The Villages Daily Sun

THE VILLAGES — While it’s true that pickleball probably tops the list of many Villagers’ favorite activities, the game can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

That’s what seventh- and eighth-graders at The Villages Charter Middle School found out recently when their physical education class was transformed into an action-filled pickleball lesson.

Armed with paddles, students scurried onto the court Wednesday afternoon, ready to take their chances at the popular sport.

Eighth-grader David Heivly squeezed in a little practice time before his turn on the court. The natural athlete had high hopes of doing well. After all, how much different could pickleball be from all the other activities Heivly is involved in?

“I play pingpong and tennis quite a bit,” he said, adding that he enjoys playing baseball, as well.

Although many of the youths such as Heivly were quite new to the game, they didn’t have to worry too much about their lack of skill. Luckily for them, the students were under the close supervision of several Villages pickleball pros.

Dick “Greeny” Greenfield was happy to assist 38 middle-schoolers as they learned about one of his favorite pastimes.

“One of our charges is to grow the younger population in pickleball,” Greenfield, a member of the United States Pickleball Association, said.

The Village of Oak Meadows resident explained that almost any-age person can participate in the sport.

“You can start (playing) at 5 years old,” he said, adding that he competes with a 93-year-old.

Prior to playing the game, pupils were shown a video explaining the rules and regulations of pickleball so that they would know what to expect once the game began.

“Our main goal is to get them hitting on the court,” Greenfield said. “So we set up four courts, and we have 16 students hitting all at once under the supervision (of Greenfield, other pickleball players and the students’ P.E. teacher).”

As with most sports, however, players run the risk of injury. That’s something Greenfield hoped to keep to a minimum for the pickleball novices.

“The No. 1 thing is safety,” he said. “We specify you come in whole. You’re supposed to exercise and go away better than you came in — not hurt.”

As students leaped around the court, aiming their paddles and knocking balls high over the net, their newfound appreciation of the game was obvious.

“The kids love it,” Greenfield said of the focused players. “It’s a great release. They pick up the game fast, and their shots are fairly decent.”

Daisy Moon is a reporter with the Daily Sun. She can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9067, or daisy.moon@thevillagesmedia.com.