Pickleball’s Popularity Reaches Lockhart In Massapequa

Pictured: Lockhart Elementary School fifth graders have been enjoying a new pickleball unit in physical education classes.

Photos courtesy of the Massapequa School District

The pickleball craze has come to Lockhart Elementary School in the Massapequa School District. Students are enjoying the fast-growing sport in physical education classes, learning the rules and engaging in competition.

With six courts in the gym, fourth graders are learning the fundamentals of pickleball in scrimmage matches before the competitions begins.

Physical education teachers Joe Catalanotto and Sandra Vacirca said that the pickleball unit is new this year for second through fifth grade students. They set up six courts in the gym, with four players per court at a time. There are neon yellow pickleballs as well as small and large paddles.

Lockhart is the first elementary school in Massapequa to introduce pickleball as a unit in physical education.

The unit began with an introduction to pickleball rules and etiquette, including how to play with a partner. After learning the fundamentals of the game, students began playing scrimmage matches, before moving on to scored competitions.

“Pickleball has become extremely popular,” Ms. Vacirca said. “Everyone’s playing it, so we said, ‘Let’s do it!”