匹克球是一種用球拍擊球的運動。這項運動使用的球身較輕，它被看作是網球、羽毛球和乒乓球運動的結合體。匹克球運動對身體的沖擊較小，老少皆宜。也正是因此，這項運動在英國越來越受歡迎。本期 “隨身英語” 介紹這個新興運動以及它受歡迎的原因。
詞匯：sport 運動
Pickleball. It’s got nothing to do with pickles – it’s a sport. It has been described as a combination of tennis, badminton and table tennis. Picture a small plastic ball soaring through the air that you need to bat back to your partner, or partners.
Many Brits are listening to their inner athlete and picking up this racket game. In the UK, there are currently around 7,000 players, according to Pickleball England. But the association aims to have more than 25,000 players by 2025 and is even attempting to get the sport played as part of promotion for the 2028 Olympics.
How exactly do you play this game? Well, it can be played indoors or outdoors and it can be played as a singles or doubles game. There are a few easy-to-understand rules. The ball is served underhand and should be batted diagonally across the court. On the first two hits, the ball has to bounce, but after that, players are free to volley. To win a point, the defending side must miss the ball.
So, why is it popular? Firstly, it appears to be a game for all ages. The ball is lightweight because it’s full of holes. This means that, when batting, there is much less impact on the body than when hitting a tennis ball, for example. Elaine Brown, who is in her 50s and a regular pickleball player, told news organisation, The Guardian why she loves the sport. “It’s good exercise, it’s strategic, it can be as hard or as easy as you want it to be, and most of the time it’s just good fun.”
And the social aspect and low-impact nature of the game has been attracting players worldwide, creating a blossoming community of pickleball enthusiasts, such as celebrities Bill Gates and Leonardo DiCaprio. So, if you fancy picking it up, find your local pickleball court and give it a go!
詞匯表
pickleball 匹克球運動
badminton 羽毛球運動
soar 飛行
bat 用球拍擊（球）
athlete 運動員，擅長運動的人
racket 球拍
Olympics 奧林匹克運動會
singles 單打比賽
doubles 雙打比賽
serve 發球
underhand 下手（發球）
diagonally 對角地
court 球場
bounce 反彈，落地後彈起
volley 截擊球，凌空擊球
defending side 防守方，接球方
miss 未擊中
lightweight 重量輕的
impact 沖擊
strategic 有策略的
low-impact 對身體沖擊力小的，低強度的
enthusiast 愛好者，熱衷於…的人
測驗與練習
1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。
1. What do Pickleball England hope to achieve by 2025?
2. Which sports is pickleball similar to?
3. True or False? The game must be played with a partner.
4. How do you score a point in pickleball?
5. Why does the sport have less impact on the body than sports like tennis?
2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。
1. The rubber ball _______ off the table and straight into my drink!
batted served bounced missed
2. Will I see you on the _______ later? I booked our game for 4pm.
court racket badminton pickleball
3. Phones are so _______ nowadays. I need a new one. Mine is really heavy.
singles lightweight doubles low-impact
4. He’s a Harry Potter _______. He’s read the books about ten times!
impact enthusiast volley side
5. Dan has a very _______ mind. I think that’s why he’s so good at chess.
strategic defending underhand social
答案
1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。
1. What do Pickleball England hope to achieve by 2025?
The association aims to have more than 25,000 players by 2025.
2. Which sports is pickleball similar to?
It has been described as a combination of tennis, badminton and table tennis.
3.True or False? The game must be played with a partner.
True. It can be played as a singles or doubles game.
4. How do you score a point in pickleball?
To win a point, the defending side must miss the ball.
5. Why does the sport have less impact on the body than sports like tennis?
The ball is lightweight because it’s full of holes.
2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。
1. The rubber ball bounced off the table and straight into my drink!
2. Will I see you on the court later? I booked our game for 4pm.
3. Phones are so lightweight nowadays. I need a new one. Mine is really heavy.
4. He’s a Harry Potter enthusiast. He’s read the books about ten times!
5. Dan has a very strategic mind. I think that’s why he’s so good at chess.
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