So, I’ve been getting into this thing called platform tennis lately. It’s pretty cool, kinda like regular tennis but with a twist. I heard it’s been blowing up around Western Pennsylvania, so I figured, why not give it a shot? Plus, I saw that the Sewickley Valley YMCA offers leagues and lessons, which seemed like a good place to start.
First off, I had to get the basic idea of what platform tennis actually is. Turns out, it’s got bits of tennis and racquetball mixed together. It’s played on this raised court with screens around it, and you can play the ball off the screens. That was a whole new ball game for me, no pun intended.
Next, I signed up for some lessons at the YMCA. Man, those instructors know their stuff! They really helped me get a handle on the basics, like how to hold the paddle, how to hit the ball, and all those weird rules about the screens. We started with some basic drills, just getting used to the feel of the paddle and hitting the ball back and forth.
After a few lessons, I felt brave enough to join one of the leagues. The Western Pennsylvania Platform Tennis Association – or WPPTA for short – runs these leagues, and there are ones for both men and women. I joined a beginner league, and let me tell you, it was a blast. Everyone was super friendly, and it was a great way to meet people and get some exercise in.
The matches were way more intense than I expected. We played doubles, and figuring out how to work with a partner and use the screens to our advantage was a real challenge. Sometimes it gets a bit frantic, with the ball bouncing every which way, but that’s part of the fun, right?
One time, it was freezing cold and even snowing a little. You would expect us to cancel the game, but we’re all die-hards! One of the guys, Martin, even shoveled the snow off the court so we could play. Gotta give him credit for dedication. Turns out there are like 1,500 of us playing platform tennis around here, so it’s a pretty big deal.
I’m still learning the ropes, but I’m definitely hooked. It’s a great workout, it’s social, and it’s just plain fun. If you’re in Western Pennsylvania and looking for a new sport to try, I’d totally recommend giving platform tennis a go. Just make sure you read the WPPTA rules beforehand, they’re pretty detailed, especially the stuff about match nights and starting times.
Here’s what I’ve picked up so far:
- Platform tennis is a mix of tennis and racquetball.
- The screens are a big part of the game.
- The Sewickley Valley YMCA is a great place to learn and play.
- The WPPTA leagues are well-organized and fun.
- It’s a great way to meet people and get some exercise.
- Don’t forget to read the rules!
What’s next?
I’m planning to keep playing in the league and maybe even take some more advanced lessons. I heard they have these drills where you practice hitting the ball off the screens, and I definitely need to work on that. Plus, I want to get better at serving. My serve is still pretty weak, to be honest. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll eventually be good enough to enter a tournament. A guy can dream, right?
