What Is Pickleball?
A game for players ages 8 to 80+
Pickleball is a popular racquet sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It is played with a paddle and a plastic ball on a court that is similar in size to a badminton court.
Pickleball was invented in 1965 by three friends in Bainbridge Island, Washington, who were looking for a new game to play with their families. The game quickly grew in popularity, and today there are over 3 million players in the United States alone.
The game is played on a court that is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, with a net in the middle that is 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches high at the center. The game is typically played in doubles, but it can also be played in singles.
The game starts with a serve, which is underhand and must clear the net and land in the opponent's service court. The receiving team must let the ball bounce before returning it, and then the serving team must also let the ball bounce before returning it. After the ball has bounced on both sides, the ball can be returned without bouncing.
Points are scored when the opposing team fails to return the ball, hits the ball out of bounds, or commits a fault, such as stepping into the non-volley zone. The first team to reach 11 points, with a lead of at least two points, wins the game.
One of the unique aspects of pickleball is the non-volley zone, which is a 7-foot area on either side of the net where players are not allowed to hit the ball before it bounces. This area is also known as the "kitchen."
Pickleball is a great sport for all ages and skill levels, as it can be played at a slower pace for beginners or at a faster pace for more experienced players. It also provides a great workout, as it involves a lot of movement and quick reflexes.
Pickleball is a fun and exciting sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. With its growing popularity and accessibility, it is no wonder that more and more people are picking up a paddle and joining in on the fun.
In the early days of the game, the average age of players was around 70. As pickleball gained popularity, its appeal was noticed by younger generations. Their enthusiastic participation was responsible for dropping the average age to around 40, and it continues to drop. Most of the top players in the world are in their late teens to late twenties.
