Pickleball

Pickleball is a fun, easy-to-learn, and social sport that is perfect for people of all ages and skill levels. If you are looking for a new activity to try.

Pickleball Popularity on The Rise

Is Pickleball the Next Big Thing in Sports? Discover the rise of this exciting, inclusive game that's capturing hearts and lighting up courts everywhere.

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. Players use solid-faced paddles to hit a perforated polymer ball over a badminton-sized net. Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles on a badminton-sized court.

History

Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities. The game was named after Pritchard's dog, Pickles, who would chase after the ball.

Pickleball quickly gained popularity in the United States and Canada, and it is now played all over the world. There are over 4.8 million pickleball players in the United States alone.

Equipment

Pickleball is a relatively inexpensive sport to play. All you need is a paddle, a ball, and a court. Paddles are made of wood, fiberglass, or graphite and range in price from $20 to $200. Balls are made of plastic and cost around $5. Courts can be found at public parks, recreation centers, and private clubs.

Gameplay

Pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court with a net that is 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches high in the middle. The court is striped similar to a tennis court with right and left service courts and a 7-foot non-volley zone (or the "kitchen") in front of the net.

The game is played to 11 points, and the first team to win two games by two points wins the match. Serving is done from behind the baseline, and the ball must bounce once before it can be returned. Players can score points by hitting the ball over the net and into their opponent's court.

Benefits of Pickleball

Pickleball is a great sport for people of all ages and skill levels. It is a low-impact sport, so it is easy on the joints. Pickleball is also a very social sport, so it is a great way to meet new people and make friends.

How to Get Started

If you are interested in learning how to play pickleball, there are a number of resources available. You can find pickleball classes at local recreation centers and tennis clubs. There are also many pickleball tournaments and leagues held throughout the year.

Additional Information

The United States Pickleball Association (USPA) is the official governing body for pickleball in the United States. The USPA website has a wealth of information about pickleball, including rules, court locations, and tournaments.
The International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) is the international governing body for pickleball. The IFP website has information about pickleball around the world, including rules, court locations, and tournaments.