Why did the Pickleball player not want to leave the court after his first win? He just wanted to relish the moment.

Because we are you!

Our own Pickleball story began in Florida

Did yours?
You may have picked up the game while you were on vacation or from an obnoxious non-athletic friend that badgered you into “giving it a shot”. Maybe you thought it was a game for old rich people that got tired of the same 18 holes, Euchre Night and Shuffleboard.

My guess is that you had no desire to get sucked into any sport with a name like "Pickleball" anymore than you wanted to play a backyard game of "Badminton" (对不起我的中国朋友们). How is it that 2.5 billion people around the globe are passionate about a game called “Cricket”. Who comes up with these names?

In fact one of the reasons my wife and I took lessons was because nobody wanted to play with us besides my gracious sister and brother-in-law. I guess we hadn’t “earned the right” to be on the court. Of course we were obviously awful (and with all of our insecurities) spewed out apologies for our skill levels that were clearly at Zero-Zero-Start.

We never heard the words, “There is no sorry in Pickleball!” until we got to our much kinder home turf, Ohio, which is the self-proclaimed Home of the nation’s first Sidewalk Chalk Pickleball. (Tennis clubs were not giving an inch of high ground to a trending ‘California sport’ that would likely fade away like our crooked sidewalk chalk lines on a rainy day.)

Florida players can be brutal. In my first open-play game there, I was rifled in the chest by a good player that was not happy about me wasting his precious court time with a noob. What was with this game and why was everyone so obsessed about it? But after my third lesson I felt as though I was Pro material. . . and that was my self-deceptive, smug Pickleball beginning. The tentacles pulled me in and I was in full-blown addiction.

Enough about me, let’s get back to you. Remember, we know you. Let me assume that you also are now hooked. You know enough about score keeping to dish out condescending remarks to your teammates. You play mostly at the kitchen, even though your double’s partner has decided it’s his job to protect the baseline and “return” the balls that you obviously missed, and why, because you’re too busy covering the 20 feet of kitchen he vacated because he is a former tennis player thinks the slow game is not the way to play the game.

But you have plateaued. You want to be more competitive, but won’t get there playing just 3 hours a week because you still work for a livin’ while everyone at the court, during daylight hours, is retired. And you will never get to a 4.0 because no one, any good, wants to be the one who invites the “intermediate player” into their exclusive group. Reaching 5.0 is unbearable to even consider because you have a life and you try to convince yourself that they don’t.

You thought the beginner days were behind you, only to find out the intermediate level phase is even more isolating. You will forever remain a 3.25 player even though you try to convince everyone, including yourself that you are a confident 3.5. Bottom line, you basically need to lower your expectations. Or. . . maybe not.

This is where NuckleNuck comes in. 
We are building a mildly entertaining and informational newsletter for both on-the-court and off. We are so glad you are here. This newsletter is born out of love for the people that play the game.

So, was I right, do we know you?

In my effort to be transparent about my own struggles, I have explained the foundation of why we created this newsletter—it’s about the people who play Pickleball.

As I write this post, it’s February 2nd, 2025 and Pickleball is literally everywhere. I even have Amish friends that play this game (Shout out to the Schlabach’s). I am rounding up SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) wherever I can find them and I am bringing them onboard to serve you up with the best content we can produce. Content that you won’t find anywhere else.

We only ask for one small favor: Tell someone about us. That’s it, just spread the word. Our ambitions are small and measured. We hope to grow our subscriber base and reach a threshold of 200 subscribers before March 2nd, our next publishing date. I will update you on March 2nd if we met that goal.

Dan King, Designer & Pickleball Enthusiast, Author
Citywear Pickleball, Owner, Designer

NuckleNuck is your Pickleball place and you are our people. 

Baby Boomer Fun Fact: Pickleball was started in 1965. The same year that Medicare started. What are the odds? Anyone born after 1964 will not appreciate the irony.

Tony Agnesi, Inspirational Speaker
Best Selling Author | Hall of Fame Broadcaster | Award Winning Blogger
Tony’s Facebook

There are many reasons why people are attracted to pickleball and as many reasons why they enjoy playing it.

First, contrary to popular belief, Pickleball is easy to learn. If you have played Tennis, Ping Pong, Racket ball, or Badminton you know what the game entails. It's easy to learn, but pickleball is very difficult to master.

Secondly, the cost of entry is inexpensive when compared to other sports. With a paddle (as little as ten dollars and up), some balls, and a decent pair of court shoes (not running shoes), you are ready to play.

And, third, it’s social. Unlike any other sport, the open-play format is unique to pickleball. You show up, put your paddle in the rack or your name on the board. And, in no time you will be playing, making new friends, and dispelling loneliness.

I often ask players, “Why do you play?”  

Some play for exercise. When I started, I lost 32 pounds the first year. Believe me, no treadmills and exercise machine could yield those results. I was having fun!

Some play for socialization. Many people have (myself included) made more friends playing pickleball in one season than they have made in decades. It explains why pickleball is the number one sport among older adults. 

Some play to overcome loneliness. Many older adults who have lost a spouse find pickleball has put them back in the mainstream of life.  It sure beats sitting in a Barco lounger and watching reruns.

Some play to be competitive in a sport. They dream of their glory days when they were competitive in sports and want to relive that. And, there is nothing wrong with that.

So, why aren’t you playing? 
I’ve heard three main reasons when I’ve asked. I call them the “barriers of entry.”

First, “I’m not good enough.” “Believe me, I explain, you will be better than some, even with many, not as good as others.”

Second, “I’ve never played a sport before.” Before Title IX, women’s sports opportunities were largely limited to “recreational activities”, while men faced challenges in accessing sports deemed suitable only for highly competitive athletes.

And thirdly, “I lack mobility.” They explain that they have bum knees and bad ankles, and move slowly. So do I! However, many levels will accept you and play a slower, more deliberate game.

“For the rest of us, have fun! Let's invite new people to give it a try, and be mindful that not everyone is playing for the same reasons you are!” —Tony

Jerry Shinn, Author 
Pickleball Enthusiast, Croupier & Author
Member of 330togo: Facebook | Website
Member of NE Ohio Podcast Association

Remember back just a few years ago. Back before everyone knew about our game. Maybe you were at work, the grocery store, or just walking down the street. Then you heard it. You didn't mean to hear it, you weren't trying to hear it. The words seemed to  find you. The voice of a stranger saying “Pickleball, what the heck is Pickleball”. Said with such distain, as if pickleball, by its mere existence, had insulted the speaker.

Inevitably , someone else with just slightly more knowledge of the game gives a trivial explanation of our sport. “It's half-court tennis played with a Wiffle ball” or “it's a combination of tennis and Ping Pong”. 

• This is the point where uncle “Jerry” would invite himself into the conversation. I would philosophically explain that pickleball is—well it's whatever you need or want it to be.

• I can teach you the rules of the game.

• The proper place to be when the point starts.

• The double-double bounce rule.

• I can teach you the quirky scoring system.

• I can even get past the rules regarding the NVZ(with minimal eye rolling).

However, all I've done is teach you how to play. 

• I can't teach you how pickleball can be a social gathering.

• Pickleball can be an outlet for that competitive side you thought was retired.

• Pickleball can be that way that you finally get some exercise that your doctor has been bugging you about.

• Pickleball can be an excuse to meet new people, or maybe, an excuse to get away from people you already know.

• For some, pickleball can simply be an excuse to hit something really hard.

The most beautiful part of this sport is that pickleball can be all of these things in the same game. So what is pickleball—it’s whatever you need it to be.

Seth King, PT/DPT, Author
Founder/Owner – Limitless Physical Therapy & Performance
Rochester Hills, Michigan
LIMITLESS WEBSITE

Have Pickleball Elbow?
A PT/DPT talks about common Pickleball Injuries.

While pickleball is accessible to players of all levels and any age group, its fast-paced play and frequent directional changes (with lots of stopping and starting on a small court) can still lead to injuries. Many of these stem from a lack of strength, not taking mobility & flexibility seriously enough, repetitive stress, or improper technique.

The most common injuries we see in pickleball players include ankle sprains, shoulder injuries, and a condition known as ‘pickleball elbow,’ similar to the well-known ‘tennis elbow.’ Let’s take a closer look at each of these injuries, their causes, symptoms, and prevention strategies.

Read entire article at Limitless Physical Therapy & Performance
Article includes: Ankle Sprains | Shoulder Injuries | Pickleball Elbow

ANKLE SPRAINS

Ankle sprains are common in many sports, including pickleball. They occur when the ligaments that support the ankle stretch or tear, usually as a result of rolling, twisting, or turning the ankle in an awkward way.

Symptoms of an ankle sprain include pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking. Prevention strategies include wearing appropriate footwear with good ankle support, warming up before playing, and performing exercises to improve balance and ankle strength.

Being able to control your balance starts with good ankle strength, so it is critical (and often where we see the most problems with our patients) that you are working on balance and leg strength outside of pickleball play/practice if you want to optimize your pickleball performance and prevent ankle injuries in the future.

Perhaps most important for a game involving quick efforts of stopping/starting/direction change is choosing appropriate footwear. Speaking out of experience as someone who loves CrossFit & Running, CrossFit-style (low or no heel-to-toe drop and wide toebox) and Running shoes (typically more heel-to-toe drop angle and much more cushion) do NOT cut it for a season of pickleball. If you haven’t already considered getting real tennis or pickleball shoes, now is the time.

The shoes that we most-often recommend include Adidas, Wilson, and Asics as our favorite brands. Here are the exact shoes that we (Limitless PT) recommend. This will take you right to Amazon. A good pickleball shoe has a more sturdy composition of shoe material than a modern minimalist running or walking shoes, a well-made rubber sole, and a bit more cushion around the ankle for optimal support.

Our favorite is the ASICS Gel-Game 9 (linked above). We like the color options and we LOVE the gel cushion throughout the sole.

SHOULDER INJURIES

Shoulder injuries in pickleball often result from overuse, especially from repetitive higher-speed overhead and cross-body movements like serving and smashing. These injuries can range from rotator cuff strains to more serious conditions like shoulder impingement or a torn rotator cuff.

Symptoms can include shoulder pain, weakness, and reduced range of motion. To prevent shoulder injuries, players should ensure they are using proper technique, particularly for overhead shots. Probably most important is to make sure that your rotator cuff and surrounding shoulder muscles are strong & resilient. Again – this has to happen OFF of the court, so working with a Performance Physical Therapist or Fitness Professional near you is key to preventing that gnarly shoulder tendon pain when you’re trying to smash the ball at your opponent.

PICKLEBALL ELBOW

Pickleball elbow, a lot like tennis elbow, is a form of tendinopathy (a condition involving injury to a tendon). It’s caused by repetitive stress on the wrist extensor tendons that attach to the outside portion of the elbow, leading to inflammation, pain, grip strength loss, and more. This condition is particularly common in pickleball due to the frequent forearm movements required in the sport.

Club Name

Magic City Pickleball Club (since the courts are in Barberton Ohio, known as the “Magic City.”)

Our "home courts" include two public outdoor locations each with six lighted pickleball courts (Tuscora Park at 501 E. Tuscarawas Avenue; Edgewood Park at 1170 Liberty Avenue). During the cold months, we play at the Lake Anna YMCA during their open pickleball hours.

Club Location

Mission Statement

Magic City Pickleball Club is a community group that supports and promotes pickleball for active adults in Barberton, OH and nearby communities. Our goal is to introduce active adults to this wonderful sport and to create a court culture that is welcoming and friendly for all active adults.

Club Goals

• Organizing play locations and times

• Working with the Barberton Parks and Recreation Department to improve pickleball courts and ancillary amenities (parking, restrooms, etc.)

• Arranging events for members at both outdoor and indoor courts

Club Communication

We communicate via our Facebook group page where we announce the dates and times for upcoming pickleball events. We also have a GroupMe for the Tuscora Park location and the Edgewood Park location.

Members

Members must be 18 years or older. We primarily draw our membership from active, retired adults. To join our club, a person must have a DUPR account. Once a person has been accepted into the club, the individual will be given a membership number. This is the number to print on DUPR scoring sheets (instead of your name).

Leadership

Club leadership is made up of an Operations Committee composed of club member volunteers. The Operations Committee will meet as needed. 

Dues

No dues are collected. As club needs arise, a call is made for donations. All donations are recorded with a receipt. All expenditures are recorded in a ledger. When there is financial activity, club members are notified of that activity through the club’s Facebook group page.

Club Meetings

Informal meetings may be held quarterly or more frequently as needed.

We have found that this charter helps guide us as we desire to create a welcoming culture for new pickleball players. Every pickleball club will develop a culture over time. This will happen organically, or it can be “guided” by club leadership. As an example, a pickleball club may be organized for “social play” only or for “very competitive” play only. Club founders and leaders should think about the type of pickleball club culture they would like to develop and build that into their charter, their communications, the example they set on the court, etc.

Want to read the meaning of this Logo and find out how right-brained you are?
Click here to discover the hidden meaning of the logo at NuckleNuck website.

If you’re a right-brained creative type you probably already figured out where the name came from, but for you left-brainers, when you say the name, it is the sound a pickleball makes when served. Still confused? Say it out loud and you’ll “get it”.

Step 2

Post Results on DUPR 
Played a match? Add your results! Self-report easily in the app.

Or let your club handle it—thousands of clubs already send results straight to us.


Step 3

Register for Events or Open Play 
DUPR syncs with 70+ event and club platforms. Results are sent directly to DUPR to keep your rating accurate and up-to-date.

Register for events at your level.

Step 4

Connect with friends and share your Pickleball Journey 
Your DUPR feed is where the magic happens.

Show off your wins with match results, photos, and updates. Connect with friends, get likes, and celebrate your pickleball moments.

Visit the DUPR website for the full animated video on how to use the APP