Pickleball Explained

See below for details on the game and also a look into why this game might be for you.

The Basics

Pickleball is a paddle sport you can learn in minutes and play for a lifetime. It brings together elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis to create a sport that’s fun for all ages and skill levels.

Pickleball is played:

·       indoors or outdoors as long as it is a hard surface to ensure the ball can bounce

·       as both doubles and singles

·       using a solid paddle to hit a plastic “whiffle” ball over a net (3 inches lower than a tennis net)

The Game

A game usually takes between 10 and 20 minutes but players usually participate in recreational playing sessions for an average of 2 hours.
Each game starts with the serving team sending the ball over the net.  The ball must bounce once on each side of the court before volleying can occur – that is the serve and the return of serve must bounce. BUT.. after this, both teams aim to be at the net where the game is centred around short sharp volleys and strategic soft drop shots to outplay and out position your opponents.

If the serving team faults or misses the ball, they lose their serve. But if the receiving team faults or misses the ball, the serving team scores a point. The first team to reach 11 points (as long as they’re 2 points ahead) wins the game.

Read the full official rules here.

How is pickleball different from other net sports?

Pickleball is easier than many other net sports.

• The game is a low impact activity, so it’s easier on the body.
• The serve is a simple underarm hit over the net.
• Gameplay focuses on reflexes, reactions, and smart positioning of the ball, rather than overpowering the opposition with smashes, powerful serves, and speed.

These differences open pickleball up to a greater range of players. Whether you’ve been playing tennis your whole life, or you’re walking onto a court for the first time; whether you’re young, old, or in between; whether you’re strategic and competitive, or just want to get involved in something fun, social, or active… Pickleball is for you!

IS PICKLEBALL FOR YOU?

You have never played a sport but want to start

Pickleball is easy to learn and forgiving for beginners.  Initial skill development is a simple process and very soon you can be on the court playing a game.  Pickleball enables individuals of very different skill levels to play an enjoyable game together.  Very quickly you will see yourself involved in rallies and achieving success on the court.

 You have played a racquet sport in the past

Pickleball is a sport that draws on skills, strategy, and rules from badminton, tennis, and table tennis.  Anyone who has been involved in a racquet sport in the past will rapidly achieve success on court in game situations often utilising skills from their past experiences.  BUT, don’t be fooled, there is more to the game than you will realise and pickleball will challenge you as your skills develop.

Injury or age is making other activities less enjoyable

The low impact nature of pickleball both with movement around the court and the skills required to play means this is a perfect activity to try for those who want to be gentle on the body (NOTE: In the case of injury it is always necessary to check with your physician before taking on a new activity).  The smaller size of the court means there is not as much running around. BUT, don’t be fooled, you will still achieve an aerobic workout.

 You want a physical activity that is also social

Pickleball is often recognised as one of the fastest growing sports worldwide.  It is the social nature of the sport which has been a central driver of this.  A game lasting 15 minutes includes a great deal of laughter, and social connectedness both on the court and off.  You can make this game as social or competitive as you want – the laughter remains.

 You are interested in a sporting challenge

While it is an easy sport to pick up and start, as with any sport to achieve competitive success requires work and pickleball has a unique set of skills.  The game can be very fast and play extremely strategic with rallies often going for 20, 30, or 40 shots.  Challenges abound.  Tournaments and competitive opportunities are also steadily growing across Australia.

Extra resources

Basic intro to rules (video)

An exciting rally, with explanations and tips (video)

Official tournament rulebook (2021)

2021 Rule Revisions - to guide you through the significant rule changes for 2021

** Photo Credit:  Above photo and attached documents "What is Pickleball?" and "How to Play Pickleball" are courtesy of www.pickleballsuperstore.com.au