The Origins of Pickleball
In 1965, on Bainbridge Island in Washington, three neighbours named Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum invented what would later be called pickleball. Their aim was to create a fun activity for their restless children on a rainy day. They improvised a game using old Ping-Pong paddles and a perforated ball, setting it up on a badminton court.
Barney McCallum, who was the last surviving inventor of pickleball until he passed away in 2019 at 93, explained in a 2015 interview with the Pickleball Channel that the game quickly became more popular among adults.
What is Pickleball
Pickleball is a distinctive sport combining aspects of badminton, tennis, and ping pong, and it's growing in popularity due to its accessibility and unique characteristics. The game is played on a court with dimensions similar to a badminton doubles court, with a net that is slightly lower than a tennis net. Players use solid "paddles" and a hard, hollow plastic ball with holes.
The main differences between pickleball and tennis are particularly appealing to both children and the elderly. The most notable difference is the speed of the ball; a pickleball moves at about one-third the speed of a standard tennis ball. Additionally, the court is less than one-third the size of a tennis court. This smaller area, combined with the slower ball speed and underhand serves, makes pickleball more accessible and enjoyable, especially for those seeking a less intense sporting experience.
How to play
Court Dimensions:
Pickleball can be played indoors or outdoors on a rectangular court measuring 20 feet wide and 44 feet long for doubles, and 20 feet wide and 22 feet long for singles. There is a non-volley zone, called the "kitchen," extending 7 feet from the net on each side.
Net Height:
The net is set at a height of 36 inches (91 cm) at the sidelines and 34 inches (86 cm) at the center.
Scoring:
Pickleball uses a rally scoring system, enabling either the serving or receiving team to score points. A standard game ends when a team reaches 11 points, but a 2-point lead is required to win. In tournaments, matches often follow a best-of-three format, with each game aiming for 11 points to determine the winner.
Serving:
Serving in pickleball follows several essential rules. The serve must be executed underhand. The server stands behind the baseline and hits the ball diagonally to the opposite service box. Both feet must remain behind the baseline during the serve, and contact between the paddle and ball should occur below the waist. The ball must clear the net and land in the service box on the opposite diagonal. After each point, whether won by the serving or receiving side, the serving duties switch – if the serving team wins the point, they continue serving; if the receiving team wins, they take over serving.
Double Bounce Rule:
After the serve, a key rule in pickleball is that both teams must let the ball bounce once before hitting it. After these initial bounces, players can either volley the ball, hitting it while it's still in the air, or play it off the bounce. There is a specific area called the Non-Volley Zone, or "kitchen," extending 7 feet from the net on each side. Players in this zone cannot volley the ball, meaning they cannot hit it in the air. However, they may enter this zone to play a ball that has bounced, as long as both feet stay behind the Non-Volley Zone line during the hit. This rule adds a strategic layer to the game.
Faults:
Common mistakes include hitting the ball out of bounds, hitting the net with the ball or paddle, stepping into the non-volley zone and volleying the ball, and serving out of turn.
A team loses a point if they commit a fault.
Service Order:
In doubles pickleball, the first serve starts from the right-hand court, and then the partner serves from the left-hand court. In the receiving team, players alternate receiving the serve. This pattern of alternation in both serving and receiving ensures fair and equal participation for all players on the court.
Let Serve:
In pickleball, if a served ball touches the net but still lands in the correct service box, this is called a "let." There is no penalty, and the point is replayed. This rule accounts for the element of chance when the net is involved in the serve, ensuring fairness.
Rotation:
In doubles pickleball, there is a systematic rotation. After each side-out, which occurs when the serving team loses a point, players switch sides on the court. This ensures fair play and opportunities. The player on the right-hand side of the court becomes the first server in the new sequence. This rotation enhances the game's balance and competitiveness.
