Pickleball sounds like a funny game you’d think is played at college as a last-minute made-up game, but you would be surprised to learn that it is actually an officially regulated sport! Over the years, it has massively picked up in terms of popularity, so much that even the news has covered it! Please read all about its rise in this NBC News article linked here.
Now that we’ve established that this game is actually real, let’s dive into what it actually is and how the game is played.
What Is Pickleball
To play the game itself, each player, playing either in singles or doubles, on each side needs to let the whiffle ball bounce once before the volleys commence. There is a no-volley zone approximating 7 feet, on each side of the court net, in order to ensure there is no ‘spiking’ amidst the game.
With correct positioning (which will be focused upon in detail below) the server then proceeds to carry out the serve, with alternative service courts, until they have faulted. The first side that succeeds to score 11 points and lead by 2 points, will win the game.
A Run Down Of The Game
To play the game itself, each player, playing either in singles or doubles, on each side needs to let the whiffle ball bounce once before the volleys commence. There is a no-volley zone approximating 7 feet, on each side of the court net, in order to ensure there is no ‘spiking’ amidst the game.
With correct positioning (which will be focused upon in detail below) the server then proceeds to carry out the serve, with alternative service courts, until they have faulted. The first side that succeeds to score 11 points and lead by 2 points, will win the game.
The Pickleball Serve & The Volleys
Pickleball Serves are to be made diagonally, and that too underhand; starting with the right-hand service-square and alternating each serve. The serve must clear the non-volley seven-feet sized zone that lays in front of the net, and needs to land in via diagonal service in the court.
Pickleballs are to be served using the the paddle below the waist i.e. underhand and both the server’s feet are to be kept behind the line whilst serving the ball. The ball needs to be hit into the air, but the tricky part is to ensure the ball does not bounce.
The side that is to serve will then continue serving until a fault occurs on service, due to which the service will be given to the opposing side.
The Server needs to keep both their feet behind the back line when they are serving. The service is made underhand with the paddle contacting the ball below the waist. In accordance with rules of play, it is integral for the server to hit the Pickleball when it goes in the air, upon serving. The Server however, is not permitted to bounce the whiffle ball, causing it to hit off the bounce.
The service is additionally to be made diagonally cross court and needs to clear the non-volley zone, and the line. For the game’s commencement, only one attempt at serving is permitted, unless in the circumstance of the ball touching the net whilst serving, causing it to land in the service court, for which the player can take a second attempt at service.
At the commencement of each newly started session of Pickleball, the team player that is serving first is only allowed to have one fault before they have to give the game up to the opposing team.
Thereafter the players of both teams will serve as well as fault before the ball is turned over to the opposing team. When the recipient team wins at service, the player in the right hand court in accordance with the sport’s rules, has to start the game in every instance.
You must have heard the concept of volley in sport, and so you must be familiar with what it means, but we’ll run through its role in Pickleball anyway. Volleying in Pickleball essentially also refers to hitting the ball when it is in the air, eliminating the chance of letting it bounce before hitting.
In Pickleball however, this is only supposed to be done when the playing member’s feet are positioned according to the rules, that is, behind the non-volley line.
It is considered a foul if the player steps into the non-volley zone, crossing the line while serving.
Rules & Regulations
Despite the fact that Pickleball plays off on a court, the game’s rules resemble the rules of table tennis or even badminton more than that of traditionally played Tennis.
- The Pickleball team or game player can only score points when serving; this makes it different from the average table tennis or badminton based rules. A pickleball comprises 11 points to be played for, with a win being classified by 2 points.
- The sport is initiated with one of the court sides serving the ball, using the paddle, to hit the pickleball. In order to serve the ball correctly, the player must maintain a stealthy position behind the non-volley zone line.
- Service is always to be started from the right-hand court.
- If the team is playing in doubles, each player is given the chance to serve once, before handing service over to the opponents.
Designated Court Space and Equipment
All one requires to carry out a game of Pickleball is a net, a lightweight ball such as a whiffle, and some table tennis paddles.
A makeshift court can be drawn, using something as simple as sidewalk chalk, as it was done in early days! Or even get mark down tape/markers.
It is quite common however, to actively find already set up Pickleball courts. Majority of playgrounds now tend to have Pickleball courts incorporated, as well as leisure centers for the community, and even private members clubs! This is definitely because the game itself is picking up popularity at an increasing speed!
Try out the game and take our word for it, you will not be disappointed!
