What is Pickleball? A Beginner’s Guide to the Exciting Sport
In recent years, pickleball has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S., with 4.8 million people playing and a 39.3% growth rate over the past two years. Many parks and recreation departments now include it in their programs.
This fun mix of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong is played on a small court with paddles and a plastic ball with holes. It’s easy to learn and great for all ages and skill levels.
Find out why so many people love this sport!
What is Pickleball?
Pickleball is a fun and exciting game that mixes parts of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It’s played on a small court, about the size of a badminton court, with a net that is a bit lower than a tennis net. Players use hard paddles and a lightweight plastic ball with holes.
The small court makes pickleball easier on the knees and hips, so it’s a great option for people of all ages and fitness levels. You can play either one-on-one or in teams of two. The rules are easy to learn, making it perfect for beginners, but the fast pace keeps it challenging for those who want more competition.
History of Pickleball
Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by three friends: Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. They came up with the game to keep their kids entertained. At first, they used handmade equipment and played by simple rules. Over the years, pickleball has become very popular in the US and Canada and is now catching on in Europe and Asia too.
What Equipment Do You Need to Play Pickleball?
To play pickleball, you only need a few things:
- Flat Paddle
- Plastic Ball with Holes
- Net
- Court
Modern paddles come in different sizes but must be under 17 inches long.
The ball, which looks like a wiffle ball, has 26 to 40 holes and is about 3 inches in diameter.
A pickleball court is 20×44 feet, the same size as a doubles badminton court, and it’s used for both singles and doubles games.
The net is 36 inches high at the sides and 34 inches in the middle.
The court has similar lines to a tennis court, including right and left service areas and a 7-foot no-volley zone, called the “kitchen,” in front of the net.
You can either build a pickleball court from scratch or convert an existing tennis or badminton court.
How to Play Pickleball?
Here is a quick overview of how Pickleball is played.
Game Setup
- Pickleball can be played with two players on each team (doubles) or one player on each team (singles).
- The court size and rules are the same for both singles and doubles.
Serving Rules
- Serve underhand, hitting the ball below your waist, and keep the paddle head below your wrist.
- You can also do a ‘drop serve’ where these rules don’t apply.
- Keep your feet behind the baseline when serving, and serve diagonally to the opposite court.
- You only get one serve attempt.
Serving Sequence
- In doubles, both players on the serving team get to serve and score points until they make a fault (except for the first serve of the game).
- The first serve starts from the right side. If you score a point, switch sides and serve again.
- This continues until a fault is made, and then the serve goes to the second player.
- In singles, serve from the right when your score is even and from the left when your score is odd.
Scoring
- Only the serving team can score points.
- Games are usually played to 11 points, but you must win by 2 points.
- Tournament games may go to 15 or 21 points, but you still need to win by 2.
Two-Bounce Rule
- When served, the receiving team must let the ball bounce once before returning it.
- The serving team must also let the ball bounce once before hitting it back.
- After these two bounces, both teams can hit the ball in the air (volley) or let it bounce first.
Non-Volley Zone (The Kitchen)
- The non-volley zone is the area within 7 feet of the net on both sides.
- You cannot hit the ball in the air while standing in this zone.
- It’s a fault if you step into the non-volley zone during a volley or if your momentum carries you into the zone after a volley.
- You can be in the non-volley zone anytime except when volleying.
Faults
- A fault is any action that stops play due to a rule violation.
- A fault by the receiving team gives a point to the serving team.
- A fault by the serving team results in a loss of serve or a side out.
Determining the Serving Team
Any fair method, like a coin flip, can be used to decide which team serves first or which side they start on.
Benefits of Playing Pickleball
Playing pickleball can be great for both your body and mind. Here’s how:
1. Physical Health
Pickleball is a moderate exercise that helps you burn calories, tone muscles, improve flexibility, and boost your energy. It can also lower your blood pressure, improve balance and agility, and might even help with weight loss.
2. Mental Health
Playing pickleball can lift your mood, boost your self-esteem, and reduce stress. Physical activity releases endorphins, which are chemicals in your brain that help relieve pain and stress, making you feel happier and more relaxed.
3. Cognitive Benefits
Pickleball requires you to think strategically, focus, and make quick decisions, which helps keep your brain sharp and engaged.
Why is Pickleball So Popular?
Pickleball is quickly becoming popular in the United States for many reasons. The smaller court size makes it easy for people of all ages and fitness levels to play.
The game has simple rules, so it’s easy to learn, and it’s a great way to meet and interact with others while playing.
Pickleball is good exercise, helping improve balance, agility, reflexes, and heart health.
It also benefits mental health because it requires strategic thinking.
Plus, since you can play pickleball outdoors, it became even more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic because it allows for social distancing.
Conclusion
Whether you want to stay active, meet new people, or challenge your mind, pickleball is the perfect choice. Enjoy the fun and friendship that comes with pickleball, and find out why so many people love this game!
FAQs
What is Pickleball and why is it so popular?
Pickleball is a fun sport that mixes tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It’s become super popular in recent years because it’s easy to learn, accessible, and great for socializing. People of all ages love it.
What is Pickleball in simple terms?
Pickleball is a paddle sport that mixes tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, using a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. It’s perfect for people of all ages and skill levels. The rules are simple, making it a great sport for beginners.
Why Pickleball is a great sport?
Since pickleball is a low-impact sport and easy on the body, it’s a great way to stay active and keep your bones, joints, and muscles healthy.
