Pickleball 101 - Seven Things You Need To Know About This Popular Game

It’s one of the fastest-growing sports around the world and no, it has nothing to do with pickles.

What is this curiously-named sport that has captured the attention, hearts and paddles of young and old, of competitive and casual players, and gained countless converts among racket game diehards? Say hello to pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports which is taking the world by storm, thanks to how easy it is to learn and how fun it is to play, no matter your skill level. Pickleball can be described as a combination of tennis, ping pong, and badminton, and is played on a small court with a low net. Here are the 7 things you need to know about pickleball - from the rules to the equipment used - so you can start playing today!

#1: Pickleball is played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes.

A pickleball paddle, usually made of wood, graphite, carbon fibre or hybrid materials, is used to hit the ball back and forth across the court. What you’ll be hitting is a ball usually made of plastic and riddled with holes, which is hard enough to provide a satisfying bounce when hit with the paddle. There are different paddles and balls for different playing levels, surfaces and environments, so pickleball is as sophisticated as they come!

#2: It’s played on a badminton-sized court with a lowered net.

A pickleball court is the same size as a badminton court, 20 feet (6.09m) x 44 feet (13.41m). There is a non-volley zone (called the “kitchen”) that runs 7 feet (2.13m) from the net on both sides. Players cannot hit the ball while it is in the air while standing inside the non-volley zone. A pickleball net is 36 inches (91.44cm) high at the ends and dips to 34 inches (86.36cm) high at the center of the court.

#3: There are a few rules to observe when playing pickleball.

First up, when serving, you have to serve diagonally, with the ball landing in the opponent's service box without touching the no-volley zone. The server’s arm must be moving in an upward arc when the ball is struck, and paddle contact with the ball must not be made above the waist level (ie. an underhand serve). There is only one try per server.

The double bounce rule is also one of the basic rules of pickleball. After the serve, the ball must bounce once on each side before players can hit it. After the first two bounces on each side, players can then choose to hit the ball in the air or use a ground stroke.

The non-volley zone, also known as the kitchen, is a critical part of the game. During the game, players are not allowed to volley the ball while in the zone.

#4: Score 11 points to win a game.

The first player or team to score 11 points with a two-point lead wins a game, and matches usually go up to three games. Only the serving team can score, and if there's a fault, the serve switches to the opposing side. If the score is tied, the game continues until one team scores two consecutive points and wins.

#5: Pickleball is quite different from tennis, though there are definitely similarities.

While pickleball is similar to tennis in some ways, they do have their distinctive differences. The court in pickleball is significantly smaller than a tennis court. The ball used in pickleball is plastic and has holes, while tennis balls are made of felt and have a higher bounce. In pickleball, the serve is underhand, unlike the overhand serve in tennis. Lastly, tennis requires more physical endurance than pickleball because the games are played over longer periods on a larger court.

#6: Former tennis stars have embraced pickleball.

The likes of John McEnroe, Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick, all tennis legends, have taken to playing pickleball, and even competed in the first Pickleball Slam in 2023 to an appreciative audience.

#7: The beauty of pickleball is that anyone can play it.

Pickleball is among the world’s fastest-growing sports for good reason. While it provides a satisfying rush for serious players with competitive streaks, it can also be enjoyed by beginners and those who want to take things a little slower. It’s great for kids, who find it easy to pick up the sport, and for older folks, who can play at their own pace. The positive impact on one’s physical health and the possibility of making friends over a social game of pickleball are also reasons it’s such a hot sport.