What is Pickleball and How do you Play?

Invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, just outside of Seattle, Washington – pickleball is a combination of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton that is played on a court about one-third the size of a tennis court (same dimensions as a badminton court) with a net that is 34 inches high at the center. Pickleball is played with a paddle (think over-sized ping-pong paddle) and perforated ball – somewhat similar (but not really) to a Wiffle Ball.

[Updated November 2023]

For the last several years, pickleball has been exploding! It has been dubbed the “fastest-growing sport in America.” According to the 2023 Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) Participant Report, there are currently approximately 8.9 million players in the United States and that number is quickly growing.

Why is it Called Pickleball?

There are two differing accounts of how pickleball got its name. To set the stage for these two theories, it’s important to first understand the “origin” of the sport. In 1965, with their children bored with their “typical” summertime activities, three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum – created a game that incorporated elements of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton.

A Pickle Boat

One account states that “the combination of different sports (tennis, ping-pong, badminton) is reminiscent of the pickle boat in crew where oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers of other boats.”  Now, I was never in crew – nor did I go to prep school – but it seems like a legit theory.

A Dog named, Pickles

The second account states that the game was named after Joel Pritchard’s dog – named “Pickles.” According to this account, Pickles was known for chasing the ball, putting it in its mouth and running off the court.

Whether #pickleball was named after the dog – or the dog was named after the sport – is up for debate. Regardless, a great game was born on that summer day in 1965.

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Pickleball Court Dimensions

The dimensions of a pickleball court are 20 feet wide (inclusive of lines) by 44 feet long (inclusive of lines) for both singles and doubles. By comparison, a tennis court has dimensions (including doubles alley) of 36 feet wide by 78 feet long. From a square footage perspective, that makes a tennis court 3.19 times larger than a pickleball court.  Because of the massive explosion in popularity, many tennis courts are now being converted into pickleball courts.

>>Click Here for Complete Pickleball Court Specifications<<

How Do You Play Pickleball?

At its most basic level, the pickleball is served diagonally across the net to the opponent’s service court using an underhand motion. The ball is then hit back and forth across the net until a player fails to return the ball in accordance with the rules. With points only being won by the serving team, games are generally played to 11 points (win by 2).

Pickleball Rules

The USAPA – formed in 2005 – maintains and updates the official rules of pickleball. You can download the rulebook – or view a compilation of pickleball rules clarifications and interpretations for many of the common — and not-so-common — scenarios that happen on the pickleball courts by clicking here.

Pickleball Scoring – Doubles

Scoring is one of the most confusing aspects for the pickleball newbie. The following represents the “CliffsNotes” version for proper scoring when playing doubles. Games are typically played to 11 points (win by 2 points). Points can only be awarded after a rally to the serving team.

If it’s your team’s turn to serve, both partners get a chance to serve and score as many points as they can before relinquishing the serve back to the opponents – unless it’s the first serving rotation of the game – in which case only the player that started serving gets to serve in this first service rotation. The partner does not serve in this initial rotation.

When the receiving team wins a rally against both serving partners (or against the one partner in the first serving rotation of the game), it is called a side-out.  The receiving team becomes the serving team and the serving team becomes the receiving team. To start the game – and on all subsequent side-outs – the player positioned on the right side of the court starts serving. If a point is won on the serve, the serving partners rotate with each other. The score is called as three numbers in doubles matches:

• Serving team’s score
• Receiving team’s score
• The server number (one or two)

>>Click Here for More on Pickleball Doubles Scoring<<

Some venues may experiment with rally scoring in an effort to speed up games when there are others waiting to play. In rally scoring, points are awarded after every rally — regardless if you are the serving team or the receiving team.

Pickleball Scoring – Singles

Scoring in singles is a bit easier than that of doubles – in part because there is no second server.

In singles, the #pickleball serve is always executed from the right side of the court when the server’s score is “even” and from the left side of the court when the server’s score is “odd.”

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Because there is no second server in singles, when the receiving player wins the rally they earn the right to serve (side-out).

>>Click Here for Additional Singles Rules and Singles Scoring Strategies<<

Formats of Play

There are many different formats for play in pickleball – with venues often experimenting with what works best.  Formats may include “open” play, round-robins, “traditional” tournaments, luck-of-the-draws, ladder leagues, and shootouts. Some venues may have a challenge court that is occupied by the same team (winning team) until “challengers” are able to beat them and replace them.

Player Rotations

In addition to the multiple numbers of formats, there are also a seemingly equal number of methods to implement for the fair rotation of players when courts are busy.

Some #pickleball venues stack paddles, some use whiteboards and some just let players wander to the court of which they wish to play. And still, others have no organized method of rotating players.

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Rotating players is undoubtedly one of the biggest challenges when courts are busy.

Where Can I Play Pickleball?

Pickleball is now played in a host of different locations plus dedicated pickleball venues are popping up all over. Check your local rec center or YMCA. Search for and join some local Facebook Groups and pose the question. Ask your local tennis clubs if they offer pickleball. Contact your local USAPA pickleball ambassador. And, of course, check out the “Places to Play” section of the USAPA website.

>>READ MORE: Where can I Play Pickleball? Find a Pickleball Court Near You!<<

Pickleball Strategy

So, having found a place to play, it’s time to devise a winning pickleball strategy so that you can start beating your opponents. 🙂  Pickleball strategy comes in many different flavors. As you will come to realize – if you haven’t already – it’s often a battle between contrasting styles/strategies of play.

However, one thing that is universally agreed upon when it comes to playing winning #pickleball is to get yourself to the NVZ line.

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It’s at this NVZ line that points are more easily won. So having said that, every return-of-serve should be followed immediately to the kitchen line (and split-stepping as you work your way through the transition area).

In addition to this strategy, there are certain things you should not do. With that in mind, here are our Top 10 Technique & Strategy Flaws [that may be] Impeding your Pickleball Progress.

Pickleball Etiquette

Although you won’t find pickleball etiquette standards in any rulebook, abiding by a certain [unwritten] code of etiquette is equally important. Here are our top 10 unwritten etiquette rules for the pickleball newbie… and for some experienced players too!

Pickleball Paddles

When pickleball started, players would play with wooden paddles. However, technology has changed over the years. The wooden paddles of yesteryears have now been replaced with graphite and fiberglass paddles made with honeycomb cores.

Pickleball paddles have varying weights, shapes, grip sizes, material make-up – and, of course, prices. Because each person has their own, unique preferences in a paddle, one “size” definitely does not fit all. A paddle that’s right for you may not be right for me. If possible, before purchasing a paddle, try out a couple of different models to see what is most comfortable for you. If you’re brand new to pickleball, you may want to try out some entry-level paddles from Amazin’ Aces. They are perfect – and favorably priced – for the pickleball newbie.

Pickleball Balls

Pickleballs are plastic perforated balls that have between 26 and 40 holes. If playing pickleball outdoors — outdoor balls are typically used. The “outdoor” ball – because it is slightly heavier, harder, and has smaller holes – travels significantly faster than the indoor ball.

>>Click Here for a Complete Guide to Pickleball Balls<<

Other Pickleball Gear

It’s important to look good and feel good on the pickleball court. In our pickleball gear guide, Product Recommendations for the Pickleball Addict,” we include everything for the pickleball addict — including pickleball paddles, shoes, bags, Fitbit Activity Trackers, water bottles, sunglasses, coffee mugs, and more.

Pickleball – It’s Addicting!

It’s generally accepted that pickleball is very addicting. It’s not unusual for people to play for several hours at a time, several days a week. Pickleball is social. It’s active. It’s healthy. It’s challenging — yet has a very quick learning curve.

>>READ MORE: 10 Reasons Why I Love Pickleball<<

So, What is Pickleball?

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the game of pickleball and can answer this question when posed by your family or friends. If you haven’t already tried playing, give it a try today. For more information about pickleball, please be sure to subscribe to our free newsletter. The newsletter will be chock-full of tips, rules, strategies, and more.

See you on the courts!

>>READ NEXT: 101 Pickleball Terms to Add to Your Vocabulary<<