What is pickleball?
Pickleball is a sport where two or four people play against each other on a special area (court) divided in half by a net.
The goal of the game is to throw the ball over the net into the opponent’s court with the racket in such a way that it is impossible for the opponent to hit it back. When the opponent can’t hit the ball back, the server gets points. The winner is the one who earns a certain number of points (11, 15, or 21) the fastest.
This is a very fun, dynamic, easy-to-learn sport. It can be played both alone and in pairs (4 people). Pickleball is very similar to tennis, racquetball, and badminton at the same time. There is also a similar paddle tennis, but it is a separate sport.
Page contents
History, rules of pickleball and equipment for it
Who is pickleball suitable for?
Pickleball is a very inclusive sport. Thanks to its easy rules, this game can be played by people from 6 to 100 years old. That is, there are almost no age restrictions.
Pickleball is also not as demanding on your physical condition as tennis, for example. And the ball is not as easy to blow away in the wind as a badminton shuttlecock.
To play, you need rackets (paddles), a ball, a flat platform, and a net. If desired, the net can be replaced with any rope or imaginary obstacle.
History of pickleball creation
Pickleball originated in the United States in the mid-1960s.
Rumor has it that one hot summer, a U.S. senator had to come up with something to entertain his family and friends. Since his badminton set was incomplete, he and his friends began to invent a simple game that could be played with table tennis rackets.
Based on the rules of badminton, they created a simple and interesting entertainment for their families.
Pickleball rules and equipment
Pickleball is played on a small court (approximately 6m x 14m) with a bottom net, which is similar in size to a badminton court. You can play both indoors and outdoors. Played with a brightly colored perforated polymer ball and lightweight rackets.
Here you can see an example of rackets and balls at an affordable price. There are also interesting offers approved by the USAPA (USA Pickleball Association) from Helium Versus or VINSGUIR.
The goal of the game is to score 11 points (the game can be up to 15 or 21 points).
Only the serving team can score points. The server can only change after making an error. In this case, the serve goes to the other team.
The difference between the teams’ scores must be at least 2 points. That is, when the score is 10-10, they first play for the advantage, and then play a match point.
Later we will write a separate full article about the rules of pickleball.
[Updated] The promised full article on pickleball rules is now available – welcome to read.
Pickleball now
Modern pickleball is a popular sport enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. Its popularity is due to its simplicity, versatility and the fact that it is a low-impact sport that is easy on the joints. It’s also a great way to stay physically active and a great means of socialization, as it can be played as a two-person game or as a four-person game (in two pairs).
Pickleball has gained considerable popularity in recent years. Especially during the COVID lockdown. People could spend time outside, socialize, but at the same time not have close contact.
This sport is very popular in the United States. They build pickleball courts and indoor courts, and hold local tournaments. It is also gaining recognition as a competitive sport, with national and international tournaments being organized.
Celebrities play pickleball and even buy pickleball teams. For example, Bill and Melinda Gates have been playing pickleball since childhood. Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney, Will Smith, Emma Watson, Kim Kardashian, and Ellen DeGeneres have been spotted with a racket.
TONIGHT ON E! pic.twitter.com/RFuEymx5WX
– Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) April 7, 2019
In general, pickleball is a fun, yet simple and challenging sport enjoyed by millions of people around the world (about 32 million at the time of writing).
The editors found an interesting video about how pickleball is played in Ukraine:
Frequently asked questions and answers
Pickleball is a sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. The game is played on a 6×13.5-meter court with a low net, using a perforated polymer ball and lightweight rackets.
Due to its simple rules and low physical requirements, pickleball is suitable for people of all ages – from children to the elderly.
Pickleball was created in the United States in the mid-1960s. According to legend, Senator Joel Pritchard and his friends invented this game to entertain their families using table tennis rackets and a ball.
The game takes place on a 6×13.5 meter court with an 86 cm high net. Players serve the ball from the bottom and after serving, the ball must bounce once on the receiving player’s side. After that, both sides must allow the ball to bounce once before rebounding.
The “kitchen” is the area near the net where it is forbidden to hit the ball on the fly. This area is 2.14 meters long on each side of the net.
The game goes to 11 points, and the team must win by 2 points. Points are awarded only to the team that serves.
Pickleball can be played both outdoors and indoors. Specialized pickleball courts are becoming more and more common, but the game can also be organized on other sports grounds with appropriate markings.
To play, you need pickleball rackets, a perforated polymer ball and a net. Rackets are usually made of lightweight materials such as wood or composites.
Currently, pickleball is not an Olympic sport, but its popularity is growing rapidly, and it may be included in the Olympic program in the future.
Yes, there are many local, national, and international pickleball tournaments in which players of different skill levels participate.
