PICKLEBALL ON CLAY COURTS? WHAT'S NEXT "PICKLE-WATER-BALL?

SO YOU WANT TO PLAY PICKLEBALL ON CLAY COURTS....GOOD LUCK!

Playing pickleball on clay courts is a novel idea. In reality it could be a heck of a lot of fun and present players with a challenge to their abilities to adjust their game to the new surface. If I had the opportunity to play pickleball on a clay court, I would do it in a 'New York minute.' I would ellllxpect that there isn't a designate clay court strictly for pickleball. Clay courts are cooler, easier on the feet, and reward finesse and controlled shots versus power. The bounce is lower on the clay, so a hard-hit groundstroke is a lower percentage shot. These courts are considered the slowest surface in racquet sports including pickleball.
Here is what you need to know to play on clay.
1. slows down the speed of the ball;
2. reduces the skid of the ball on the surface of the court; and
3. causes a high bounce of the ball.
Due to the these characteristics, the Clay Courts reduces the speed of a ball which is hit by hard hitters as it slows down the speed of the ball, making it easier for an opponent to return the shot.
The ball selection mindset is if its outdoors use an outdoor ball. Indoor use an indoor ball. Outdoor court surface indoor use an outdoor ball,
USAPA RULES you can use any approved ball, indoor or outdoor to play indoors or outdoors.  The surface of the court does not have that much influence on making the right choice.  Its all about the WIND factor. 

The outdoor ball is designed and constructed specifically to resist being moving  off course, by the wind..  That is why the holes are smaller, the diameter is a fraction smaller and the weight is a fraction heavier.

The major consideration for using an outdoor ball outdoors is due to its "wind resistant" design and construction. An outdoor ball played on an indoor court provides hard hitting players an extra advantage of stored energy and speed.  When an hard hit outdoor ball hits a player's body it will cause more trauma than the softer indoor ball.

Tournament directors can choose which type of approved USAPA Ball to use in the tournament.  Some Tournaments directors are unschooled on ball design, construction and the intended purpose of an indoor ball and an outdoor ball.  Its not rocket science.  If its outdoors with any wind use the outdoor ball. If its outdoors with no wind and during cool weather use an indoor ball. The cooler the weather the stiffer the ball.  An outdoor ball will be less stiff in cool weather without any wind  .f its indoors,   regardless of court surface use an indoor ball,  unless you have a windy indoor court.

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