Yesterday, I ran into my pickleball friend Janet at the coffee shop. “Are you playing today?” I asked after the “hi, how you are” pleasantries.
“No, not today,” she replied. “I try to keep myself from playing three days in a row, I find after two, my body needs a rest.” And, depending on how physically conditioned she is and how hard she plays, she might be right – we do have to honor rest and recovery – but that’s a topic for another blog post.
But her comment really got me thinking: how many other forms of physical activity are so addictive that people need to force themselves to take a day off? Most people need to force themselves to exercise yet us pickleball players need to force ourselves to take a break. What gives? What is it that draws us all to the court day after day and keeps us there for “just one more game?” Why is pickleball so much more addictive than other sports?
Where the heck does the pickleball magic come from?
While we don’t know for sure, we believe pickleball’s addictive nature comes from its unique combination of the following five things.
- Easy to start, hard to master:
Unlike many other sports, it is pretty easy to get started playing pickleball. With a smaller court, lightweight paddle, and basic rules, most people can learn to serve and return quickly, often during their very first game. Not so with sports like tennis, golf, soccer, and so many others.
But don’t be fooled. Despite its simplicity, pickleball is surprisingly complex when it comes to strategy. Patience and placement are everything in this game, offering a mental challenge that complements pickleball’s physical challenge. This strategic element adds an addictive quality as we find ourselves continually striving to improve our skills and outsmart our opponents.
- Fast-Paced Action:
Pickleball is a fast-paced sport that keeps us on our toes. The compact court size and the quick back-and-forth exchanges make almost every point intense and exciting. The constant movement and rapid decision-making required during a game create a thrilling experience that keeps players engaged and addicted.
- The Unique Social Culture:
Maybe it’s the smaller court that enables us to chat, rib and compliment our opponents throughout a game. Maybe it is the sport's popularity that has led to a booming community of players who share our passion for the game. Maybe it’s the fact that pickleball finds its roots in a backyard game developed for fun.
Whatever the cause, pickleball has developed a unique social component that draws us back day after day. The blend of competition and camaraderie adds a unique dimension to the addictive nature of the sport.
- All that Dopamine
While we haven’t seen research on it – yet – we have no doubt that there is something about the nature of pickleball that delivers a steady stream of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that has been dubbed the “motivation hormone.”
Dopamine is released when we do things that satisfy us, from checking things off our to-do list, completing a project, getting a raise or a gold star, leveling up in a video game, or landing that perfect dink, drive or overhead. And, more importantly, it motivates us to crave more of that feeling. It might just be the primary driver of the familiar phrase … just one more game.
- And It’s Good for You:
Beyond the fun and social aspects, pickleball delivers terrific health and fitness benefits. The constant movement, agility, and reflexes contribute to improved cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and overall fitness. The positive impact on physical well-being adds another layer of addiction, as we experience the joy of a healthy lifestyle through the game.
Conclusion
So here’s where we come out. We believe that the addictive nature of pickleball stems from its perfect blend of accessibility, fast-paced action, social fun, strategic depth, dopamine drip, and health benefits. And, pickleball is just plan fun. And kind of addictive … in a good way.