Have your friends been going on and on about something called pickleball?

Are you suddenly finding that you can’t escape this popular sport?

Everywhere you turn, there’s another mention of pickleball. It’s wormed its way into ads, shows, and stand-up routines! Clearly, something is happening with this “pickleball” thing.

Well, first of all, slow down! You’re probably experiencing the Baader-Meinhof principle — also known as the “frequency illusion.” More precisely, having learned of this sport’s existence, you’re primed to see it more often. So, no, those pickleball-themed Consumer Cellular ads are not the sign of an impending badminton-esque sports takeover!

And now that we’ve cleared that up…

Let’s dig into the wonderful world of America’s fastest-growing sport!

Keep reading to learn more about this game and how it’s played.

Where Did Pickleball Come From?

One of the top “complaints” we hear about pickleball is that it “came out of nowhere.” You’ll see many articles, blog posts, and newspaper think pieces suggesting that the game “popped up overnight.” And it’s not an entirely dishonest claim, either; pickleball’s popularity is exploding! We’re seeing thousands flock to the pickle boat every year.

However, everything has an origin. So, let’s start with a history lesson.

Did You Know Pickleball Is Over 60 Years Old?

Pickleball was invented in 1965. (Yes, this sport is eligible for senior discounts at Waffle House!)

But why? And by whom?

The story begins at the Bainbridge Island, Washington, summer home of Joel Pritchard. Now, Mr. Pritchard was a busy man. In addition to running his own business, he was also a member of the Washington House of Delegates. However, he was also a loving father, and — in 1965 — he and his friend, Bill Bell, needed a way to entertain their children.

Unfortunately, they were low on supplies. They had little more than a badminton court, a perforated plastic ball, and some ping-pong paddles. Fortunately, these elements combined to form the earliest iteration of a sport called “pickleball.”

The first game was a resounding success. Soon, Bell and Pritchard were developing an entire rulebook! They also made a few changes to the sport. One of the first overhauls was the net, which was lowered to be 36 inches (0.9 meters) high at either end. (Allegedly, this figure matches Pritchard’s waist height.) After finding the ping-pong paddles too small for the game, the duo enlisted a neighbor, Barney McCallum, to machine custom-made paddles. And even later, they would replace the old-fashioned wiffle ball with a purpose-made pickleball.

By 1968, as Pritchard entered his first year as a senator, pickleball had spread to eager snowbirds. Ever the businessman, Pritchard joined forces with David McCallum — son of Barney McCallum — to create Pickle Ball, Inc., which manufactured and sold pickleball game kits. (Remarkably, Pickle Ball, Inc. still exists, though it was acquired by PickleballCentral in 2016.)

The Pickleball Timeline

The foundation of Pickle Ball, Inc. helped the sport’s growth. Eager southbound snowbirds took their kits from Washington and introduced the game to friends in Arizona, California, Florida, and Hawaii. And the sport’s rise to fame continued.

Unfortunately, we don’t have all day to chat about the history of pickleball. So, we’ll leave you with this quick-and-easy timeline:

• Summer 1965: In Bainbridge Island, Washington, Joel Pritchard and Bill Bell create pickleball to distract their kids. Soon thereafter, a neighbor, Barney McCallum, is commissioned to create the first pickleball paddles.
• 1968: Joel Pritchard joins David McCallum, Barney’s son, to found Pickle Ball, Inc. The business’ kits encourage the sport’s spread, particularly to warm southern states.
• Summer 1976: Joel Pritchard hosts the first pickleball tournament in Tukwila, Washington.
• 1984: The United States Amateur Pickleball Association is formed. The first official rulebook is published.
• 2005: The United States Amateur Pickleball Association renames itself the “USA Pickleball Association.”
• 2010: Members of the USAPA form the International Federation of Pickleball, intent on spreading the game to the world. The IFP will later rebrand itself as the International Pickleball Federation.
• 2018: The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) is founded. The organization is well-known for its namesake PPA Pickleball Tournament.
• 2020: The global COVID pandemic causes mass cancelations of sporting events. The popularity of pickleball, with its social-distancing-friendly setup, booms!

What Is Pickleball?

Great! We know where pickleball started.

But we still don’t know what it is. So, what is pickleball? How do you play this thing, this odd sport called “pickleball?”

At its core, pickleball is a social sport that combines elements of badminton, ping-pong, and tennis. It’s a game that relies on familiarity — especially among existing racket sports players — and builds upon the basics. For example, the quartered court lines are reminiscent of badminton and tennis. However, the plastic ball and leisurely pace are closer to casual ping-pong games.

What to Know Before You Play Pickleball

The easy-to-learn rules of pickleball have endeared it to many, but there are still things you must know before jumping onto the court! More precisely, you should understand that…

• It’s a social sport. Even a professional pickleball game requires good sportsmanship. This isn’t a football field. You must respect other players and show grace. In fact, many pickleball courts encourage “open play,” wherein players rotate through different partners. Think of it as a balance between tennis and ping-pong. It’s got the casual vibes of a ping-pong game and the competitive edge of a tennis match.
• It’s the next “big thing” in sports. Pickleball’s popularity is growing. We’ve said it many times, and we’ll keep saying it! Pickleball’s popularity is skyrocketing, so be ready to wait for games.
• Pickleball uses side-out scoring. This means the receiving team’s score does not increase. Only the serving team gains points.
• The court is small. Some new players are surprised by the size of a pickleball court. They’re not big! This means cities can pack more courts into a small amount of space, maximizing everyone’s pickleball opportunities.
• You can play alone or with friends! While doubles games are more popular, you can play 1-on-1 singles matches, too!

What You Need Before You Play Pickleball

You’ll also need some supplies. Like any sport, pickleball requires some prep work. Physically, you should work on your hand-eye coordination and balance. However, you’ll also need to buy (or find) some equipment, namely:

• Bags: A pickleball bag isn’t essential, but it keeps your supplies safe!
• Balls: Unlike a tennis ball, a pickleball is a hollow plastic ball. Its surface is dotted with evenly spaced holes, which aid its flight across the court.
• Paddles: One pickleball paddle will do, but many regular players have a few. A classic pickleball paddle is square, but manufacturers offer a range of styles and variations.
• Shoes: The right pickleball shoes make a difference. Aside from increasing your safety, shoes can keep you in the game. Supportive shoes prevent poor posture and reduce joint strain.
• Stretches: Don’t forget to stretch before playing pickleball! There’s nothing worse than flubbing a shot because of a cramp!

If you’re unsure of whether or not you’re ready for the commitment, consider dropping by your local pickleball court. Other players are always happy to introduce newcomers to one of America’s fastest-growing sports. Just ask nicely! You can also rent supplies from many parks and clubs.

The Basics of a Pickleball Court

Once you’ve gathered your supplies, it’s time to hit the courts!

But what do they look like?

A pickleball court is divided into 6 sections. Each team has 2 service courts (left and right) and 1 non-volley zone (or “kitchen”). For reference, it looks like this:

A standard pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet deep (6.1×13.4 meters). That makes it about ¼ of an existing tennis court. Alternatively, pickleball courts can be compared to a doubles badminton court, which is roughly the same size.

Playing pickleball is much like playing scaled-up table tennis. Players hit the ball back and forth. Hitting the net or missing the ball is considered a fault. Furthermore, faults cause one of two outcomes: the offending team either loses their chance to score points or the server changes.

Does that sound confusing?

Don’t worry! We’ll break it down for you.

What Is a Service Court?

Each service court is 10 feet wide and 15 feet deep (3×4.6 meters).

In singles, each player is responsible for the entire court — including both service courts and the kitchen. However, in doubles, each player stays in their respective half of the pickleball court. However, the non-volley zone is shared.

Volleying is allowed within this zone after each team has hit the ball once.

What Is the Non-Volley Zone?

The non-volley zone stretches across the central width of the court. Also known as a “kitchen,” the non-volley zone measures 20 feet wide by 8 feet deep (2.4×6.1 meters). Thus, each side’s NVZ is 4 feet (2.1 meters) deep.

At the center of the kitchen is the net, which spans the entire width of the court. Per official pickleball rules, the net’s height must be 36 inches (1 meter) tall at either side and 34 inches (0.9 meters) tall at the center.

As its name implies, players cannot volley (hit the ball before it bounces at least once) within the non-volley zone.

What Is Pickleball and How Do You Play Pickleball?

Now, let’s look at the rules.

If you’ve ever played a racket sport, you already know the basics. A match is made of rallies, and a rally is a set of serves — specifically, at least one serve from each player. Games are generally played to 11, 15, or 21 points; winners are crowned upon obtaining a 2-point lead.

(As an aside, there are many resources to use as you begin your pickleball journey. One of the best is the USA Pickleball website, which hosts many guides and a downloadable rulebook!)

The Serving Team

Obviously, you need to serve to start the game!

All serves must land in the diagonally opposing service court. They must also clear the badminton net. If the ball contacts any part of the net — including the posts — it’s considered a fault. In a singles game, this means the serving team changes. However, in a doubles game, the ball passes to the team’s second server.

Upon scoring a point, the server moves to the opposite service court. Even scores (including 0) are served from the right; the left service court is reserved for odd scores.

There are exceptions to this, so be sure to study the proper service order before jumping into a game!

How to Play Pickleball

Once you’ve served the ball, pickleball works a lot like badminton or tennis. Players hit the ball back and forth throughout each rally, and a rally ends when a fault is committed. People play doubles more often than singles, although all major league pickleball organizations — including the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP, now the IPF) — recognize singles games.

A serving team’s score goes up when an opponent commits a fault. Aside from technical errors — such as dropping a ball onto the court during play — faults include:

• Failed Returns: The ball must land within the court’s boundaries. It cannot bounce more than twice (or 3 times for accessible pickleball games) before being returned.
• Hitting a Dead Ball: A “dead ball” happens whenever a line call is made. Attempting to return one of these — even if the ball bounced in the appropriate spot — is a fault.
• Improper Returns: Furthermore, the correct receiver must return the ball. Players in the left service courts should return balls within their playing area, and those in the right service courts should do the same.
• Improper Volleys: A “volley” occurs when a player hits the pickleball before it bounces on their side of the court. A ball bounce must occur once on each side before volleys are allowed, and volleys can never be performed in the aptly named non-volley zone.

Because of the aforementioned side-out scoring, faults committed by the serving team do not grant points to the opposing team. Instead, they prompt a server swap. However, a fault committed by the receiving team will raise the serving team’s score.

There are other rules, of course, but these are the basic “must-know“ points.

Why Is Pickleball So Popular?

We’ve answered the question.

“What is pickleball?” Now, we can confidently say it’s an experience unlike other racket sports! It’s a socially conscious way to connect with community members and bridge generational gaps. It combines elements of badminton, tennis, and ping-pong with ease, creating a unique sport that is played indoors and in parks around the world. It’s a welcoming community, open to all skill levels, and it’s popping up at old tennis courts near you!

But!

That brings us to our final question…

Why is pickleball so dang popular!? What’s leading the pickleball popularity boom?

Let’s start by setting aside the wholesome attitude of pickleball players. That’s an obvious draw! Instead, we’ll be focusing on the physical and competitive elements of the sport.

Everyone Can Play Pickleball

There’s an entire section in the USA Pickleball rulebook dedicated to adaptive pickleball, so we’re starting strong! However, literal accessibility is just one of pickleball’s many perks.

You may have noticed that pickleball is wildly popular in retirement communities. That’s because it’s a physically gentle sport. The small size of pickleball courts makes them perfect for quick and simple games, especially among older populations with limited stamina. (Compare the tiny footprint of a pickleball court to a tennis court; you’ll quickly see what we mean!) The no-volley zone further reduces the playable surface area, particularly in the opening moments of a rally.

Moreover, as the Fitness Industry Association has noted over the past few years, pickleball is easy on your joints! It’s a down-to-earth sport with no acrobatic requirements, reducing stress on your ankles, hips, and knees. Its lightweight equipment reduces shoulder and wrist strain.

Comparatively, individuals playing tennis place a great deal of wear and tear on their shoulders, knees, and hips. This is particularly noticeable during the sport’s serving motion, which requires a great deal of shoulder rotation. Pickleball’s drop serve is markedly gentler on your joints; it’s also easier to learn!

It’s Popping Up Everywhere

We didn’t even touch the literal accessibility of the sport!

The massive popularity boom has led to many new pickleball courts. These play areas are easy to find, with many replacing overgrown and under-utilized communal tennis courts. (The fact that 4 pickleball courts fit within one tennis court is an undeniable perk for local governments.) And — if it’s a rainy, snowy, or otherwise unpleasant day — you’ll find plenty of indoor pickleball courts to enjoy.

Pickleball’s stardom has also spread the sport to televisions around the world!

Big-name providers — namely, ABC and ESPN — now broadcast the Professional Pickleball Association’s annual tournament games. You can even catch news and televised bouts on the Tennis Channel! Many are also pushing for this delightful diversion to become an Olympic sport.

It’s also worth noting that plenty of professional tennis players have joined the pickle boat. Many were drawn in by the sport’s less aggressive nature. Others were tempted by big checks from major pickleball organizations. Donald Young, Noah Rubin, and Sam Querrey are just a few examples of players trading that tennis net for a pickleball paddle.

Summarily, it’s easy to find a competitive tennis player enjoying downtime with local pickleball players!

(There is, however, a bit of a rivalry between pickleball players and longtime supporters of those who play tennis. But that’s an entirely different story!)

It’s Easy to Learn

Finally, you may have noticed that it’s super easy to learn how to play pickleball. Once you’ve figured out the serving order and no-volley zone, you’re ready to go! All you need is a friend or two and a court — even doubles-sized badminton courts will do — and you’ve got yourself a verified pickleball game!

Are you ready to dominate the pickleball courts?

Join us! Pickle Goddesses has everything you need to understand and engage with the wonderful world of pickleball. We have something for everything, including pickleball veterans, and we’re more than happy to help you score those critical two points.

So, be sure to follow our blog for updates and news. And don’t forget to share our posts with your friends! Who knows? You might end up converting a few tennis players to America’s fastest-growing sport.