Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It is played with a perforated plastic ball similar size to a tennis ball and paddles on a badminton-sized court with a slightly modified tennis net. Here's a brief overview of the sport:
Basic Rules
Court: The court is 20 feet (6.096m) by 44 feet (13.4112m), with a net that is 36 inches high (0.9144m) at the side-lines and 34 inches high (0.8636m) in the middle.
Serve: The serve is made underhand and diagonally crosscourt. The ball must land in the opposite diagonal service court.
Scoring: Only the serving team can score points. Games are typically played to 11 points, and a team must win by 2 points.
Double Bounce Rule: After the serve, each team must let the ball bounce once on their side before volleys are allowed.
Non-Volley Zone: There is a 7-foot (2.1336m) non-volley zone (often called the "kitchen") on each side of the net where players cannot volley the ball (hit it out of the air without letting it bounce).
Equipment
Paddles: Paddles are solid and can be made from various materials including wood, composite, or graphite.
Ball: The ball is lightweight with holes and resembles a whiffle ball (similar size to tennis ball).
Playing Styles
Singles or Doubles: Pickleball can be played as singles (one player per side) or doubles (two players per side).
Strategy: The game involves a mix of slow, strategic shots and fast-paced rallies, requiring both finesse and power.
Popularity
Growing Popularity: Pickleball has seen a rapid increase in popularity, especially in the United States, due to its accessibility and appeal to a wide range of ages and skill levels.
Community and Competitions: There are numerous local, national, and international tournaments, and many communities have pickleball clubs and leagues.
Pickleball's blend of easy-to-learn rules, engaging gameplay, and social interaction makes it a popular choice for recreational and competitive play alike.
Not to get confused with Paddle which is also adding the 4 walls (similar to squash).