THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE
TO PICKLEBALL
You’ve heard the saying: what’s old is new again. That is certainly the case with pickleball, which had been a niche sport for decades, but now over 4.2 million players in the U.S.!
So, what’s the attraction of pickleball?
Pickleball is a fun, social sport with a very low barrier to entry. It’s a unique combination of tennis, badminton, and ping pong that is easy for beginners to learn. But with some practice, it can also develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players.
How can I get started?
Pickleball is played on hard-court surfaces using a perforated plastic ball (think, wiffle ball) and paddles that are slightly larger than ping-pong paddles. Like tennis, pickleball can be played as singles (2 players) or doubles (4 players).
What you’ll need to get started is:
- Pickleball paddle
- Athletic shoes
- Active wear
- An attitude of FUN!
It’s that easy!
Feel free to borrow a friend’s paddle if you’re just getting started. If you think you will become a regular player, it makes sense to invest your own equipment.
When it comes to your attire, choose active-wear clothes that showcase your personal style (think, bold colors and designs) yet let you move freely around the court; lace up athletic shoes that are comfortable, yet sturdy (as with most courtbased sports, you want to make sure your ankles are supported to prevent any injuries); and consider wearing a breathable, yet stylish, hat to help keep cool.
What is the pickleball court like?
A pickleball court is one-fourth of the size of a tennis court and is about the same size as a doubles’ badminton court. It measures 44 feet long and 20 feet wide (including the lines on all sides). The net high is 36 inches (3 feet) at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle.
There are six distinct sections in the court: the left and right service areas on both sides, and the two non-volley zones (also known as the “kitchen”) on each side from sideline to sideline and between the net and service areas.
Where can I play pickleball?
Pickleball courts are popping up all over the U.S., in fact, some states like Florida and Arizona are designing entire communities around pickleball courts.
Community centers, recreation centers, school gyms, and even restaurants are getting in on the game and developing courts for both new and experienced players. As the sport continues to gain popularity, many resorts and country clubs are even retrofitting tennis courts to meet growing demand.
USA Pickleball’s Places2Play website is a good place to start to find courts in your area or contact your city’s Parks and Recreation department to see if there are local courts you can access.