A complete guide to getting started playing pickleball

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It’s easy to underestimate an activity with the name pickleball. However, as the fastest growing sport in the United States, it’s clear that pickleball is more than just a sport with a funny name. While it was once an activity played mainly in retirement communities, people of all ages are developing a love for pickleball.

With its newfound popularity, there’s a good chance you’ll get asked to participate in a game of pickleball. It’s also an excellent, low-impact exercise for people of all fitness levels. So, if you’re curious about this trending sport, here is a complete guide to getting started playing pickleball.

What is pickleball?

While it’s a unique sport, many think pickleball is a combination of a few other activities, including tennis, Ping-Pong, and badminton. For instance, pickleball is played on a court similar in size to badminton with paddles slightly larger than Ping-Pong paddles. When played, however, pickleball looks a lot like tennis since you hit the ball back and forth over a somewhat shorter tennis net. However, it’s played with a plastic Wiffle ball with holes, which doesn’t bounce as much as tennis balls.

Origin of pickleball

Pickleball was invented by three men, Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum, who were searching for a cure to their boredom. They grabbed a few pieces of equipment from their shed, including a perforated ball and table tennis paddles, and headed out to their badminton court. After a lot of trial and error, pickleball was eventually created. How to play pickleball

Pickleball is a recognized sport, which means it has official rules determined by the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) and the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP). Before you play pickleball, here are a few rules you should know.

Basic pickleball rules

Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles. While the rules are generally the same, there are a few changes from singles to doubles.
A pickleball court measures at least 30 by 60 feet. You can play it indoors or outdoors on a hard surface.

Pickleball serving

You always use an underhand serve.
Service contact on the ball must be made below the waist.
Both the serve and return serve have to bounce before hitting the ball.
The serve starts on the right-hand side.
The server switches sides when they win a point. No players switch sides if the receiving side wins the rally.
The server keeps serving until they lose the rally. If they lose, the opposite side gets to serve.
The server has to keep one foot behind the back line when serving.
The serve must be hit diagonally and must clear the no-volley zone.

Pickleball scoring

Only the serving side can score a point.
A game of pickleball is played to 11 points, and a team must win by 2 points. However, tournaments may play to a higher score.
If the ball touches the line, it is considered in. However, if the ball hits the line in the non-volley zone, it is out.
In a singles game, the scoring is called as two numbers. The first number refers to the servers’ score, and the second number is the receiver’s score.
In a doubles game, the scoring is called as three numbers. The first number is the serving team’s score, the second number is the receiving team’s score, and the third number refers to the serve number.

Pickleball faults

Faults are moves that cause the loss of a point. A fault is committed when:

The ball hits the net.
The ball is hit out of bounds.
The ball is volleyed while in the no-volley zone.
The ball is volleyed before a bounce on the first serve and first return.
The ball hits a player.

Pickleball non-volley zone

No volleys are allowed in the non-volley zone.
The non-volley zone is the area extending seven feet past the net on both sides for a total non-volley zone of 14 feet. The non-volley zone is referred to as the Kitchen.
A player can be in the non-volley zone, as long as they are not volleying a ball.

Equipment to play pickleball

To properly play pickleball, you will need a court, net, pickleball paddle, a pickleball and appropriate apparel.

Pickleball paddles

If you plan to play in official pickleball games or tournaments, you’ll need a USAPA-approved paddle. However, beginners and casual pickleball players don’t need to worry about choosing a regulation-sized paddle and should choose one that’s most comfortable.

Onix Z5 Graphite Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle

With a paper honeycomb core, graphite face, and widebody shape, this paddle is designed for superior ball control. Also, the handle mimics the shape of a tennis racket, giving tennis players a smooth and familiar transition into pickleball.

A complete guide to getting started playing pickleball

What is pickleball?

Origin of pickleball

Basic pickleball rules

Pickleball serving

Pickleball scoring

Pickleball faults

Pickleball non-volley zone

Equipment to play pickleball

Pickleball paddles

Pickleballs

Pickleball nets

Pickleball shoes

Pickleball bags

Pickleball sets