
Though there are plenty of solo and team sports out there, one of the often overlooked sport categories is dual sports, or sports that often feature two people on the same team. If you and a friend have thought about playing a sport together, but have not found a sport yet, it is worth looking into dual sports instead of trying to get a large group of people together. Consider the following four sports that are best with two players.
Pickleball
Pickleball is a sport that, despite having been invented in 1965, has grown in popularity in recent years. This game is perfect for you if you are looking for a beginner-friendly introduction to a sport that quickly evolves into a challenging game soon after you learn the basics. It is also a great fit if you like socializing with everyone from your teammate to your opponents. While pickleball is sort of a hodgepodge of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, it has evolved into something much more. All you need to start playing is a net, the proper ball and a good paddletek pickleball paddles set. Throw in a healthy dose of optimism and good attitude, and you will be ready to hit the court in no time.
Tennis
Tennis is a renowned sport all over the world, and the most popular tennis stars are also some of the highest-paid athletes. While more popular than most of its counterparts, tennis is just as easy to learn how to play. However, there are several key differences between tennis and pickleball. Tennis is played with a racket, or racquet depending on where you live. Tennis is also classified as an olympic sport. Though it is incredibly physical, tennis is just as much a mental game. If you decide to play tennis, you and your partner will need to train your minds and bodies to work in perfect order so the both of you do not have to worry about whether you will be able to get a stray ball back under your control or whether you will be able to jump high enough to make that perfect overhead smash.
Racquetball
Racquetball, though in the same family as tennis and pickleball, has its own quirks when it comes to the layout and gameplay. First, the american version is usually played inside in an enclosed court, as a rogue ball can be very dangerous and needs to be contained. Secondly, the ball is made completely out of rubber and is hollow in the middle. Another thing is that racquetball has actually declined in popularity when compared to other sports in the same category despite being an olympic sport. One reason that this might be the case is that, due to the speed and ferocity that racquetball tends to be played at, it is not often televised, and when it is, the viewers might have a hard time witnessing gameplay.
Badminton
Badminton is also an olympic sport, and it has a rich history. Created in China over 2,000 years ago and introduced to America in 1929, this sport is the reason behind the popular phrase 'watch the birdie'. The birdie, or shuttlecock, is usually made of plastic or a combination of plastic and feathers, and can reach speeds of 100 miles per hour or more, especially when the best players are playing each other. While it might take you and your partner a while to get the birdie up to speeds even close to that, you can relish the idea of knowing that you two are playing the second most popular sport in the world.
All dual sports are very similar to each other, but there are key differences between all of them. Keep these sports in mind as you and your partner search for the perfect one to play together, and make sure to learn the etiquette of whichever one you choose. Most importantly, remember to have fun!