Everything you need to play pickleball

Bre Richey, BestReviews Staff

1 year ago

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It’s easy to underestimate an activity with the name pickleball. However, as the fastest-growing sport in the United States, pickleball is more than a sport with a funny name. It was once an activity played mainly in retirement communities, but people of all ages are developing a love for pickleball. It’s also an excellent, low-impact exercise for people of all fitness levels.

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What is pickleball?

Many think pickleball is a combination of a few other activities, including tennis, Ping-Pong, and badminton. For instance, pickleball is played on a court similar in size to badminton with paddles slightly larger than Ping-Pong paddles. When played, however, pickleball looks like tennis since you hit the ball back and forth over a somewhat shorter tennis net. However, it’s played with a plastic Wiffle ball with holes, which doesn’t bounce as much as tennis balls.

Pickleball origins

Pickleball was invented by three men, Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum, who were searching for a cure to their boredom. They grabbed a few pieces of equipment from their shed, including a perforated ball and table tennis paddles, and headed out to their badminton court. After plenty of trial and error, pickleball was created.

How to play pickleball

Pickleball is a recognized sport, which means it has official rules. They’re determined by the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) and the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP).

Basic pickleball rules

Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles. While the rules are generally the same, there are a few changes from singles to doubles.
A pickleball court measures at least 30 by 60 feet. You can play it indoors or outdoors on a hard surface.

Pickleball serving

You always use an underhand serve.
Service contact on the ball must be made below the waist.
Both the serve and return serve have to bounce before hitting the ball.
The serve starts on the right-hand side.
The server switches sides when they win a point. No players switch sides if the receiving side wins the rally.
The server keeps serving until they lose the rally. If they lose, the opposite side gets to serve.
The server has to keep one foot behind the back line when serving.
The serve must be hit diagonally and must clear the no-volley zone.

Pickleball scoring

Only the serving side can score a point.
A game of pickleball is played to 11 points, and a team must win by 2 points. Tournaments may play to a higher score.
If the ball touches the line, it is considered in. However, if the ball hits the line in the non-volley zone, it is out.
In a singles game, the scoring is called as two numbers. The first number refers to the servers’ score, and the second number is the receiver’s score.
In a doubles game, the scoring is called as three numbers. The first number is the serving team’s score, the second number is the receiving team’s score, and the third number refers to the serve number.

Pickleball faults

Faults are moves that cause the loss of a point. A fault is committed when:

The ball hits the net.
The ball is hit out of bounds.
The ball is volleyed while in the no-volley zone.
The ball is volleyed before a bounce on the first serve and first return.
The ball hits a player.

Pickleball non-volley zone

No volleys are allowed in the non-volley zone.
The non-volley zone is the area extending seven feet past the net on both sides for a total non-volley zone of 14 feet. The non-volley zone is referred to as the Kitchen.
A player can be in the non-volley zone, as long as they are not volleying a ball.

Equipment to play pickleball

To properly play pickleball, you will need a court, net, pickleball paddle, a pickleball and appropriate apparel.

Best pickleball paddles

If you plan to play in official pickleball games or tournaments, you need a USAPA-approved paddle. However, beginners and casual pickleball players don’t need a regulation-sized paddle. Choose one that’s most comfortable.

Onix Z5 Graphite Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddle

With a paper honeycomb core, graphite face, and widebody shape, this paddle has superior ball control. Also, the handle mimics the shape of a tennis racket, giving tennis players a smooth and familiar transition into pickleball.

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What is pickleball?

Pickleball origins

How to play pickleball

Basic pickleball rules

Pickleball serving

Pickleball scoring

Pickleball faults

Pickleball non-volley zone

Equipment to play pickleball

Best pickleball paddles

Best pickleballs

Best pickleball nets

Best pickleball shoes

Best pickleball bags

Best pickleball sets