fun, low-impact sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. It is easy to learn and has only a few rules, but also offers room for improvement and strategy. This enjoyable and very social sport is great for players of all abilities. It is also a fantastic way to exercise while truly having fun!

Question 5

What are the Health benefits of playing Pickleball?

Accepted Answer

Pickleball is a low-impact sport that provides an effective workout without putting excessive strain on joints, making it suitable for a wide range of ages and fitness levels, including older adults.

Key health benefits include:

Improved Cardiovascular Health The fast-paced movements and short bursts of activity in pickleball elevate heart rate, improving circulation and cardiovascular fitness. Regular play can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Enhanced Balance and Coordination The game requires quick changes in direction, lunging, reaching, and precise ball-hitting, which significantly improves balance, coordination, and reflexes.
Muscle Strength and Endurance Pickleball engages various muscle groups, particularly in the legs, core, and upper body, contributing to overall muscle strength and endurance.
Weight Management Playing pickleball is an effective way to burn calories, reduce body fat, and build lean muscle, aiding in weight management.
Flexibility and Agility The dynamic movements involved help enhance flexibility and agility, leading to better joint mobility.

Mental and Social Benefits:

Beyond the physical aspects, pickleball in Nottingham fosters mental well-being and strong social connections.

Stress Reduction and Mental Wellness Engaging in pickleball can boost self-esteem, improve mood, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. It provides a fun outlet to relieve stress and clear the mind.
Strong Community and Social Interaction Pickleball is inherently a social sport, often played in doubles, encouraging teamwork and communication. Nottingham's pickleball scene is described as welcoming, social, and inclusive, allowing players to meet new people and build friendships. Local clubs, like the Nottingham Pickleball Club, organize regular games and events, fostering a sense of belonging.
Accessibility and Inclusivity The simple rules and easy-to-learn nature of pickleball make it accessible to beginners and players of all ages and abilities. Nottingham offers various venues and coaching opportunities to help newcomers get started. Local GPs and wellness groups in Nottingham have even begun recommending pickleball for active aging and post-rehabilitation routines.

Question 6

What is the difference between Indoor and Outdoor Pickleball balls?

Accepted Answer

To the untrained eye, indoor and outdoor pickleballs might look similar. However, once you've held an indoor and outdoor pickleball or had them side by side, the differences become apparent.

The majority of indoor and outdoor balls are unique in the following ways:

Number of Holes: Indoor balls have 26 holes while outdoor balls have 40.
Hole Diameter: Indoor balls have holes with wider diameters than outdoor balls.
Weight: Outdoor balls tend to be heavier than indoor balls.
Hardness: Outdoor balls tend to be harder plastic than indoor balls, aiding with more bounce.
Durability: Because outdoor pickleballs are harder they tend to crack quicker than softer indoor pickleballs.

It's all about neutralizing as many external factors as possible, such as wind or the surface of the court. The numerous smaller holes on outdoor pickleballs offer more robustness for playing in windy conditions.

Question 7

Is there an opportunity to play pickleball regularly, so I can improve?

Accepted Answer

Yes,  we hold regularly weekly sessions at Southwell Leisure Centre,  South Notts Sports Hall, Radcliffe-on-Trent and Kirkby in Ashfield  Leisure Centre. During the summer months, April to September,we also hold  twice weekly out-door sessions  in Lowdham.

There are also ad-hoc group coaching sesssions at Lowdham Village Hall through the winter months, October to March.

The sessions will include coaching and drills to develop skills and strategies for all standards, Beiginners, Improvers and Intermediate players as well as free game play time.  We hope to develop a strong, welcoming, pickleball community with players of all ages and abilities. We would like to cater for different groups of players looking for different things, from skill clinics, practice sessions through to social pickleball gatherings.

As the group grows and progresses, for those who are interested, we will organise friendly inter-club matches for players of all standards, with other venues, in Nottinghamshire and beyond ........

For those that are interested we encourage and support participation in Pickleball Tournaments throughout the UK.

Once established we will enter teams into the Nottinghamshire League.

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Question 8

Who can I speak to ask further questions not listed her?

Accepted Answer

Don't hesitate! Contact either of the England Pickleball-acceditated coaches who run LOCOPickleball:

Lorraine:  07910 173662 or Carol: 07901 808528

or email: locopickleball@yahoo.com

Question 9

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Accepted Answer

You can edit the title from the FAQ 'Settings' tab in the Editor.  
To remove the title from your mobile app go to the 'Site & App' tab in your Owner's app and customize.

LOCO Pickleball FAQ's