What Is Pickleball? A Guide for New Players
With 4.2 million players and a 34% growth rate, pickleball may be the fastest-growing sport in America that you’ve never heard of. Pickleball experts believe that this recent surge in popularity stems from the pandemic when parks and recreation departments saw an overwhelming desire for outdoor activities that are fun for all ages.
If all the buzz has got you wondering, “what is pickleball?” this beginner’s guide to pickleball is for you. Continue reading to learn more about the origins and rules of the sport that’s sweeping the nation.
What is Pickleball and Where Did It Come From?
If badminton, tennis, and ping pong had a baby, it would be pickleball. In fact, all three sports were in play at pickleball’s conception.
One sunny Saturday in 1965, a dad returned home from golf to find a bored and agitated preteen with the age-old complaint, “there is nothing to do.” In response, this particular dad set out to prove that you can make your own fun with the stuff you have on hand.
Together with his golf buddy, they found table tennis paddles, a wiffle ball, and a badminton court and used them to sketch out a fun, easy-to-learn game. And so, in an act of parental desperation, pickleball was invented.
Today, the game is still played with a hard paddle and a ball with holes on a court identical to a badminton doubles court and a low net. These aspects are also what make it easy for all ability levels; the holey ball goes slower than in other paddle ball sports, and the 36-inch high net makes it more accessible.
Now that you can answer, “what is pickleball?” it’s time to learn how to play.
How to Play Pickleball
Even if you’re new to pickleball, you may already be familiar with pickleball rules since it takes its inspiration from other well-known sports. However, even if you’ve never set foot on a badminton or tennis court before, playing pickleball is easy to learn.
Similar to tennis, the server starts in the right corner, behind the line. However, the side you serve from alternates with the score. If the server’s score is odd, you serve from the left and then on the right side when the score is even again.
Also, players must hold the paddle at waist level and serve underhanded and diagonally. Each serve has to clear the non-volley zone, which is near the net and includes the lines.
To score, your ball must land on or within the lines of the receiver’s court.
Learning the rules will teach you how to play, but having solid pickleball strategies will ensure you win. One such tactic is if you’re playing against a righty, aim for their left foot, and vice versa for left-handed players.
Where to Play
Answering “what is pickleball?” has probably got you in the mood to play.
Now, the next step is finding a court. You’re in luck because there are over twenty thousand pickleball courts in the country. You can visit the USA Pickleball Association’s “Places to Play” page to find courts near you.
While the sport’s popularity ensures a court near every interested player, you may find yourself with no convenient options. In this case, you should participate in public forums to inform your elected officials of the community’s interest.
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