What is Pickleball?
Pickleball is currently considered the world’s fastest growing sport, after a resurgence during the 2020 pandemic. The sport was originally invented in 1965 as a backyard game for children, but the diversity and inclusivity of the sport has made it popular amongst all ages and demographics.
The sport resembles somewhat of a mix between tennis, table tennis and badminton, and can be played outdoors or indoors. The recent surge in numbers has seen several high end celebrities and sporting icons recently invest in the sport, and as it continues to grow globally, we continue to see growth here in Australia.
Keen to get started? Find out more about the basic rules and some locations to test out your game below!
Getting started
The Court: A pickleball court is about one-third the size of a tennis court, measuring around 6 meters by 12 meters for doubles and 6 meters by 6 meters for singles. The court is divided into various sections, including the “no-volley” zone affectionately known as “the kitchen.”
Equipment: Players use solid paddles that look like oversized table tennis bats to hit a lightweight plastic ball over the net. The ball has cleverly designed holes to control its flight and speed.
Scoring: In pickleball, we often use the rally scoring system, meaning that points can be scored by both the serving and receiving teams. Games are commonly played to 11 points, with a winning margin of at least two points.
Game on
Serving: A game starts with an underhand serve, aimed diagonally across the net. The serve must land within the opposite service court. The serving team has the chance to score points and stay in control of the serve.
Volleying: Volleying, which means hitting the ball in the air without letting it bounce, is allowed but is a bit tricky near the net (within the kitchen area).
Kitchen Rules: The kitchen, our special name for the non-volley zone, is the area close to the net. Players aren’t allowed to volley or hit the ball there unless it takes a quick bounce first.
Doubles and Singles: In pickleball, we can play either doubles (two players per team) or singles (one player per team).