What is pickleball, and how do you play it?

Pickleball is currently one of the fastest-growing sports in the world and has captivated sports enthusiasts of all ages with its unique blend of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong game styles. Pickleball is easy to learn, fun to play and offers a great way to stay active, making it appealing to both professional athletes and complete beginners.

Played on a small court with a paddle, this social and inclusive sport offers a dynamic mix of strategy, finesse, and quick reflexes. If you're curious about how to play, our blog will walk you through the basics, from understanding the rules to some of the history behind it, so you can jump onto the court and join in on the fun.

What is pickleball?

Pickleball combines elements from various racquet sports into an exciting game that can be enjoyed by all skill levels and ages. It can be played either solo or in pairs and is played on a court that is around the same size as a badminton court. The players use paddles to hit a plastic ball called a wiffle ball with the aim of hitting it over the net without their opponent hitting it back.

When was pickleball invented?

The sport was invented in 1965 by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum, who were trying to come up with a game that their kids could play together. Deciding to combine the most exciting parts of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, the three fathers created the first iteration of the game that would go on to be called pickleball.

How to play pickleball?

Now we know a bit more about the basics of pickleball, let’s discuss how to play pickleball to get you ready to play! Below, we’ve included all the rules you need to know when taking the first swing into this popular sport.

What is the pickleball court size?

Pickleball is played on a court, which is around 20” x 44”, with a net height of 36cm. Both areas that are divided by the net include a 7” area called the ‘kitchen’ where players aren’t allowed to hit volleys.

How to score in pickleball?

The winner is the first team to get to 11 points, however, you have to win by two clear points, like a tie-break in tennis or padel. If the score is tied at 10-10, then you keep going until one side gets two clear points.

Pickleball rules

We’ve discussed how players win points and how to serve, but what about the essential rules? Below we’ve compiled a list of all the basic rules of pickleball that you should know before grabbing your paddle:

The ball is served underhand from the right side of the court and is played diagonally across to the other service court.
You win a point if the defending side does not manage to return the ball, hits the ball out, does not let the serve ball bounce, volleys in the non-volley zone, or is hit by the ball
You can only win points on your serve, and you continue serving until you lose a point.
After winning a point on your serve, you swap sides to then serve to your other opponent/ into the other service box (diagonally).
In doubles, players take turns serving.
The ball is served diagonally to the opposite service box.
The ball must travel beyond the kitchen and bounce in the service box before the player can return the ball.
Players can either serve underarm or the ball can be bounced on the ground and then hit underarm below the waist.
When serving, players must stand within the sidelines and centreline, and at least one foot must be behind the baseline.

What equipment do you need for pickleball?

If you’re picking up pickleball for the first time, having the right equipment will make all the difference. To ensure you have all the right gear, we’ve included a list below of what gear you’ll need when playing this exciting game.

Pickleball Paddles

There are many different kinds of pickleball paddles available to choose from, and each offers a different style when playing. You can find pickleball paddles made from different materials and weights, creating a wide selection of paddles for you to choose from. To help you know which one will be best for you, we’ve included the different kinds of pickleball paddles you can find below:

Pickleball paddles based on materials:

Fibreglass paddles - offers players more power in their swing
Graphite paddles - gives players more control over your swing
Carbon Fiber paddles - are the best for those looking for a mix of power and control, making them a good option for beginners who are figuring out their playing style.

Pickleball paddles based on weight:

Lightweight paddles (up to 205g) - these paddles help with control and reaction times, making them better for speed.
Midweight paddles (205g -240g) - medium weight paddles help with power and control, which is a good option for beginners
Heavy paddles (over 240g) - heavy pickleball paddles focus on generating more power in your swings.

Other pickleball equipment

Now we’ve discussed the kinds of paddles you can find and how they can benefit your playing style. Let's get into what other kit you’ll need when playing pickleball.

A pickleball - pickleballs are also known as wiffle balls. They’re small plastic balls with holes in them, and you can get them in two different variations. One is heavier with 40 holes, which is more adapted to outdoor play, while the other is lighter with 26 holes, better for indoor games.

Paddle bag - a paddle bag will make it easier to carry around your paddles.

Paddle grips - these attach to your paddle handles and will prevent slipping for more control when playing.

Pickleball FAQs

Why is it called pickleball?

There are two different stories for where the name came from. The first one is said to have been named after their family dog, Pickles.

The other story is said to have come from Joel Pritchard's wife, Joan, who made the name from local pickle boat crew race competitions and refers to a boat that is made up of the leftover oarsmen from other boats.

Where can I play pickleball?

There are over 270 clubs in the UK that host pickleball games, and you can find your local pickleball club using a locator. You can also use a regular tennis ball court at your local park to create your Pickball court.

To do this, you can use the tennis net and service boxes to create your court by lowering the tennis net to around 35 inches. A pickleball court is a bit smaller than a tennis court, so you’ll need cones or markers to create a court dimension of 20”x44”. You’ll need to add lines or marks to create the kitchen zone, and it should be a seven-foot line on either side of the net.

The lines on the tennis court should be good markers for the service boxes, and with this setup, you can enjoy your pickleball games at your local parks and leisure centres!

Discover your new favourite sport with Avec Sport

Pickleball has been growing in popularity and with good reason! It’s fun and playable for people of all skill levels while combining exciting elements from various different sports. Dive into this unique sport and get ready for the courts, and explore our extensive range of sportswear to find sweat-wicking and supporting materials for your next game.