Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It is played on a court similar to a badminton court with a net that is slightly lower than a tennis net. Players use solid paddles to hit a perforated polymer ball, similar to a wiffle ball, over the net. The game can be played as singles (one player per side) or doubles (two players per side). Pickleball is known for its simplicity, making it accessible and enjoyable for players of all ages and skill levels.
Basic Rules of Pickleball
- Court Dimensions: The court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long for both singles and doubles play.
- Net Height: The net is 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches high in the middle.
- Serving: The serve must be underhand, with the paddle making contact below the waist. The serve is initiated with at least one foot behind the baseline and must be hit diagonally across the court.
- Double Bounce Rule: After the serve, each team must let the ball bounce once before volleys are allowed. This means the receiving team must let the serve bounce, and the serving team must let the return of serve bounce before playing the ball.
- Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen): The area within 7 feet on either side of the net is known as the non-volley zone or kitchen. Players cannot volley (hit the ball in the air) while standing in this zone.
- Scoring: Points can only be scored by the serving team. Games are typically played to 11 points, and a team must win by 2 points.
- Faults: A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation. Common faults include hitting the ball out of bounds, not clearing the net, volleying in the non-volley zone, or violating the double bounce rule.
Pickleball is a fast-growing paddle sport that merges aspects of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Played on a smaller court with a lower net, it uses solid paddles and a perforated plastic ball. The game is versatile, supporting both singles and doubles formats, and is characterized by its easy-to-learn nature, making it popular across various age groups. Key rules include serving underhand, adhering to the double bounce rule where both teams must let the ball bounce once before volleys, and respecting the non-volley zone near the net to prevent smashes. Points can only be scored by the serving team, and games are typically played to 11 points, requiring a 2-point lead to win. These simple yet strategic rules make pickleball a fun and engaging sport for both casual and competitive play.