Pickleball is a fun and easy sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. You play it on a court with a net, using paddles and a plastic ball with holes. You can play it as singles or doubles. Pickleball has many benefits for your physical and mental health, such as improving your fitness, coordination, concentration, and mood. It is also a great way to socialize and meet new people who share your interest. To get started with pickleball, you just need to find a place and a partner to play with. You can use online platforms or local groups to find pickleball locations and players near you. You can also buy or rent the equipment you need, such as a paddle, a ball, and a net. You can also watch some videos or read some articles to learn the rules and scoring of pickleball, which are similar to tennis but with some differences. Pickleball is a sport that anyone can enjoy, regardless of age or skill level. It is also one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S. and the world. Why not give it a try and see for yourself?
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Pickleball
as a hobby
Despite its silly terms and funny name, pickleball is actually quite a sophisticated game.
Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and philanthropist
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For a few years, Pickleball has been the fastest growing sport in America.
Sports, Fitness, and Leisure Activities Topline Participation Report
Basic lingo for orientation.
- Ace: A serve that is not returned by the opponent and wins the point.
- Approach shot: A shot that is hit while moving forward toward the net.
- Backhand: A shot that is hit on the opposite side of the dominant hand.
- Backspin: A spin that is applied to the ball by hitting it from high to low, causing it to slow down and bounce low.
- Baseline: The line at the back end of the court, 22 feet from the net.
- Carry: A shot that is not allowed, where the ball does not bounce off the paddle but is carried along with it during the swing.
- Centerline: The line that divides the court into two equal halves, from the net to the baseline.
- Champion shot: A shot that bounces twice in the non-volley zone before being returned.
- Cross-court: The area of the court that is diagonally opposite from one’s own side.
- Dillball: A ball that is inbounds and has bounced once, ready to be returned.
- Dink shot: A soft shot that arcs over the net and lands in the non-volley zone.
- Doubles: A game of pickleball played with four players, two on each team.
- Double bounce: A rule that requires each team to let the ball bounce once before returning it after the serve.
- Dead ball: A ball that is declared after a fault, ending the point.
- Drop shot: A shot that drops over the net and lands near the non-volley line, forcing the opponent to move forward.
- Erne: A shot where a player steps around the non-volley zone and volleys a ball that is near the sideline.
- Fault: An action or event that results in a loss of point or serve, such as hitting the ball out of bounds, into the net, or into the non-volley zone on a serve or volley.
- Foot fault: A fault where a player steps on or over the non-volley line or baseline while hitting the ball or before it bounces.
- Forehand: A shot that is hit on the same side as the dominant hand.
- Half-volley: A shot where a player hits the ball immediately after it bounces, without letting it rise.
- Kitchen: Another name for the non-volley zone, a 7-foot area on both sides of the net where players cannot volley the ball. The origin of this term is unclear, but some possible explanations are related to cooking, canning, or pickling metaphors.
- Let: A serve that hits the net and lands inbounds, resulting in a replay of the serve. Also, a rally that is interrupted by an external factor, such as a stray ball or a person entering the court, resulting in a replay of the point.
- Lob: A high-arcing shot that goes over the opponent’s head and lands near the baseline.
- Non-volley zone (NVZ): The 7-foot area on both sides of the net where players cannot volley the ball unless it bounces first.
- Pickler: A person who plays pickleball.
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How to break the ice and make a start.
- Watch some videos, and go over the basic terms and FAQ, to get inspired and familiar with pickleball.
- Buy your first pickleball set.
- If you have a partner, hit the local pickleball court and have fun.
- If you don’t have a partner, try to find one near you. You can also hit the court on your own. Practice by yourself and eventually find a partner.
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Further reading.
- Fifty years ago, I started playing this little-known sport with a funny name. Now, it’s all the rage. | Bill Gates
- What is Pickleball? | What You Need to Know About Pickleball | USA Pickleball
- The powerful play of pickleball – Harvard Health
- Can Pickleball Save America? | The New Yorker
- Physical and Mental Benefits of Pickleball, With Fun Besides | Psychology Today
- Why Is Pickleball So Popular? 4 Reasons to Play | Verywell Fit
- Frontiers | Pickleball and mental health in adults: A systematic review | Frontiers
- Pickleball: Good for your body and mind! | Mayo Clinic Connect
- Pickleball is the Fastest-Growing Sport for Second Year in a Row, Growing by 39.3% – USA Pickleball
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Go-tos for information.
- USA Pickleball
- PlayPickleball.com – Play, Learn, Compete
- Pickler Pickleball | Pickleball. More than a sport.™ | Pickler
- Pickleball Kitchen | A website about the great game of pickleball! Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, welcome!
- Pickleball | The home for all things pickleball.
- Pickleball University – The Front Page of Pickleball
- Pickleball Channel
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Pickleball was invented by accident by three dads who wanted to entertain their kids. In 1965, Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum were looking for something to do with their bored children on Bainbridge Island, Washington. They improvised a game using ping pong paddles, a perforated plastic ball, and a badminton net. They named it pickleball after Pritchard’s dog Pickles, who loved to chase the ball and run away with it.
Pickleball History | Pickleball Origin | USA Pickleball
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What is pickleball and how do you play it?
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It is played on a court similar to a doubles badminton court, with a net that is 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches high in the center. Players use paddles (larger than ping pong paddles but smaller than tennis racquets) to hit a plastic ball (similar to a wiffle ball) over the net. The game can be played as singles or doubles, and the scoring is similar to tennis, except that each game is played to 11 points and you have to win by two points. The basic rules of pickleball are that you have to serve underhand from behind the baseline, the ball has to bounce once on each side before you can volley it (hit it in the air), and you cannot volley the ball within the non-volley zone (also called the kitchen), which is a 7-foot area on both sides of the net.
What equipment do you need to play pickleball?
The main equipment you need to play pickleball is a paddle, a ball, and a net. Pickleball paddles vary in material, size, shape, weight, and grip. Pickleball balls are usually yellow or white, and they have holes in them to reduce wind resistance. Pickleball nets are similar to tennis nets, but they are lower and narrower.
Where can you play pickleball?
You can play pickleball on any court that has enough space and a net. You can use a tennis court, a badminton court, or even a basketball court. You can also find dedicated pickleball courts in many parks, recreation centers, schools, or clubs. You can use online platforms, such as Play Pickleball or USAPA Places 2 Play, to find pickleball locations near you. You can also use chalk or tape to mark the court lines on any flat surface.
Can I start practicing pickleball by myself?
Yes, you can practice pickleball by yourself using different methods and equipment. For example, you can:
– Hit the ball against a wall or a rebounder net to work on your paddle control, accuracy, and consistency.
– Use a pickleball machine or a ball hopper to practice your serve, return, volley, and other shots.
– Do solo drills to improve your footwork, balance, coordination, and reaction time.
Practicing pickleball by yourself can help you focus on your technique, correct your mistakes, and build your confidence.
Do I need a dedicated pickleball court?
No, you don’t need a dedicated pickleball court to play or practice pickleball. You can use any flat surface that has enough space and a net, such as a tennis court, a badminton court, or even a basketball court. You can also mark your own court lines using chalk or tape. Alternatively, you can use a portable pickleball net that you can set up anywhere. You can find pickleball courts near you using online platforms or local groups.
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Pickleball has many benefits for physical and mental health: Playing pickleball can help you improve your cardiovascular fitness, agility, coordination, balance, and strength. It can also enhance your brain skills, such as concentration, memory, decision making, and problem solving. Moreover, pickleball can boost your mood, self-esteem, confidence, and happiness. It can also reduce your stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Playing pickleball can also help you make new friends and connections with people who share your interest.
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| Skills | Agility, Communication, Concentration, Hand-eye Coordination, Motor Coordination, Physical Endurance, Physical Fitness |