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If you have never heard of the sport of pickleball, let us fill you in on one of the fastest growing sports in the United States. Pickleball is a sport similar to tennis with smaller paddles, a harder ball, and less movement overall. The average age group of pickleball players is fifty five years and older. This is because many older citizens turn towards the sport for their daily exercise and a fun way to keep themselves moving. Whether you are male or female, a young or old player, it doesn't really matter which is what helps make pickleball a great sport. The History of Pickleball Pickleball was invented in 1965, so in the grand scheme of things it is a relatively new sport. It was actually invented by three fathers in Washington state who were looking to give their children something to do. With a badminton net in hand, a few wooden paddles and a plastic ball the sport was made and grew from there. Although it is difficult to determine exactly how fast the sport grew from there or the story of how it became famous nationally and internationally, the sport has certainly sparked interest amongst the public in recent years. Pickleball by the Numbers According to the United States of America Pickleball Association (USAPA), the sport has had a 650% increase in numbers in the past six years. Could you think of any other sport that has grown that popular in such a short amount of time? The USAPA gives some credit for the popularity growth to senior citizens from the southern states of America for playing the game avidly at RV communities and retirement homes. The Ever Growing Popularity of Pickleball Since 2009 when the Pickleball boom first began, many different parks and recreation centers have introduced Pickleball into their communities. Since tennis courts can be used for Pickleball quite easily it makes for a seamless transition and allows for both sports to be played on the same court without any additional construction. It has become so popular in some towns that leagues have been formed that play multiple different times a week. Pickleball on an International Scale Not only has Pickleball become a sport popular amongst people here in the United States, but it has also become an international phenomena. This is mostly due to the fact that Pickleball has a low cost to enter the sport. Just as soccer, basketball, or football only requires a ball or possibly a net, Pickleball only requires a ball net and paddles. Pickleball has grown immensely (650% to be exact) within the past few years on both a national and international scale. In fact there have become Pickleball restaurants that feature indoor and outdoor courts for your pleasure prior to eating dinner. The worldwide pandemic has also contributed to the growth of the sport. Additionally Pickleball is also healthy for your body and your mind meeting new people while getting a workout in the process. Look for Pickleball to continue growing in the years to come as this is still a new sport and it is a whole lot of fun. ------ This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Pickleball is one of the newest and most fun sports to play. It may seem confusing to begin with, but it is quite easy to learn. What makes this sport fun is that you can play it on any surface as long as you have the right equipment. With its growing popularity, now is a great time for you and your child to learn how to play. Let’s take a look at the different ways to learn how to play Pickleball. No matter how you learn best, there are many options: trial-and-error, learning as you go, watching YouTube videos and more. Pick what works for you and get started. YouTube is one of the greatest resources around as it allows people across the world to learn anything simply by watching videos. So it is no surprise there are Pickleball videos out there. We suggest this method for the basics of any sport; however, it is especially helpful when learning the game of Pickleball, including the rules and etiquette of the game. When it comes to Pickleball, it involves physical repetitions which working with your child is a great option. Pickleball is not a sport that you can play alone, you need a partner at your local club or community center. One can also learn by playing with friends and family who already know and love the game. It can be beneficial to sit back and watch or be your child’s partner while they learn the game. There is always the option to buy private lessons with a Pickleball professional who knows how to mentor and teach your child the sport. Although there is a financial commitment, it is a quick way to improve your child’s Pickleball skills. Your child will learn quickly because the lessons are specific to what your child needs. We suggest three options to help your child learn the new sport of Pickleball. YouTube videos, learning the game together, or working with a professional are all ways to enjoy the up and coming game of Pickleball. ------ This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

In today’s article I will be teaching you everything there is to know about smashing a badminton. No matter what, just follow our advice here and you will be well on your way to smashing a badminton! Within this article you will find a multistep process to smash a badminton. Keep reading to learn exactly what these steps are! Method 1: Forehand Smash Step 1: Approach the Shuttlecock with a Forehand Grip Step 2: Assume a Surefooted Stance Step 3: Raise Your Arms and Prepare to Strike Step 4: Strike the Shuttlecock Step 5: Follow Through With Your Swing and Recover for the Next Rally These may seem like simple steps at first, but there is a lot more information behind these steps than originally meets the eye. Starting with step 1, this is often called an “injection of pace” which really means that you add some speed to your strike. Moving onto step 3 of this method, think of the angle that the shuttle will follow. To have the best smash possible, you will need this angle to be as downward as possible. With step 4 power is a very important part of the process, but you must remember to hit the shuttle in the middle of the racket. Once you feel the shuttle you are going to need to snap your wrist downward. Method 2: Jumping Smash Step 1: Get Under and Behind the Shuttlecock Quickly Step 2: Prepare to Jump Step 3: Jump to Intercept the Shuttle at the Highest Point You Can Reach Step 4: Smash the Shuttle Over the Net Step 5: Follow Through and Stick the Landing A jumping smash has a very similar motion to the forehand smash, besides the jump of course. It is a risk reward move though, because it will allow you to hit the shuttle with greater force but there is also a greater room for error. Speaking of the jump, step 4, timing is the most important part here! You want to be at the highest point of your jump whenever you smash the shuttle. Again the angle is important here, but landing correctly is even more important. You want to make sure that you stick the landing so you don’t injure yourself with this move. Method 3: Backhand Smash Step 1: Choose Your Moment Carefully Step 2: Position Yourself to Backhand Smash Step 3: Crush the Shuttle and Get Ready for the Return Last but not least, the backhand smash, which is the hardest way to smash a badminton. For this smash you actually want your arm to be as close to your body as possible. With your non smashing arm, you want to maintain your balance in a solid position. We hope you have found this article helpful and go try to smash a badminton today! ------ This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

If you are looking to get your child started in golf, this article has some tips to help you. Golf is a lifelong sport and a great one for your children to learn at a young age. Golf promotes overall physical fitness, hand-eye coordination, discipline, a love of the outdoors and it encourages quiet time. The very nature of golf encourages friendships because the pace is easy and allows for conversation. One option is to speak with an employee of a sporting goods store. Many have separate departments dedicated to golf. Although they may not be tour pros themselves, they can point you in the right direction. They will have brochures that give you more specifics and have a variety of options. They may also suggest YouTube channels that focus on beginner golf. Another option is to find a golf store. The staff here will be more knowledgeable than a general sporting goods store. The staff here will fit your child for the best clubs and may offer one-on-one lessons. Many golf stores also have a simulator which can be helpful for young golfers. Staff here can also direct you to golf professionals who offer group and individual lessons. One other option is to speak with other golfers. Whether friends or golfers you regularly see on the course, it is a great place to start. They offer tips and guidance to your child. They may know someone who gives lessons. Golfers are a friendly group of people who have a passion for the game and want to see it grow. Finally, a simple internet search can help you find people who offer lessons. Be sure to read the reviews and be diligent when searching. No matter where you look for golf lessons for your child, it is important to ask questions. Think of the price you pay as an investment in a lifelong activity. ------ This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

A crucial trait for any aspiring athlete is to learn how to engage the right muscles. Strength training is essential because it helps them build a foundation and gain superior neuromuscular efficiency. Before ever thinking about specialized training, every young athlete needs to have a firm foundation they can build upon. Specifically, young athletes need to work on mastering four movement patterns that will get them stronger, more balanced, and less likely to get injured. But is Strength Training Even Safe For The Youth? As a coach or parent, you’ve probably heard that weight training stunts growth in children. This idea first came from Japan back in the 1960s. A team of researchers noted that children who performed manual labor tended to be shorter than their peers. Over the following decades, scientists proposed that excessive loading could damage growth plates and hinder development. But, that was also said to occur from fractures, which are more common in contact sports. A study from the National Library of Medicine, titled "How does exercise affect bone development during growth?" in 2006 refutes this and suggests the opposite: Not only is physical activity not a cause of stunted growth, but it can also allow children to achieve peak bone mineral density and volume as they grow up. Plus, we also need to consider that correlation does not imply causation. Besides doing hard physical labor, these children could have also been underfed, which is far more detrimental for growth. Four Strength Activities For Young Athletes 1. The Squat The squat is one of the most natural and important movement patterns every athlete needs to master. The movement helps strengthen the entire lower body and improve whole-body balance. It also teaches young athletes how to explode from the feet up. The best part is, you can pick from countless variations to keep the engagement high. For instance, jump squats are fun and help build tons of lower body power. 2. Push Pushing, such as the classic push-up, is extremely valuable for athletes, especially in sports where upper body strength plays a role. Examples include baseball, basketball, volleyball, and tennis. Pushing activities strengthen the chest, shoulders, and triceps while also improving core stability and making young athletes more balanced. 3. Pull Pulling, such as row exercises, is particularly engaging for young athletes, and most find it easy to learn. The best part is, rowing motions strengthen the entire back musculature and help further develop the core. For instance, resistance band rows are non-threatening and an excellent way for youth athletes to get started. 4. Hip Hinge The hip hinge is by far one of the most challenging movement patterns to teach, but one that plays a huge role in a young athlete’s development. This hip-dominant pattern requires good body awareness and an ability to maintain a proper spinal position while loading the posterior chain musculature. Once an athlete masters this movement, they can better emphasize their back, glutes, and hamstrings to produce power on the field. Specifically, the hip hinge translates to superior lateral movement, acceleration, and deceleration. The most notable movement emphasizing the hip hinge is the deadlift. But, many strength and conditioning coaches begin by teaching bodyweight hip hinge with a stick on the athlete’s back. ------ This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.