There are a ton of amazing sports out there but if you’re looking for a great paddle ball game that will keep your heart rate up, you will definitely want to think about playing pickleball. This game is incredibly fun and it’ll keep you entertained from start to finish whether you are a novice or a pro player. If you get good enough you can even join pickleball tournaments and become engaged in the ever-growing pickleball community. Whether you are looking for a fun new hobby sport, or want to go pro, pickleball is a fun game that almost everyone that plays it enjoys. So, what exactly is pickleball and how can you get started playing? You’ll be able to find out everything you need to know about the game of pickleball in the quick and informative guide below.
What Is Pickleball?
Pickleball is a popular paddle sport which was created by former State Representative Joel Pritchard in 1965. The game was created by accident when Mr. Pritchard and his friends wanted to play badminton but did not have all of the equipment needed to play. They pieced together equipment from other games and used hand made wooden paddles and the game of Pickleball was born. The rules of the game are very simple and are explained in more detail below. Overall the game is fun for all age groups and skill levels, and it won’t take long for a newbie to pick it up and begin playing right away. In fact, if you’ve ever played tennis or badminton, there is a good chance that you’ll understand pickleball within a matter of minutes. It is possible to play in various group sizes including two player singles games or four player doubles games making a great paddle sport that everyone can enjoy.
Pickleball Courts
When playing pickleball, you will be on a court, which is very similar to a doubles badminton court. The court will measure in at 20’ feet by 44’ feet for both singles and doubles. The net should be positioned at 36” inches on the ends and 34” at the center. There is also 7′ foot no volley zone which prevents players from spiking the ball. If you are searching for a local pickleball court to play at then you can find courts in your area quickly and easily using Places2play.org which is managed by the USAPA. If there are not any pickleball courts near you then you can also purchase a pickleball net set and build your own pickleball court yourself.
Pickleball Equipment
In order to play pickleball, you’re going to need the right equipment. The good news is that you will not need very much equipment in order to play. First, find a pickleball court in your area, or buy a pickleball set and build your own indoor or outdoor court. Once you have a place to play then all you need are pickleball paddles and balls. There are many different types of pickleball paddles to choose from these days from inexpensive wooden paddles to high-end polymer and Nomex core paddles from a wide range of brands and manufacturers. The face of the pickleball paddles are also made from different materials such as carbon or graphite depending on the paddle you choose. Each type of pickleball paddle offers its own unique play, level of ball control, and sweet spot and so you may want to shop around to find the best pickleball paddle for you. Unless you’re playing professionally, you can pretty much wear whatever attire you wish when you play. There are no restrictions but clothing and shoes similar to tennis apparel is prefered by most players. You can also find clothing and shoes made specifically for pickleball players. You can visit the PickleballPaddleShop.com to find all of the pickleball equipment that you will need to play pickleball including pickleball paddles, balls, nets, and complete pickleball sets.
The Rules of Pickleball
Ready to Play? Now, you need to learn about the rules. The truth of the matter is that pickleball is pretty simple to learn. Playing in doubles tends to be the most common but the rules remain the same for both doubles and singles. To start the match the server that is in the right-handed service square serves the ball into the diagonal court across the net. All serves must be made in an underhanded fashion. It is also important to ensure that the paddle makes contact with the ball when it is below the server’s waist. After the serve, the play begins and the ball must bounce once on the court before volleying. A point is awarded when the serving side wins a volley. The first player, or team, to score 11 points, leading by at least 2 points, wins the game. Additional details about pickleball rules, court dimension, and other helpful tips can be found here. Now that you know all about Pickleball, go find a court and give the this amazingly fun paddle game a try today!
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