What is Pickleball? Pickleball is a term you’ve probably heard your friends mention but you have no idea what they are talking about. It involves a ball, hence the name, but what is pickleball really?
Pickleball is a sport that combines badminton and tennis into one action packed game. The game is played with 2 or 4 people equipped with wood or composite paddles lobbing what could be described as a miniature wiffle ball over a net.
In this guide we’ll discuss what this new fad sport is and why it’s becoming popular with sports enthusiasts and those looking to have a good time with friends.
Related – Need a NEW Pickleball Paddle? See the TOP picks here!
What is Pickleball?
Pickleball is a sport that combines badminton and tennis into one action packed game. The game is played with 2 or 4 people equipped with wood or composite paddles lobbing what could be described as a miniature wiffle ball over a net. A Pickleball is about the same size as a ping pong ball and is a perforated ball made of plastic polymer.
Why is it called pickleball?
Pickleball was first started in 1965 by Joel Pritchard and friends who attempted to set up a badminton net but couldn’t find the shuttle cock. The net was then lowered, they found a wiffle ball, and McGivered some paddles out of a pile of wood. Pickleball was born. But oddly enough, the name Pickleball was coined after their dog named “pickle” who would catch the balls and run away with them. This is why they call pickleball, pickleball.
Rules of Pickleball
Play ends when one side commits one of the following faults:
- not hitting the serve into the opponent’s diagonal service court
- not hitting the ball beyond the net
- not hitting the ball before the 2nd bounce on one side of the net
- hitting the ball out of bounds
- volleying the ball on the service return
- volleying the ball on the first return by the serving side
- stepping into the non-volley zone (the first seven feet from the net, also known as the ‘kitchen’) in the act of volleying the ball.
Check out the new 2020 Pickleball Rule Changes.
Pickleball Court Size
A regulation pickleball court measures 44 feet long by 22 feet wide and resembles a miniature tennis court or doubles badminton court. It features a 36-inch net hung at the sides which lowers to 34-inches at the center. Just beyond the net, a pickleball court has a “no volley” zone that extends back 7 feet which restricts all volleys. The court features similar lines to a tennis court but doesn’t have alleys along the sides. Standard size tennis courts can be converted to pickleball courts with some tape and a little ingenuity.
The 5 Rules of Pickleball
The top 5 rules of pickleball are as follows:
- No diagonal serves
- No volleys within the restricted zone
- You must hit the ball before the second bounce
- No volleys on service returns
- First team to score 11 points and lead by 2 wins
Pickleball Scoring
At the beginning of a pickleball game, the score is 0-0. The first team to score 11 points and lead by at least 2 points wins the game. If both teams are tied at 10 points, the first team to achieve a 2 point lead wins the game.
Pickleball Court Dimensions
22-feet wide X 44-feet long
Pickleball Non Volley Zone Definition
The non volley zone is a 7 foot wide area extending out in front the net on either side of the court which volleys are restricted. Service must occur behind this area or it results in a foul. In pickleball the serve must be clear of the net and taken from the approved service zone.
Pickleball Sets
Pickleball sets come with paddles and pickleballs so that you have everything you need to play pickleball minus the court. Some pickleball sets even come with easy carrying backpacks and cases to make getting equipment to the courts easier.
Need a pickleball set? Check out the top picks for paddles and pickleballs here.
About Me
Hi! I’m Marie Spentel. I’ve been an avid Pickleball player for over 2 decades. I worked in several Pickleball leagues and climbed my way up to a 4.5 level rating. These days, I can usually be found practicing court techniques, consulting with others in the industry, and blogging about Pickleball! Read More
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