PICKLEBALL
WHAT IS IT? HOW DO YOU PLAY IT? WHAT’S UP WITH SCORING?
Pickleball has become the fastest growing sport in the world. It is a fun sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It can be played both indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court, slightly modified tennis court, or a homemade size court. Pickleball is played with a paddle and a plastic wiffle ball. You can play singles or doubles but doubles is the preferred play. It is enjoyed by all ages and skill levels.
PICKLEBALL COURT LAYOUT
A pickleball court is the same size as a double’s badminton court and measures 20×44 feet. In pickleball, the same court is used for both singles and doubles play. The net height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle. The court is striped like a tennis court with right and left service courts and a 7-foot non-volley zone in front of the net (referred to as the “kitchen”). Courts can be constructed specifically for pickleball, or they can be converted using existing tennis or badminton courts.
BASICS RULES ON HOW TO PLAY
- You can only score points when you or your team serve.
- Server must hit serve underhand – below the waist.
- Serve must be hit diagonal or crosscourt behind the non-volley line and in the box.
- The serving team must let the next ball hit to them bounce before hitting.
- No players may volley in the no volley zone(kitchen). Volley is a ball hit out of the air.
- The only time you should be in the kitchen is to hit a ball that has bounced – then get out of there.
- Play games to 11.
PICKLEBALL SCORING
- Scoring in pickleball will consist of 3 numbers.
- Your score, opponents score, which server you are (Server #1 or Server #2).
- Players on the right service area will be server #1 and players on left service area will be server #2.
- For example: the score is 2 –4—1. We have 2 points, our opponents have 4 points, and I am server #1. If we lose the next point that I served—then my partner would serve next. The score would be 2—4—2. We have 2 points, our opponents still have 4 points (remember – you can only score points when you serve), and my partner is server #2.
ANYONE CAN PLAY
Many racket sports have a steep learning curve, even at the beginner level.
“In pickleball, you’re hitting a plastic wiffle ball, so it’s less bouncy and doesn’t fly as fast through the air. And the paddle is much easier to handle because it’s shorter and lighter than a tennis racket.” You also serve underhand in pickleball, and underhand serves are easier to hit and return. It is a great sport to spend with family and friends, be active, be social, and have fun. Hope to see you on the courts soon!
Mike Andrews
Mike Andrews is the new general manager and director of tennis for the Green Bay Tennis Center in De Pere, Wisconsin. He is a certified tennis and pickleball professional with the United States Tennis Professional Association (USPTA). If interested in more information about pickleball classes and social mixers, contact Mike at 920-347-3080 or mike@greenbaytenniscenter.com.
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated does not have any formal relationships or arrangements with the author. This blog should not be considered an endorsement of the products or services offered by this individual or his firm.