Pickleball training paddle, training ball and method of use

Abstract

A pickleball training paddle and method may include a paddle having a playing surface with a reduced area and a training ball made from a rubber-like material.

1 .- 27  (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A pickleball practice set comprising a pickleball paddle having a handle and a playing surface attached to the handle, the playing surface having an area on one side thereof which is less than 50 square inches, and a ball, the ball having a diameter between 1.75 and 2.25 inches. 
     
     
         29 . The pickleball practice set according to  claim 28 , wherein the pickleball paddle has a playing surface which is 35 square inches or less. 
     
     
         30 . The pickleball practice set according to  claim 29 , wherein the ball has a plurality of holes having a diameter of about 0.25 inches. 
     
     
         31 . The pickleball practice set according to  claim 29 , wherein the paddle weighs between 6 ounces and 8.5 ounces. 
     
     
         32 . The practice set according to  claim 28 , wherein the pickleball ball has between 12 and 20 holes and a diameter of between 1.75 and 2.0 inches. 
     
     
         33 . The practice pickleball ball of  claim 28 , wherein the pickleball is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         34 . The practice pickleball ball of  claim 28 , wherein the ball has 16 holes and wherein the ball is 1.75 inches in diameter. 
     
     
         35 . A method of practicing pickleball, the method comprising:
 selecting a practice pickleball paddle having a playing surface which is less than 50 square inches;   selecting a ball having a plurality of holes therein, the ball having a diameter of between 1.70 and 2.25 inches; and   using the practice pickleball paddle to hit the ball.   
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 35 , wherein selecting a ball includes using a ball which is two inches in diameter or less. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein the ball has  16  holes formed therein. 
     
     
         38 . The method for practicing pickleball of  claim 33 , wherein the method of selecting a practice pickleball paddle comprises selecting a paddle having a playing surface on one side which is less than 35 square inches. 
     
     
         39 . The method for practicing pickleball of  claim 33 , wherein the method includes selecting a practice pickleball paddle having a handle between is between 4 and 5.5 inches long and 4 to 5.5 inches in circumference. 
     
     
         40 . A ball for practicing pickleball, the ball comprising:
 a sidewall made from a thermoplastic elastomer, the sidewall defining 12 and 20 holes extending through the sidewall and having a diameter of between 1.7 and 2.25 inches.   
     
     
         41 . The ball for practicing pickleball of  claim 40 , wherein the thermoplastic elastomer has a Shore A rating of between 60 and 80. 
     
     
         42 . The ball for practicing pickleball comprising a thermoplastic elastomer which has a Shore A rating of between 65 and 75. 
     
     
         43 . The ball for practicing pickleball of  claim 40 , the ball having a diameter of between 1.75 and 2 inches. 
     
     
         44 . The ball for practicing pickleball of  claim 40 , wherein the holes are between 0.2 and 0.26 inches in diameter. 
     
     
         45 . The ball for practicing pickleball, of  claim 40 , wherein one of the holes is disposed on the top, one of the holes is disposed on the bottom and the remaining holes are disposed in a parallel array around the ball. 
     
     
         46 . The ball for practicing pickleball of  claim 40 , wherein the holes disposed in a parallel array include 5 holes in each of two rows around the ball. 
     
     
         47 . The ball for practicing pickleball of  claim 40 , wherein the holes disposed in a parallel array include 7 holes in each of two rows around the ball.