
Why is it called Pickleball?
Okay, now you know how it all started but the question we’re all thinking still remains: why do they call pickleball, well, pickleball? According to the to the U.S.A. Pickleball Association, the origins of the name differ between different accounts.
Joel Pritchard’s wife, Joan, started to call their game pickleball because “the combination of different sports reminded me of the pickle boat in crew where oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers of other boats.” But according to Barney McCallum, they named the game after Pritchard’s dog, who was (as you might’ve guessed) named Pickles! Despite the sour taste of actual pickles, their dog was sweet and known to run off with the ball while it was still being played!
Depending on who you ask, both accounts of the game’s name may actually be true. At the start, there wasn’t any name for pickleball until an official one was needed when the game started to gain traction. With the laid-back nature of pickleball, it’s only appropriate that it was named in a similar fashion.
Although Pickleball is a fairly gentle sport on your body, injuries can still happen. Knowing how to maintain your body and find relief after Pickleball helps to keep you on your game and prevent accidents and sore muscles. Here are seven ways you can help your body heal post-match and get primed for next time.

List of good health suggestions for pickleball players
1. Get Massage Regularly
PRO massage specializes in tennis & pickleball therapeutic sports massages to provide relief, relax muscles and improve your game.
- Increased joint range of motion (ROM)
- Increased flexibility.
- Increased sense of well-being.
- Decreased muscle tension.
- Decreased neurological excitability (nerves more relaxed)
- Decreased muscle spasms.
- Better sleep.
2. Invest in massage equipment and foram rollers
Massage equipment help to release adhesions in your body by rapidly pulsing against them.
Foam rolling is a common recovery method for athletes in a variety of sports. They are used for self-myofascial release (SMR). This means that they help eliminate trigger points or “knots” in the fascia (connective tissue) and allow for effective self-massage that relieves tension in minutes.
Even if you don’t have chronic pain, using a foam roller can allow you to recover faster and keep your muscles relaxed. Rolling often feels intense, but the temporary discomfort is worth the ultimate relief. Once you feel comfortable with this practice, try out a harder roller with nubs (if tolerable), as this will allow you to work your tissue on a deeper level. Just make sure you practice controlling the level of pressure as it will be tender.
Locate the tight areas on your body and move the massage gun to these areas to release tension. If you are feeling soreness and tension all over, hop into your massage chair! Massage equipment can help to ease your body’s soreness and reduce the risk of injury during play because you will be more relaxed and flexible.
3. Take supplements
If you find that you are fatigued, cramping, sore, or having other problems after a pickleball match, your body may just need some support. A supplement can help you alleviate these issues and continue to play without negative side effects. For example, if you have trouble with cramping muscles, look into a supplement with magnesium that can help resolve this issue. Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking any supplement.
4. Try resistance bands
You have likely seen resistance bands used as a workout tool. However, they can also be used as a tool for recovery because they do not put pressure on your joints, improve stability and strength, and reach deeper stretches than you could reach alone. YouTube has some great videos instructing you how to use these bands to engage your muscles right at home.
5. Implement rebounding in your recovery
In the 1980s, NASA studied rebounding as a way for astronauts to recover bone and muscle mass after being in space. Today, it is thought of as a vetted way to effectively stay in top condition. What exactly is rebounding, though? Rebounding is similar to jumping on a small trampoline with low bounces where your feet do not leave the ground or have full jumps. The benefits of this recovery method include lymphatic drainage, improved bone mass, and better endurance and balance.
6. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Pickleball is an outdoor sport that is played when the sun is shining, and the temperature is high. As a result, you’ll need to keep your fluid intake up to ensure you avoid dehydration. Furthermore, water helps to flush toxins out of your body, transport nutrients into the cells, and regulate your body temperature and pH balance. It can also help with muscle soreness and tension.
Strive to drink half your weight in ounces every single day. You can also drink something with electrolytes to replenish some of the salts you will lose on the court. You’ve got this!
7. Exercise in a variety of ways
One of the best ways that you can protect vulnerable areas of your body (back, knees, shoulders, etc.) during pickleball matches is by performing regular exercises off the court. You will want to focus on a few areas of your body for the best results:
- Strengthen your legs – quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles
- Keep your upper body strength to reduce shoulder injury
- Exercise your core muscles to reduce strain on your lower back while you are playing
https://youtu.be/4vHhZ03O0PI
Can you ever step into the kitchen in pickleball?
more info at:
https://www.rookieroad.com/pickleball/the-top-10-rules-of-pickleball/
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