Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It is played both indoors and outdoors on a court similar to a badminton court with a slightly modified tennis net. Players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a perforated polymer ball, similar to a wiffle ball, over the net.
The game can be played in singles or doubles format and has simple rules, making it accessible to people of all ages and skill levels. The objective is to score points by successfully hitting the ball over the net and landing it within the boundaries of the opposing side's court without the opponents returning it.
Key aspects of pickleball include:
Pickleball is known for its social and inclusive nature, making it popular in community centers, schools, parks, and retirement communities.
The game can be played in singles or doubles format and has simple rules, making it accessible to people of all ages and skill levels. The objective is to score points by successfully hitting the ball over the net and landing it within the boundaries of the opposing side's court without the opponents returning it.
Key aspects of pickleball include:
- Court: The court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long for both singles and doubles matches. The net height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle.
- Serve: The game starts with an underhand serve, which must be made diagonally crosscourt and land within the confines of the opposite diagonal court.
- Scoring: Only the serving team can score points. Games are typically played to 11 points, and a team must win by at least 2 points.
- Double Bounce Rule: After the serve, each side must let the ball bounce once before volleys are allowed, which promotes longer rallies.
- Non-Volley Zone: Also known as the "kitchen," this is a 7-foot area on either side of the net where volleying is not allowed. This prevents spiking and encourages more strategic play.
Pickleball is known for its social and inclusive nature, making it popular in community centers, schools, parks, and retirement communities.