If you’re looking for a game that the whole family could play and is easy to learn, then Pickleball is the game for you! It’s a fun recreational sport that combines facets of three classic games: tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Perfect for family games night or as an activity during your next party, Pickleball can be played with doubles or singles, by all ages, from beginners to advanced. Although it’s beginner-friendly, the game can be a competitive sport, too!
Don’t know anything about Pickleball? You’re in the right place! In this article, we’re going to talk about all the basics you need to know about Pickleball.
How to Play
Players on each side use pickleball paddles to hit a ball back and forth over a net until he or she faults, or until a team or player is not able to return the ball over the net and into the opponent’s side of the court. Players must not step over the non-volley zone line. The game usually lasts for about 15 to 25 minutes.
Equipment
The game makes use of pickleball paddles, a wiffle ball, and a net.
Court
Pickleball can be played indoors or outdoors on a 20x40 feet court (similar to a doubles badminton court). It has a 7 feet non-volley zone (also known as “the Kitchen”) on either side, with 36” net height at the sideline and 34” net height at the center.
Scoring
The team that wins eleven points first and leads by at least 2 points wins. The game can also be played up to 15 or 21 points.
Basic Rules of Pickleball
Serving Basics
When it comes to serving pickleball, it must be done at the baseline and underhand (or with the paddle below the navel). It must be served diagonally- in an upward motion- across the net and land beyond the other team’s non-volley zone (the Kitchen), including the line. There can only be one serve attempt (except when the ball touches the net on the serve and lands on the proper service court) and team players will have the chance to serve and score points. After that, they will hand over the serve to the opponents.
Trivia: In 2021, a new rule now allows for players to drop the ball and hit the serve after the bounce. This is called a “drop serve.”
Volley
This involves hitting the ball out of the air or without allowing it to bounce on the ground first. Players are not allowed to volley within the non-volley zone.
Double Bounce Rule
The Double Bounce or the “Two Bounce” Rule states that when the receiving team returns the served ball, they must allow it to bounce once before returning. In the same way, the serving team must also allow the ball to bounce before returning it to the receiving team. After the two bounces in each team’s court, both teams may hit the ball off the bounce or out of the air.
Faults
A fault is an act of committing a rule violation. A few examples of faults are the following:
- The ball is hit out of bounds.
- The ball is hit on air without allowing it to bounce at least once on your side.
- The ball is served and lands within the non-volley zone.
- The ball is hit and lands in the net.
Pickleball is a social sport that can help you break away from your usual routine. It helps improve your mood and encourages you to interact and make friends, too! Now that you know the basics of Pickleball, have fun and enjoy playing with your family and friends!
