Pickleball is a paddle sport that has been gaining popularity in recent years, especially among seniors. The game is played on a court with a net stretched across the middle and can be played both indoors and outdoors. Pickleball is like tennis, but the smaller court and paddles make it a more accessible sport for people of all ages and abilities. In this beginner's guide, we'll show you how to get started playing pickleball.
Equipment
You'll need a pickleball paddle and a pickleball. The paddle is smaller than a tennis racket and has a curved surface to help deflect the ball. The ball itself is also smaller than a tennis ball and has a perforated surface to help it travel through the air more easily.
Court
Pickleball can be played on either an indoor or outdoor court. An official regulation court is 20x44 feet, but you can also play on a smaller court if you don't have access to an official one. The court is divided in half by a net that is 36 inches high at the center and 34 inches high at the posts.
Scoring
Scoring in pickleball is similar to tennis, with games going to 11 points. However, you must win by 2 points; for example, if the score is 10-9, you cannot simply stop playing once you reach 11 points. The first team to score 11 points wins the game. If both teams are tied at 10 points apiece, then play continues until one team achieves a 2-point lead.
Serving
Serving in pickleball is also like tennis, although there are some key differences. For example, in tennis you can serve from anywhere behind the baseline, but in pickleball you must serve from behind the back line (which runs perpendicular to the net). In addition, while in tennis you can serve diagonally into either service box, in pickleball you must serve into the right service box if you're serving from the right side of the court and into the left service box if you're serving from the left side of the court (this applies even if your opponent is standing on the opposite side of the court). Finally, while there is no second chance in tennis if your initial serve goes long or wide, in pickleball you are allowed one "fault" before losing possession of the serve—however if your second serve goes out as well then your opponent will win the point regardless.
Pickleball is a great way to stay active, have fun, and meet new people. With just a few pieces of equipment and some knowledge of the basic rules, you'll be ready to hit the court and start enjoying this fun sport in no time!