New to Pickleball? Here's How to Play
You’ve heard about it around the office, from the neighbors, or from friends and family, confused as to why you’re not hip to the game that’s taken hold of the country.
It’s… PICKLEBALL!
Pickleball is a sport that is sweeping the nation. It combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong to create a versatile and fun game for people of all ages and all skill levels.
You likely have friends or family that play, and maybe you’re starting to feel like you’re missing out on all the fun. If you still haven’t experienced the sheer joy and excitement of pickleball, C&C Courts is here to help!
If you’re new to pickleball and need to learn how to place, we’ve got you covered. Here are the rules and a how-to-play guide for pickleball in Wisconsin!
What Is Pickleball?
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines several different sports into one easy-to-learn game. It was developed in the 1960s in Bainbridge Island, Washington. While it has been around for decades, it has seen a more recent surge in popularity.
Pickleball is primarily played on tennis courts or special pickleball courts and can be played almost all year round, depending on the weather.
The objective of pickleball is to score points by hitting the ball over the net and into the opponent’s court in a way that cannot be returned.
You can play either singles or doubles.
Pickleball Equipment
There are three main pieces of equipment you need to play pickleball, which include:
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Paddle: Paddles are solid and made of wood or composite materials. They are a little larger than a ping-pong paddle.
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Ball: Pickleball balls are perforated plastic balls, like wiffle balls, designed to reduce speed and provide better control.
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Net: The net is similar to a tennis net but lower.
Pickleball Game Play
Here is a basic outline of how to play the game. It all starts with the serve:
Serve
The game begins with one side serving the ball diagonally to the opponent’s court. The serve must be underhanded, and your foot must be behind the baseline.
Volley
After the serve, the players hit the ball back and forth over the net, aiming to land it in the opponent’s court. You can volley (hit the ball in the air without letting it bounce), but you have to be careful not to step into the non-volley zone (aka the kitchen) when volleying.
Double Bounce Rule
Each team must allow the ball to bounce once on their side before a volley is allowed. After the ball has bounced, once on each side, the players can volley.
Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen)
The kitchen, or non-volley zone, is a 7-foot area on both sides of the net. Players cannot volley the ball while standing in the zone unless the ball bounces in the kitchen.
Scoring
Only the serving team can score points, and games are usually played to 11 or 21 points. The winning team must win by at least 2 points.
Rotation of Server
In doubles play, both players on the serving team get a chance to serve before the other team.
Faults
Common faults include:
Winning the Game
The first team to reach the agreed-upon score by at least 2 points wins the game!
Build Your Own Wisconsin Pickleball Court With C&C Courts
If you have the backyard space, consider building your own custom backyard pickleball court!
Building a pickleball court is a great way to hone your skills and never run out of places to play. You can host tournaments and invite the neighborhood over to show off your new pickleball skills.
A backyard pickleball court is a great way to create a no-mow space as well.
For over 30 years, C&C Courts has designed and installed indoor and outdoor pickleball courts around Wisconsin. Our game courts are high-quality and durable and can be converted into multi-sport playing areas.
So, if you’ve played your first game of pickleball and fell in love, consider building a pickleball court so you have a dedicated place to play! Give us a call today at 414-377-5294 or request a quote online today.
