Introduction: Pickleball is a fun and fastgrowing sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis1. It’s easy to learn and can be played both indoors and outdoors1. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refresh your knowledge, this guide will help you get started.
Equipment
- Paddle: Similar to a ping pong paddle but larger1.
Ball: A perforated plastic ball, similar to a wiffle ball
Court: A badminton-sized court with a net in the middle
Basic Rules
- 1.Court Setup: The court is divided into two halves by a net. Each half is further divided into a non-volley zone (kitchen) and a service area.
2.Serve: The serve is underhand and must be hit diagonally across the net. The server must keep one foot behind the baseline until the ball is struck.
3.Two-Bounce Rule: After the serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce once before returning it. The serving team must also let the ball bounce once before volleying.
4.Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen): Players cannot volley the ball (hit it in the air) while standing in the non-volley zone. They must let the ball bounce before stepping into this zone.
5.Scoring: Points are only scored by the serving team. Games are typically played to 11 points, and you must win by 2 points.
6.Faults: Common faults include hitting the ball out of bounds, into the net, or letting it bounce twice on your side. Stepping into the non-volley zone before the ball bounces is also a fault.
Gameplay
- Singles: Played with two players, one on each side of the court.
- Doubles: Played with two teams of two players each. Communication and teamwork are key in doubles play.
Strategy
- Positioning: Try to get to the non-volley zone line as soon as possible to put pressure on your opponents.
- Shot Selection: Use a mix of dinks (soft shots), volleys, and smashes to keep your opponents guessing.
Advanced Techniques
- Dink Shot: A soft shot that barely clears the net and lands in the opponent’s non-volley zone.
- Poach: When a player crosses over to their partner’s side to intercept a shot.
- Smash: A powerful overhead shot aimed at the opponent’s court.
Common Pickleball Terms
- Opa: A celebratory yell after a good shot.
- Kitchen: The non-volley zone near the net.
- Lob: A high, arcing shot intended to go over the opponent’s head.
- Drive: A fast, low shot aimed directly at the opponent.
