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Pickleball for All: Everything but the "Kitchen" Sink
An entertaining and comprehensive look at the America’s fastest growing sport, Pickleball for All is the ultimate primer for any level of player interested in the wacky history, unique rules, and exciting future of pickleball.
Bainbridge Island, Washington State. On a sleepy summer vacation, three dads with bored kids started a game with handmade equipment and rules that were even more hastily constructed. Pickleball—an accessible and engaging combination of sports like ping-pong and tennis—was born, and a rich history began to take shape. Fifty years later, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced the world to quarantine and hunt for new activities, Americans of all ages and athletic ability discovered pickleball, turning to the rapidly growing phenomenon as a way to stay active, safe, and entertained. With its unique rules, wacky terminology, and inclusive gameplay, pickleball caught the attention of the likes of the Kardashians, Bill and Melinda Gates, and Leonardo DiCaprio, and quickly became the world’s fastest growing sport with Olympic games potential. Few have followed pickleball’s ascent in American life as closely as New York Times writer and pickleball enthusiast Rachel Simon. Now Simon shares her fascination with the world in this lively, energetic primer for anyone wondering what in the world a dink is or why their neighbors have had a net up in their driveway since May 2020. From the history of the game to the basic rules (hint: you do not want to be caught in the “kitchen” during a volley), Simon offers a complete overview for casual and expert players alike. With easy-to-follow steps and expert advice, readers will learn everything they need to know, including information like:
Where and how to set up a court
Scoring, gameplay, and equipment
Strategies to win at any skill level
The difference between a dink, a drive, and a drop shot
In addition, Simon weaves in inspiring stories from the world’s top players during their most exciting pickleball moments. An immersive look at a global phenomenon that’s only gaining momentum, Pickleball for All paints a vivid portrait of a new American pastime.
Bainbridge Island, Washington State. On a sleepy summer vacation, three dads with bored kids started a game with handmade equipment and rules that were even more hastily constructed. Pickleball—an accessible and engaging combination of sports like ping-pong and tennis—was born, and a rich history began to take shape. Fifty years later, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced the world to quarantine and hunt for new activities, Americans of all ages and athletic ability discovered pickleball, turning to the rapidly growing phenomenon as a way to stay active, safe, and entertained. With its unique rules, wacky terminology, and inclusive gameplay, pickleball caught the attention of the likes of the Kardashians, Bill and Melinda Gates, and Leonardo DiCaprio, and quickly became the world’s fastest growing sport with Olympic games potential. Few have followed pickleball’s ascent in American life as closely as New York Times writer and pickleball enthusiast Rachel Simon. Now Simon shares her fascination with the world in this lively, energetic primer for anyone wondering what in the world a dink is or why their neighbors have had a net up in their driveway since May 2020. From the history of the game to the basic rules (hint: you do not want to be caught in the “kitchen” during a volley), Simon offers a complete overview for casual and expert players alike. With easy-to-follow steps and expert advice, readers will learn everything they need to know, including information like:
Where and how to set up a court
Scoring, gameplay, and equipment
Strategies to win at any skill level
The difference between a dink, a drive, and a drop shot
In addition, Simon weaves in inspiring stories from the world’s top players during their most exciting pickleball moments. An immersive look at a global phenomenon that’s only gaining momentum, Pickleball for All paints a vivid portrait of a new American pastime.
- GenresSportsNonfiction
208 pages, Hardcover
Published August 30, 2022
24 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 5, 2022
Rachel Simon’s debut was an informative but also a fun and clever read. I thought I knew what I needed to know about pickleball but boy was I wrong!! This book, which is perfect for any coffee table, is easy to read, eye-appealing (I couldn’t get over the blue font) and tactfully laid out. It shared everything about the sport from the the gameplay, rules, strategies to the history, inclusivity and popular players. For a nonfiction piece, I was surprised by how engaed I was !! Now I just have to order my paddles !!
Many thanks to the publisher for my gifted copy!!
Many thanks to the publisher for my gifted copy!!
November 13, 2023
A good basic overview.
March 14, 2023
This was a short book about some pickleball basics and tips and I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. I wasn't particularly engrossed in it, but it helped pass the time over two longer car trips. I also felt like the author seemed to have done a great amount of research into the history of the sport, all the rules, interviewed several important people, and explained just what people like her love about it. I just started playing pickleball occasionally last year and thought it was fun. I'm still trying to understand all the rules for the next time I play. I'm planning on reading some other pickleball books when I can.
July 7, 2024
I’m not sure who this book’s target audience is. It’s too much for someone who knows nothing about the game, but not nearly enough for anyone with any passing knowledge. It almost seems to be written for the spouse/partner/best friend of someone really into pickleball so they can learn more about something their significant other is passionate about. 🤷🏻♀️
Still, it was engaging and not the worst way to spend an afternoon.
Still, it was engaging and not the worst way to spend an afternoon.
Read
January 4, 2023I took up pickleball in early October 0f 2022 and wanted a book on it. This book was on sale at bookoutlet.ca so I bought it. It's an easy read and I got some good ideas from it including the URLs of some useful web sites. It also has a history of pickleball and explains the rules of the sport.
November 1, 2024
I had other things to do so I will re-borrow. This book did have things a person needs to know. In PB etiquette, a person doesn't just have to be polite, there is a way you are expected to be polite. I have to rate later.
October 9, 2022
A useful read for those like me who are new to pickleball and curious to know its origins and potential. The fundamentals and tips were less explicit than I could have used though.
February 4, 2023
Covers all the bases
February 20, 2023
A decent book about Pickleball and information about learning to play pickleball.
March 7, 2023
Very nice ce short book for the beginner Pickleball player.
April 2, 2023
Good reference book for Pickleball enthusiasts...or those just starting to get on the court.
July 30, 2023
The book you read when:
A. You’re 2 books behind in your yearly reading challenge; and
B. You’re waiting for your next book from Libby.
Parts were interesting and yes it a great fun game.
A. You’re 2 books behind in your yearly reading challenge; and
B. You’re waiting for your next book from Libby.
Parts were interesting and yes it a great fun game.
July 31, 2023
The anthem of an older slower generation?
December 21, 2023
A good, basic primer for the crazy good sport Pickleball. Covers topics like courts and equipment, strategy, competitions, and the future of Pickleball.
November 7, 2024
Good introduction
December 30, 2022
some good interview data and anecdotes in this book, but overall this info is probably better suited for a different medium. there are some outdated pickleball rules and data on pro players in here, and as a seasoned player I’m not really clear on who the target audience is
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews