I am signing in …we will see how it goes….i may just come for a stretch/workout

I don’t want to make seven….i would sign in as an eighth for the challenge court

I have given some thought to the physics of the new lift rule since it was introduced this year. Here are my thoughts, for what it is worth.

For a lift to occur, the paddle essentially needs to “catch” the ball. For this to occur with two solid objects, i.e. a pickleball and paddle, the paddle needs to be moving at the time of contact with essentially the same velocity, i.e. speed and direction, as the ball. (See video demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACdZu2Gva64 ) If that is not the case, the ball will rebound off of the paddle. This is very similar to a collision between two billiard balls where one is moving at a different velocity than the other. They may move off in the same direction, but do not do so together at the same velocity. Physics refers to these as elastic collisions.

Since the vast, vast majority of pickleball shots involve the paddle moving in a direction and speed different than that of the ball, I believe lifts are a very rare occurrence. What might be perceived as a lift may really be a double (and legal) contact. I have tried to lift the ball without the paddle matching the ball’s velocity and been unsuccessful. If someone is able to do it, I would be very interested in seeing a demonstration.

Side note: The pitch of the sound made when a paddle hits the ball is related to the amount of time the ball and paddle were in contact. If you hear two rapid smacks, that was a double contact. Since a lift is prolonged contact, it should have a very different sound, likely no real audible sound at all.