After months of being inside, there’s nothing like getting out and enjoying some time on the courts. Getting outside, and staying fit is important, but COVID-19 is no joke. As more things begin to open back up, there are a few precautions you can take to keep yourself and others safe and healthy.

First– Don’t go out if you’re not feeling well, or have knowingly been exposed to COVID-19. You could unknowingly harm other people in the community, and you probably won’t play well anyway. 

Be aware of high traffic areas like gate latches, door handles, benches and other places that are commonly touched. Bring a towel, gloves or hand sanitizer just in case.

Luckily for Pickleball, it can be played in mother nature. Try to utilize outdoor courts or well ventilated areas when you’re playing, especially if there will be other players around.

You’ll want to avoid sharing or touching paddles, water bottles and other equipment. The USAPA recommends that you coordinate with your play group so that each person serves with a different color ball. Even if you just  mark yours with a permanent marker, you’ll be able to track who’s touched what.

This can be the perfect time to introduce a spouse, parent, sibling, or anyone who you’ve been quarantining with, to the game. Or maybe this is a time to practice on your singles game. If you do play doubles, try to make your partner is someone you live with.

This should go without saying, but do your best to maximize distance between you and other Pickleballers.  Luckily the non-volley zone should keep you at least 14 feet from your opponent, perfect from so social distance playing.  After a match, touching paddles instead of shaking hands. We all want to be good sports, but we also want to be safe.

A little safety can go a long way. Some of these tips might seem excessive, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. It’s might not be the ideal playing situation, but with a few extra  precautions,  there’s no reason you can’t get out, have fun and enjoy the game.