Pickleball: A comprehensive beginner’s guide

Ever wondered what is the big deal and questioned your knowledge when others are discussing pickleball? Well, you’re not the only one to feel this way. The world is rapidly getting familiar with this sport and they seem to be enjoying it. In this blog, you will get to know about pickleball’s history and foundation, and reasons as to why it should be your ideal game.

Pickleball: What is it? 

It is a paddle sport that resembles and adapts aspects of table tennis, badminton, and tennis. It looks like tennis on a smaller level as the Pickleball court is about one-third the size of a tennis court. Players use their paddles to hit the plastic perforated ball, or a ball with holes, over the net that is in the middle of the court. The game is played in two versions; singles and doubles.

How did it come into being?

Pickleball’s history dates back to 1965. It was created by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum; the three fathers of Pickleball. They found it as a fun entertainment during their free time for their family. In the beginning, they simply used a badminton court to play it. They worked with whatever they had available like a lower badminton net and table tennis paddle. However, after that, it transformed quickly into a proper sport. Its first court was constructed in 1967. From a mere backyard pastime to a competitive sport known worldwide, it has had an impressive journey.

Basic PIckleball rules for beginners

Are you new to this sport and are willing to learn to play it? We’ve got you covered with the following few basic rules that you’ll need to learn;

1. Court dimensions: Lengthwise, Pickleball courts are usually 44 feet long. In terms of width, they are 20 feet wide, forming a proper rectangular court. These come with a net height of 34 inches in the middle and 36 inches at the ends.
2. Serving rules: The serve is delivered crosscourt, diagonally across the court. It is served with an upward arc of the arm and underhanded. The server stands behind the baseline and hits the ball from below the waist length. The ball must travel diagonally to the other side of the court. It must not land in the Kitchen or the non-volley zone; otherwise, it is considered a fault.
3. Scoring: The game involved a rally scoring system. This means that points can only be gained by the serving team or player. Once they commit a fault, they lose the rally and the opposition gets to serve. Games are usually played till eleven points. However, it is a must for a team to win by at least two points.
4. Kitchen: The newest concept to the game is that of Kitchen or the non-volley zone. Players are prohibited from hitting the ball in this area during a serve. They are also not allowed to hit a volley while in this zone. Otherwise, it is considered a fault.
5. Faults: Faults are committed when a player fails to follow the rules of the game. Whenever a team or player commits a fault, a score is usually gained by the opposing team or opponent.

Pickleball 101: An Introduction

You may find the Pickleball rulebook complicated at first, but once you begin, you get the hang of it soon. To every new pickleball player, the following bits of advice may come in handy.

1. Use of the Right Tools: A paddle, a ball, and good sports footwear are the must-haves to play pickleball. Different materials are used to make pickleball paddles. These may include composite or wood. Balls are usually made up of plastic. These are designed to be perforated to fight win resistance.
2. Practice and master basic shots: Learn how to serve, how to play forehand or backhand, and a dink. A dink is a softly hit shot that lands right ahead of the net. It, strategically, can win you points.
3. Footwork is essential: Quick and wise movement around the court is the key. You should always be mentally and physically ready to move in any direction required.
4. Doubles: Practicing the doubles game might help understand the game better. It also brings more enjoyment and socialization to the game.
5. pickleball clubs: The world now has clubs dedicated to practicing and mastering the game of pickleball. Surprised? perhaps. But these clubs are a great way to connect with people who have the same interests. You can learn a lot by joining these clubs.

The Advantages of Pickleball 

Pickleball comes with its own set of advantages. It is a major reason for its worldwide popularity these days. These advantages include,

1. Promote Fitness: Pickleball is a sport with multiple physical advantages. It serves as an aerobic exercise, which is considered helpful in hand-eye coordination. It is also a perfect fit for aged citizens or people with other health problems as it requires much less force on the joints than tennis.
2. Promoting Socialization: Sports like these typically serve as a great medium of communication. Especially when played in doubles or during friendly competitions, they are a great source to meet new people.
3. An affordable game: The sport is generally less costly. From the equipment necessary to the court access, everything is reasonably priced.
4. More accessible: Compared to other similar games like tennis and badminton, pickleball is played on a smaller, less intimidating level. Which is why it is more accessible to attract more players and entertain all skill levels.

How is pickleball different from tennis? 

Pickleball may resemble tennis a lot, but there are some key differences that you must know;

– Pickleball is different in terms of court size. It is played on a much smaller court compared to tennis.

– Their tools may seem similar but while tennis is played with a racket and a rubber ball, pickleball is played with a paddle and a perforated plastic ball.

– Scoring in the two sports is also different; tennis is played in sets while pickleball is played till 11 points usually and matches are won with a margin of 2 points

– Gameplay differs in terms of strategies. Tennis requires force or speed, pickleball is a game of more flexible techniques like dinks and volleys.

To conclude

All these games, tennis, pickleball, and badminton, are similar in the sense that they are a great medium of communication and increase a person’s social life. While others have been widely known for a long time, pickleball is gaining popularity rapidly and is joining the leagues of such sports as tennis. It is a sport that attracts all ages and genders. So what’s stopping you from picking up your paddle and running to the court? You know the basics now, practice along and you’ll master the game in no time!