About Pickleball

Fun, social and friendly. The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players. Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. Three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities — are credited for creating game. Pickleball has evolved from original handmade equipment and simple rules into a popular sport throughout the US and Canada. The game is growing internationally as well, with many European and Asian countries adding courts.

How Do I Play?

The first rule is to always stay inbounds. No matter if it is you, yourself, or the ball, it’s important to make sure you’re within the lines and staying on the sidelines. The white lines along the court will guide you to ensure the ball stays inbounds. If it falls out of bounds, you lose your serve, or give the ball to the opposing team. The second rule is to follow the proper serving regulations, meaning to determine who serves first before the game starts, hold the ball below the waistline, hit the ball diagonally in the opposite direction, and if you make an incorrect serve, the opposing team gets the ball. Thirdly, the ball should only bounce on once on each side of the court after it is hit. If it bounces more than once, the opposing team will gain a point and they will get the next serve. When it comes to the fourth rule, the ball should not touch the no-volley zone, which is the area between the sidelines and the net. The final rule deals specifically on the scoring system of the game. The game can only end at 11, 15, or 21 points. When playing in singles, the game can only go to 11 or 15 and when playing in doubles, 15 or 21 are the most common points that you can get. The winning team should be winning by two points. Learn more about pickleball and how to play!

Pickleball Court Layout

A pickleball court is the same size as a doubles badminton court and measures 20×44 feet. In pickleball, the same court is used for both singles and doubles play. The net height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle. The court is striped similar to a tennis court with right and left service courts and a 7-foot non-volley zone in front of the net (referred to as the “kitchen”). Courts can be constructed specifically for pickleball or they can be converted using existing tennis or badminton courts. A pickleball court is the same size as a doubles badminton court and measures 20×44 feet. In pickleball, the same court is used for both singles and doubles play. The net height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle. The court is striped similar to a tennis court with right and left service courts and a 7-foot non-volley zone in front of the net (referred to as the “kitchen”). Courts can be constructed specifically for pickleball or they can be converted using existing tennis or badminton courts.