How it started
Pickleball has been described as if tennis and ping pong got together and had a baby. It is played on a court slightly smaller than a tennis court, using paddles slightly bigger than a ping pong paddle to hit a ball about the size of a tennis ball but is made of plastic and has holes.
Believe it or not, Pickleball started in 1965. It is the brainchild of Barney McCallum, Joel Pritchard, and Bill Bell of Bainbridge Island, Washington. They say necessity is the mother of invention and these three needed a way to entertain their guests using only household items. They decided on ping pong paddles and a whiffle ball. And so pickleball was born!
The sport slowly caught on, but mostly with older people. The low-impact exercise and competition pickleball offered made it ideal for retirees. Over time, official organizations such as the USAPA (USA Pickleball Association), advancements in equipment, access to both indoor and outdoor courts, and plain ‘ol word of mouth catapulted pickleball into what we know today. It is now the fastest-growing sport in the United States, and the official state sport of Washington.
Starter Pack
Since pickleball is a racket or paddle sport, you will only need a few items to start playing.
- Paddle
- Ball
- Partner
- Court
That’s it! Of the four, you will probably spend the most on the paddle. Paddles start in the 10’s of dollars to as high as a few hundred dollars. The advantages one gains from using higher-end paddles can be debated and there are probably diminishing returns the higher you go up (as with any sporting equipment), but if you’re looking to start out quickly and cheaply, the paddles you find on Amazon or your local big-box sporting goods store will do just fine. It’s best to get out there, learn the rules, and get a feel for the game.
Depending on where you live, it might be difficult to find a court. If you’re located in an area that doesn’t have many (or any) pickleball courts, you can use a tennis court as a substitute. It’s not ideal as the net height and court dimensions are different. But it’s close enough. Another option is to get a portable pickleball net set. You can find these on Amazon or any sporting goods store. Having your own net allows you to convert any flat surface to a pickleball court. It’s great if you have a driveway, empty parking lot, or basketball court.
In terms of skill level, the wonderful thing about pickleball is that it is easy to pick up but difficult to master. This means a newcomer to the sport without any sports background can start playing and more importantly start having fun. As their skill progresses, the nuances of the game will start revealing themselves and offer continual challenges. The opportunity to play doubles (2 against 2) matches appeals to people who do not have the mobility to play tennis. Compared to tennis, the court is smaller and the pace slower because of the paddle and construction of the ball. But this doesn’t mean pickleball is not competitive. Different strategies can be applied to complement a person’s strengths. If they can hit the ball hard and accurately, they can be a banger. If they have a soft touch, they can dink and play the cat and mouse game. However, it’s best to have an all-around game as it increases your chances of defeating any opponent.
Pickleball Rules
Court and Equipment
- Pickleball is played on a court with dimensions of 20 feet wide and 44 feet long for both singles and doubles matches.
- The net is hung at 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle.
- Players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials and a perforated polymer ball similar to a wiffle ball.
Service
- Like in tennis, the serve must be made diagonally cross-court.
- The server must keep one foot behind the back line and may not step into the non-volley zone (known as the “kitchen”) until after the ball has been struck.
Scoring
- Only the serving team can score points. This is called side-out scoring.
- Games are typically played to 11 points, and a team must win by at least two points.
- The serving team continues to serve until they commit a fault (such as hitting the ball out of bounds or into the net).
Double Bounce Rule
- Each team must allow the ball to bounce once on each side (their side and the opponent’s side) before volleys are allowed.
- The non-volley zone (the area within 7 feet on either side of the net) is off-limits for volleys, meaning players cannot hit the ball out of the air while standing within this zone.
Faults
- A fault is committed if a player violates any of the rules, such as stepping into the non-volley zone and volleying the ball or failing to allow the ball to bounce before hitting it.
- When a fault occurs, the opposing team is awarded a point, and the serve rotates to the other team.
Doubles Play
- In doubles play, each team has two players who alternate hitting the ball.
- Both players on a team must hit the ball before it is returned to the opposing side.
Let Serves
- If the ball hits the net during a serve but still lands within the proper serving court, it is considered a let serve, and the serve is replayed without penalty.