You’ve seen the pickleball courts filled with people in the evenings and on weekends, what’s all the fuss about? Pickleball is a sport that’s quickly gaining popularity, especially among older generations. This is a fun low-impact sport that’ll save your joints while providing hours of physical competition.
The court is divided into two sides split by a net where each side is divided by a line perpendicular to the net designating two serving zones. Lastly, there are lines that designate a zone called the kitchen on each side of the net, seven feet from it. Each team is made up of two players standing on the same side of the net together. All that’s required to play is a court, a paddle for each person, and a ball. Let’s learn the rules!
Every point begins with a serve which must be hit underhand from behind the baseline, and diagonal onto the opposite serving zone on the opponent’s side. The ball has to bounce once on each side before you can begin to hit it out of the air without a bounce. The two teams will hit the ball back and forth until someone makes a mistake. The kitchen, or non-volley zone, is an important and unique component of pickleball. You cannot hit the ball with either of your feet in the kitchen unless the ball has already bounced on your side. You receive a point if the other team hits the ball out of bounds, into the net, you hit the ball with your feet in the kitchen, or the ball bounces twice on the other team’s side.
Scoring in pickleball is a little unique, but let’s talk about it. Each point begins with the serve and only the serving team can score a point. Both people on the team will have a chance to serve before it switches to the other team. Each person has a server number (1 or 2) and when the score is announced you state your score, your opponent’s score, and which server number you are. If you score on your serve you will exchange places with your teammate and serve to the opposite side until your team loses a rally. When the team loses the rally the second server will serve from where they are. When they call out the score, they will say their score, their opponent’s score, and the number 2 because they are the second server. Games are played to 11 and you must win by two points.
Pickleball can also be played one on one if you’re short on players. This is a great sport to get some exercise, to have a little competition and to be gentle on your joints. Pickleball is truly a sport that’s great for any age. There are courts popping up everywhere so don’t be afraid to get out there, buy some paddles, hit the court, and have fun!