Ever wondered what the hype about Pickleball is all about? In this blog, we’ll go over the rules of pickleball, equipment needed, fouls, and how to win.
Pickleball is a popular paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It is played with a paddle and a plastic ball on a court with a lowered net. The game is easy to learn and can be played by people of all ages and skill levels.
The Story and History of Pickleball
Pickleball is a relatively new sport that was created in the mid-1960s by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. The three friends were trying to come up with a game that would be fun for their families to play during a summer vacation on Bainbridge Island, Washington. They took elements from tennis, badminton, and ping pong and combined them into a new game that they called “pickleball.”
The game was named after Pritchard’s dog, Pickles, who would often chase after the ball during the early days of the game. According to legend, Pickles would grab the ball and run off with it, inspiring the name “pickleball.”
The original pickleball court was created by using a badminton court and lowering the net. The ball used in the game was a whiffle ball, which was easier to hit and slower than a tennis ball. The paddles were made out of plywood, and the game was played with rules similar to those of badminton.
Over time, the game grew in popularity, and the rules were refined. In the 1970s, the first pickleball tournament was held, and the USAPA (USA Pickleball Association) was formed to promote the sport and establish official rules and standards.
What Equipment is Needed for Pickleball?
To play pickleball, you will need the following equipment:
Paddle
A paddle is a small, lightweight racket used to hit the ball. Pickleball paddles are made of different materials like wood, graphite, or composite and the surface must be smooth with no texturing.
Ball
A pickleball is a lightweight plastic ball with between 26 and 40 evenly spaced circular holes. The ball is smaller than a tennis ball, and is designed to travel slower than a tennis ball, making it easier to hit.
This is an awesome family set! It has great reviews and is one of the most popular available: Pickleball Set with 4 Premium Wood Pickleball Paddles
Athletic shoes
Athletic shoes are necessary to play pickleball, as they provide the necessary support and traction to move around the court.
A Pickleball Court
A pickleball court is smaller than a tennis court, measuring 20 feet by 44 feet. The court has a lowered net that’s 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches high at the centre.
The Rules of Pickleball.
The rules of pickleball are straightforward, making it easy for beginners to learn.
Here are the basic rules:
Serving: The serve must be hit underhand and diagonally across the court. The server can drop the ball and hit it before it hits the ground “Volley Serve” or be dropped and bounce prior to serving “Drop Serve”. The serve must land in the opposite diagonal court without touching the net. The server is the only player that can score points. When the server commits a foul they ‘lose serve’ and the opposing side ‘wins serve’ and can start gaining points.
Double Bounce Rule: When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce before hitting it back. After the first two bounces, both teams can either volley or play the ball off the bounce. i.e. The ball is served > the receiving team lets the ball bounce before returning > the serving team does the same > the ball has now bounced twice (once on each side) and can now be volleyed or bounced.
Volleying: A player can volley the ball (hit it in the air without letting it bounce) only when they are standing outside the seven-foot non-volley zone.
Scoring: A game is played to 11 points, and a team must win by two points. Only the serving team can score a point.
Faults: A fault is committed when a player hits the ball out of bounds, fails to hit the ball over the net, or hits the ball into the net. If a player commits a fault, the other team gets a point.
Switching Sides: After the first game, players switch sides of the court.
OK, but What are the Fouls in Pickleball?
Fouls occur when a player violates the rules of the game. Here are some common fouls in pickleball:
Non-volley zone violation: A player steps into the non-volley zone and hits the ball before it bounces.
Ball hitting the net: If a player hits the ball into the net, it’s considered a fault.
Double hit: If a player hits the ball twice in a row, it’s considered a fault.
Out of bounds: If the ball lands outside the court lines, it’s considered a fault.
How to Win a Pickleball Game
To win at pickleball, you need to score more points than your opponent. You can score a point by serving the ball inbounds and making it difficult for your opponent to return. You can also score a point if your opponent commits a fault.
The game is played to 11 points, and you must win by two points. The first team to reach 11 points with a two-point lead wins the game. If the score is tied at 10-10, the game continues until one team has a two-point lead.
What is the Kitchen in Pickleball?
The Kitchen in Pickleball is not the place to prepare food, it is also not the place to volley the ball! The Kitchen is a colloquial term for the section of the court that stretches 7 feet on each side of the net. Within the kitchen, players are not allowed to volley the ball. If a player does volley the ball, it is a foul and spectators will all shout “kitchen”.
Pickleball is a fun and social sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. It’s easy to learn, and the equipment is relatively affordable, making it accessible to anyone who wants to try it. Whether you’re playing for fun or competition, following the rules and avoiding fouls will help you have a more enjoyable game.
In addition to being a great form of exercise, pickleball is also an excellent way to meet new people and socialise. Many community centres, parks, and recreational facilities offer pickleball courts, and there are even pickleball clubs and tournaments held all around the world.
If you’re interested in trying pickleball, consider taking a lesson or attending a club to learn the basics. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find that pickleball is a fun and addictive sport that can provide hours of enjoyment and entertainment. So grab a paddle and a ball, head to the court, and give pickleball a try!
If you like this one check out another up and rising sport – Disc Golf. Or, follow us pn twitter for all the latest sport news! @allsportrules
