Pickleball Craze Picks Up In Long Valley

LONG VALLEY, NJ — The game that has slowly taken over New Jersey has made its way to Long Valley.

Pickleball, a hybrid of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, is considered America's fastest-growing sport. According to the Washington Township Recreation Department, the game is fast and thrilling, and it is quite popular in the township's adult community.

To support the growing popularity, Washington Township Recreation is holding adult pickleball lessons, which are perfect for beginners and advanced beginners wanting to improve their game.

This program will be instructed by TJD Sports Academy and will begin on Saturday mornings starting Sept. 23 through Oct. 28, with a rain date of Nov. 4.

Participants will learn how to enhance their forehand, backhand, net play, serving skills, lobs and drop shots, position the court more effectively, improve their game with a different approach, and understand the fundamentals of pickleball for beginners.

The six-week sessions will be held from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. or 11 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. at Rock Spring Park Tennis Courts, Long Valley. A nonrefundable fee for this program is due before Sept. 18, 2023.

"Space is very limited, so register early," the recreation department said.

If you've never played pickleball, here's a quick primer for those who are curious.

5 Things You Should Know About Pickleball:

1. It was created in 1965 by three fathers. They were on an island near Seattle and wanted to keep their kids entertained. They discovered an old badminton court and improvised with ping pong paddles, creating simple rules.
2. The game combines tennis, badminton, and ping-pong by requiring players to hit a Wiffle-type ball back and forth over a net. The game begins with an underhand serve.
3. Because the court is smaller than tennis, it's easy for all ages to play, either as doubles or singles. "Because the playing surface is about one-fourth the size of a tennis court," says the L.A. Times," there’s little ground to cover, especially in doubles. The sport is so physically forgiving that it’s unremarkable to see a gray-haired pair put a beating on their teenage grandkids."
4. After a serve, the ball must bounce once on each side of the net. There is a "no man's land" 7 feet from either side of the net, from which you aren't allowed to volley. And a pickleball is lighter than a tennis ball, so it doesn't bounce as high.
5. The rules are uncomplicated. Here's a video for beginners on how to play.

For more information on how to register, contact the recreation office at (908) 876-5941, or email them at recreation@wtmorris.net.