What to wear, and you must get, to play Pickleball

They say to write about what you know, and lately what I know about is shopping on Amazon and playing the fun, fast-growing game of Pickleball!

I am so lucky to be retired and live in a neighborhood with Pickleball courts. I started playing about two years ago and have since met the nicest people, made good friends, and improved my hand-eye coordination.

That last part wasn’t easy.

I took some lessons and found a beginner group to join called “Pickleholics” where our compassionate leader mixed up the players so that those of us just starting out gained some confidence.

Once I became familiar with a few faces, we made plans to play outside the beginner group and took more lessons. We loved the game so much that we looked forward to waking up in the dark at 6 am to reserve courts in advance and then play at 7 o’clock in the morning.

In fact, I’m still doing it now as doing anything in Florida after 9 am is just too hot!

Thus, this helpful blogger would love to give you readers a list of some items I’ve loved and used for playing Pickleball this past year. Please tell me about about your experiences with the game and if you have any helpful hints for me too!

How to Play

Find a pickleball court and you need 2-4 players.

The server and her partner stand behind the line and she serves to the diagonal box on other side of net. If the ball lands in the kitchen or outside the court, turn is over. If serve lands on the white lines (except the kitchen line), ball is in play.

The receiver must let the ball bounce and return serve anywhere on the court. The receiver’s partner stands at the kitchen line.

Now, the serving team MUST let the ball bounce before hitting. After that, you can hit the ball out of the air so no bouncing is needed.

Play until 11 points and you must win by 2 points.

Scoring is tricky. Playing partners you have 2 servers before the ball goes to the other team. So if the score is 4-6 you announce 4-6-1 if you are the first server. If you don’t score on that serve, the second server serves and says 4-6-2, the other team does not win the point until it is their serve.

The game gets really fun when you start to hit the ball back and forth a lot. Then you can say “Good Volley” and feel happy for everyone playing.

What to Wear

It is super hot in Florida (and a lot of other places) this summer, but if you get out early enough, like 7 am, it is bearable. Staying hydrated and wearing breathable fabrics on the court will help you stay outside and play for an hour or so.

Lucky you if you can play indoors – but you may want to keep reading for some sound fashion and accessory sense you can use now!

Pickleball shoes:

You will want a shoe with good traction and stability. Your shoe must support your ankle as you move back and forth and from side to side

If you play indoors, non-marking shoes are important to not mark up the court. I’ve only played outside in Florida so far.

I love my Asics pickleball shoe but some people need more arch support and prefer the Skechers Viper shoes. Also, in this crazy warm weather, your feet get sweaty so sneakers with a mesh top are great too.

Socks:

No-show socks with a little something to help them from slipping are great.

Saucony Women’s 8 Pairs No Show Cushioned Invisible Liner Socks

Tops:

Start with a good sports bra. I have used the over-the-head type and they work fine but was recently introduced to the zipper in front sports bra. The zipper felt a little weird at first but much easier to remove after a sweaty session on the courts.

ohlyah Women’s Zipper Front Closure Sports Bra Racerback Yoga Bras

I prefer a tank top with moisture-wicking fabrics, especially during these warm Florida months. Nothing that sticks to the body either!

ICTIVE Workout Tops for Women Loose fit Racerback Tank Tops for Women Mesh Backless Muscle Tank Running Tank Tops

In the winter months, I will add a lightweight sweatshirt if needed.

Lightweight, breathable fabric like a nylon or polyester blend is better than cotton which traps sweat and gets heavy.

Bottoms:

Skorts are popular to wear on the pickleball court, however, athletic shorts are fine in the summer too.

In winter, we wear leggings but nothing too baggy that could get stuck in the paddle. You’d be surprised how often you hit your own body!

WOWENY Women’s Athletic Tennis Skorts Skirts for Women Running Golf Skort with Pockets

I have tried quite a few styles of skorts (skirts with shorts attached) this past year and I know I like them to be a lightweight fabric that dries quickly and nothing too confining. I like when they are flowy and give your legs a full range of motion and not tight like golf skorts.

Hats:

I prefer a hat that covers my head providing sun-protection and one that I can pull a ponytail through.

Many of my friends prefer wearing a visor which may keep the head cooler, but then you have a chance of sunburn on your scalp.

Pickleball Pro Gear Up, Win Big. Hi-Performance Lightweight Design, Anti-Glare, Dry/Cool/Comfortable, Legit Price Mens Hat

Glasses:

I have tried all types of sunglasses and have yet to find one that works well for me. The best I found was a pair with light-colored lenses that helped me see better on the court when the sun is low and blinding.

Some people wear glasses with only the frame, no glass, to protect their eyes from stray balls. When the ball is moving fast and hits your face, it can really hurt and leave a mark, so wearing glasses is a good idea.

Intense Sport Sunglasses Men & Women – Ideal For Golf, Pickleball, Running & Tennis. Vented Lenses Prevent Fogging

My favorite Pickleball stuff:

Beginner set:

If you are just starting out, get a nice bag to hold two paddles and some balls. This is great for trying out the sport before you actually play with people you don’t know and can be used for guests when they visit and you convince them to play with you!

Pickleball Paddles Set of 2, USAPA Approved 99.99% Carbon Fiber Surface Pickleball Sets PP Honeycomb Core Pickleball Rackets, Lightweight Paddles with 4 Balls 1 Bag for Beginners Medium (Blue Waves)

Balls:

These balls are similar to Wiffle balls and do not last forever. Keep a spare ball or two in your bag so that you can use it when you play with a friend and use a sharpie marker to write your initials on the ball.

Franklin Sports Outdoor- X-40 Pickleball Balls – USA Pickleball (USAPA) Approved – 3 Pack Outside Pickleballs – Optic Yellow – US Open Ball

Pickleball Retriever:

Sometimes your back may not feel like bending over to pick up those wiffle balls, but you still want to play. This awesome little invention will help you not hurt your back as it suctions up the ball thus easing the strain. I don’t use it all the time, but I have used it when my back gets achy and it’s a lifesaver!

TOBWOLF 2PCS Pickleball Ball Retriever, Silicone Pickleball Picker Upper Pickball Grabber, Universal Pickleball Upper Suction Cup, Pickleball Accessory to Pick Up Balls, Fits All Standard Paddles

Pickleball Bag:

Having a bag to keep your paddle, balls, and some personal belongings in is essential. A good bag has several zipper compartments, a waterproof area for a wet rag, and a section to keep a water bottle.

LLYWCM Pickleball Bag – Pickleball Bags for Women Men – Pickleball Backpack – Travel Pickleball Paddle Case, Pickle Ball Bag for Pickleball Paddle Tennis Racket, Protable Pickleball Sling Bag

Pack-It thermal case:

These are popular on the court this summer and the reason I started writing this post! Everyone is using this bag that you stick in the freezer and it keeps your cooling rag wet and cool to use during a game.

Or are they really keeping something else in those bags???

PackIt Freezable Snack Box, Triangle Stripes, Built with EcoFreeze Technology, Collapsible, Reusable, Zip Closure with Buckle Handle, Great for All Ages and Fresh Snacks on the go

Sweat rags:

Playing Pickleball in the summer in Florida is not for people who don’t like sweating. I am literally drenched after a ninety-minute session but it feels great to get the exercise. Between games, we usually fit in 5-6 games, wiping down with a cool towel is lovely and I use these both in Pickleball and while playing golf.

Sukeen Cooling Towels 6 Pack (40″x 12″), Cooling Towels for Neck and Face, Cooling Rags, Lightweight Soft Breathable Towels for Yoga, Sport, Workout, Running, Gym, Camping, Fitness

Wrist bands and braces:

Many beginners will strain their wrist so I wear a wrist brace for a few months. This helped alleviate the pain and teach my arm how to hit without swinging my wrist back and forth.

I used the wrist bands in the summer when my arms got sweaty to keep from making my hands too slippery. Yes, that happens.

Copper Compression Wrist Brace – Copper Infused Adjustable Orthopedic Support Splint for Pain, Carpal Tunnel, Arthritis, Tennis Elbow, Tendinitis, RSI, Ganglion Cyst for Men Women – Left Hand – L/XL

Water bottle:

I drink faster from a straw so these thermal water bottles work great to keep water cold on the courts.

BUZIO 40oz Water Bottle, Stainless Steel Insulated Water Flask with Straw Lids, Canteen Metal Thermo Mug Hydro Cup Jug, Double Vacuum Hot Cold Water Bottles with Carrying Pouch, Indigo Black Gradient

HYDRATE!!

Water is great but sometimes you need to replenish more when you sweat a lot. Gatorades have electrolytes but I started to use Liquid IV and that really helps.

I also take a shot of pickle juice after I play to avoid leg cramps. It seems to be working.

Liquid I.V.® Hydration Multiplier® – Lemon Lime – Hydration Powder Packets | Electrolyte Drink Mix | Easy Open Single-Serving Stick | Non-GMO | 16 Servings (Pack of 1)

Off the court

It’s a great idea to watch Pickleball videos which are all over YouTube. Most are short and sweet with maybe a good pointer you can try next time you play.

I bought one of those match buddy trainers from Amazon to practice at home but it didn’t work very well for me so no picture of that.

The Dink Master Pickleball Board looks great but costs about $300. You can try to practice hitting the ball on a cement wall but if your ground isn’t flat, that can be challenging. Or call a friend, ask your kids, and just get out there to practice “getting your paddle on the ball”.

The Most Important Thing:

For people my age we just want to have fun! It’s great to win and I do hope I will get better, but I really just like the comradery of the people I’ve met and we always welcome new players to join in the fun!