pickleball

pickleball, fast-paced sport that has many similarities to tennis, badminton, and table tennis (Ping-Pong). It is played on a level court with short-handled paddles and a perforated hollow plastic ball that is volleyed over a low net. Matches feature two opposing players (singles) or two pairs of players (doubles), and the sport can be played either outdoors or indoors. Pickleball was invented in the United States in 1965, and in the early 21st century it experienced rapid growth. It is now played worldwide by people of all ages and skill levels.

Equipment and rules of play

Pickleball equipment is relatively simple. An official court measures 20 by 44 feet (6.1 by 13.4 metres) for both singles and doubles matches; these are the same dimensions as a doubles court in badminton. The pickleball net is 34 inches (86 cm) high at its centre and 36 inches (91 cm) high at the sides of the court. Players use solid, smooth-surfaced paddles, typically made of wood or composite materials. Paddles may be no longer than 17 inches (43 cm). The combined length and width of a paddle may not exceed 24 inches (61 cm). There are no restrictions, however, on the thickness or weight of a paddle. The balls are lightweight and measure from 2.87 to 2.97 inches (7.3 to 7.5 cm) in diameter.

Play starts with a cross-court serve from behind the baseline (the boundary line at each end of the court). Players must serve with an underhand stroke. The aim is to make the ball clear the net and land in the service area diagonally opposite the server, avoiding a designated non-volley zone (known as “the kitchen”) that extends 7 feet (2.1 metres) on either side of the net. The receiving player must let the ball bounce once before returning the serve. After one initial bounce on each side of the court, players can choose whether to volley the ball directly in the air or let it bounce before hitting it.

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Only the serving player or team is able to score a point. After serving, a point is scored when an opposing player commits a fault, or error. Faults include failing to return the ball, hitting the ball into the net or out of bounds, and letting the ball bounce more than once. Volleying a ball from a position within the non-volley zone is also prohibited. This prevents players from charging the net and smashing the ball against an opponent. The server is allowed one attempt to get the ball into play. He or she continues to serve until losing a rally, and then the serve switches to the opposing player. In doubles play, both players on a particular side are given the opportunity to serve the ball before the serve switches to the opposing side. Games are typically played to 11 points. Tournament games may be played to 15 or 21 points. Games must be won by at least 2 points.

History, organization, and expansion

Pickleball was invented in the summer of 1965 by a group of neighbours on Bainbridge Island, Washington. The group included Washington state representative Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. Looking for a game to play with their families but lacking a full set of badminton equipment, the neighbours created a new sport using an old badminton court, Ping-Pong paddles, and a Wiffle ball (a perforated ball used in a version of baseball). They lowered the badminton net to roughly the height of a tennis net and also modified the other equipment.

Soon the group formulated the basic rules for pickleball. According to one account, the name pickleball was suggested by Pritchard’s wife, Joan Pritchard. The mixing of elements and equipment from several different sports reminded her of a “pickle boat,” which is a boat made up of rowers from different crews who race together for fun at the end of a rowing competition. Another account claims that the sport took its name from the Pritchards’ dog Pickles, though the family has stated that the dog was named after the sport.

In 1972 the founders of pickleball established a corporation to advance the sport. The first pickleball tournament was held in Tukwila, Washington, four years later. The United States Amateur Pickleball Association (later known as USA Pickleball) was organized as a national governing body for the sport in 1984. That year the organization published the first official rulebook for pickleball. By the 1990s the sport was being played in every U.S. state. In the early 21st century it has seen incredible growth, and its wide appeal across age groups led community centres, YMCAs, and retirement communities to add pickleball courts to their facilities. The sport was also included in many physical education classes in schools. By 2022 pickleball was the fastest-growing sport in the United States, with nearly five million participants. That year also saw a number of athletes, including Tom Brady and LeBron James, investing in Major League Pickleball.

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Pickleball also became popular in other countries. In 2010 the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) was organized to help develop the sport and promote it around the world. The original member associations were located in the United States, Canada, India, and Spain. Over the next decade the number of countries with IFP member associations and groups increased to more than 60. The IFP has specified one of its main goals to be gaining the inclusion of pickleball as a sport in the Olympic Games.

Several major pickleball tournaments are held annually. Top competitions in the United States include the USA Pickleball National Championships and the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships. Both tournaments feature men’s and women’s singles and doubles matches as well as mixed doubles. The championships are open to amateur and professional players alike. The IFP’s premier event is the Bainbridge Cup tournament, named for the birthplace of the sport. The Bainbridge Cup’s format features pickleball teams representing different continents competing against one another.