understanding pickleball

Pickleball is played with a paddle and plastic ball on a badminton-sized court with a slightly modified tennis net. The game was invented in 1965 by three fathers in Washington state as a backyard diversion for their bored children. While the origin story is filled with whimsy, pickleball has evolved into a serious sport with professional tournaments and official rulebooks.

The objective of pickleball is simple – use your paddle to hit the ball over the net and into the opponent’s court. You score a point if the opponent fails to return the ball or hits it out of bounds. Matches are typically played to 11 points with a two-point cushion.

Pickleball can be played in singles (one player per side) or doubles (two players per side). Doubles are the most common style of play. Players take turns serving and only the serving side can score points. The serve must be made underhand and diagonally into the proper service court.

There are a few unique rules that distinguish pickleball from other racquet sports. The non-volley zone, nicknamed “the kitchen,” prohibits players from volleying the ball while standing inside a 7-foot zone next to the net. This prevents smashing and encourages understated finesse shots. Hitting the ball out of the air before it bounces is also prohibited. These rules facilitate longer rallies focused on placement rather than power.

Compared to the similar sport of tennis, a pickleball court is smaller in dimensions, enabling more strategic play. The size of a pickleball court is 20′ x 44′ for both singles and doubles – approximately 1/4th the size of a tennis court. The smaller court dimensions reward precise ball control and the ability to “dink” the ball just over the net. Tennis courts are 78 feet long while pickleball courts max out at 44 feet. The compact size places a greater emphasis on ball placement accuracy.

The pickleball paddle is about twice the size of a ping pong paddle at around 6-8 inches wide. Pickleballs have similar dimensions to wiffle balls with 26-40 holes punched into the plastic shell. This gives the ball a unique, aerodynamic movement. Paddles and balls are designed to enable longer volleys compared to tennis.

With its friendly competition and unique equipment, pickleball has become a popular lifetime sport for all ages. The court dimensions and objectives create a fun dynamic – easy to learn but challenging to master. Try it yourself and you’ll quickly gain an appreciation for pickleball. Do visit our site for more details