If you want to quickly start with pickleball, this is your perfect guide on how to play pickleball. Pickleball is a combination of tennis, table tennis and badminton. It is an indoor as well as an outdoor game. The indoor version is played on a court approximately one-third the size of a tennis court (the same dimensions as a badminton court) with a 34-inch net from top to middle. Pickleball is played with a Paddle (think a large ping pong bat) and a punched ball somewhat similar (but not really) to a Wiffle Ball.
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How To Play Pickleball?
There is a growing popularity of Pickleball across the nation, and it is becoming one of the most sought-after sports activities in the nation.
The demand for Pickleball has soared, which is why many parks and recreation departments have added it to their sports programming. To answer the question “How To Play Pickleball”, let’s explore where Pickleball originated and what its basics are!
Despite It’s somewhat silly name, Pickleball has become extremely popular among amateurs and professionals. There are many advantages to playing Pickleball, including its high-energy nature and the fact that it is a game for players of all levels.
The game is played with a paddle on a net-enclosed court. A pickleball game can be played with badminton, tennis, and ping-pong pieces. It’s easy to learn, you can play in doubles or singles, and you don’t need expensive equipment.
If you’re new to pickleball or want a refresher on the basics, visit our page on Simple Pickleball Rules. This page breaks down the rules of the game in a way that is easy to understand and follow.
Starting To Play Pickleball Game
The courts are approximately 20′ x 44′, similar to badminton. Pickleball is played diagonally, with the ball being served at the correct service square. Points are earned only by the team that does. The first service must be delivered underhand. In order for the ball to reach the opposing team, it must bounce before returning to the server.
When the ball is volleyed, it bounces twice on one side of the court before going back and forth between the two teams, known as the two-bounce rule, and that is known as the three-hit rule. If the ball has been volleyed twice on one side of the court, the other team will capture the point.
It is a type of volleyball match where players must let the ball bounce once before volleying it. During the game, seven-foot no-volley zones are on both sides of the net to prevent spikes. The server alternates service courts until a player’s fault. The first side scores eleven points and leads by at least two wins.
It is common to play pickleball games to 11 points. However, tournament games can be played to 15 or 21 points. There must be a two-point difference between a tie and the winning team. A server should announce the score each time a service is played to inform everyone on the court. A server should call out the score loudly before serving the Pickleball. A pickleball only touches the paddle. If the pickleball contacts any body part or clothing item, a fault is committed, and the rally is forfeited.
What about the required Gear and Equipment to Play PickleBall?
Let’s discuss the utmost required pickleball gear and equipment first.
Pickleball Shoes & Dress
In Pickleball, players typically wear tennis or badminton apparel. The only difference is in shoes, where you need to take into consideration the surface as well as the pickleball requirements. Since you have to cover less space on the court, you can move relatively quickly. Meanwhile, you must be proactive and fast, which means wearing lightweight, comfortable, and responsive shoes.
Pickleball Paddles
Since the introduction of new manufacturing technologies and dynamic production techniques, the popularity of pickleball paddles and the companies that manufacture them have increased tenfold over the past couple of decades. These factors have led to an expansion of the market as well.
Pickleball Court
Many pickleball courts are available throughout the country, depending on your preference. With the same court being used for both singles and doubles action, the center net measures 34 inches tall, while the sidelines measure 36 inches.
If you’re new to pickleball, it’s important to understand the dimensions of the court you’ll be playing on. The pickleball court measurements are similar to those of a doubles badminton court, but with a few key differences. The court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, with a center net that is 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches high in the center.
Net
There should be a steel net at the center that is about 30″ (76 centimetres) in diameter and a steel net at the sides that is about 35″ (84.2 cm) in diameter. This is very similar to the net on a tennis court. It should be higher at the borders and lower at the centres.
Pickleball Lingo, You Should Know
- Dillball: During a rally, a “live” ball is one that has bounced once inbounds during its trajectory.
- Dink: A hit that lands just over the net in your opponent’s kitchen.
- Kitchen: The area around the net that is not used for a volley zone.
- Pickled: When one team scores zero points in a game, they’ve been “pickled.”
- Volley llama: When a player hits a volley shot from outside the volley zone, it is illegal.
The Scoring And Faulting System
Score
Every single game begins with a service. All players (two in singles, four in doubles) stand at the baseline in a diagonal line. The player serving needs to serve diagonally (from the correct service zone to the left and vice versa).
The point can be awarded just to the serving side. If the serving player loses the exchange, the opponent will serve. The game continues until one side does not score 11 points (or 15 or 21 points, depending on the tournament). In the case of a 10:10 score, the game continues until one team is ahead by two points.
A game played on 11 points generally consists of three games. This means a change of sides takes place after the first 6 points for players playing to 11 points, 8 points for players playing to 15 points, and 11 points for players playing to 21 points.
More Info : Common Pickleball Injuries
Faults
Faults can result in the loss of exchange. Faults include:
- Diagonal servicing was not performed
- Playing within the net and not beyond it
- The ball is struck when it is outside the court’s boundaries
- Volley is played with the feet inside the “non-volley zone.”
- Leaving the ball on the net before its second bounce
- In the case of receiving service, when you play volley
- A volley played on the first return by the serving side
Conclusion
This is the most comprehensive guide to Pickleball. The article explains how to play Pickleball, where to find courts, hit the ball, and score. It includes all the information you need to learn about Pickleball in an easy-to-understand manner. If you are new to Pickleball, there’s nothing to fear. You can pick up a paddle and start playing in only five minutes. Tennis or any other sports experience is not required to play Pickleball.
