Pickleball is a game developed by adapting the basic rules and principals of tennis and badminton into a fast-paced game for players of all ages. Players use a paddle and lighter plastic baseball on a badminton court with a net 34 inches high at the center. Variations of pickleball help everyone enjoy the game. Players with mobility issues enjoy the smaller court of pickleball. The lighter ball puts less stress on the arm when playing and reduces the incidence of injuries, such as tennis elbow.
Pickleball Basics
The serving team starts each point by serving cross court from the right side of the court. The serve is hit underhand without allowing the ball to bounce, and it must cross the volley line to be a good serve. Servers alternate starting points from the left to right side of the court standing behind the baseline. While players can volley the ball, or hit it without letting it bounce, they must stand behind the volley line to ensure safety and fair play. Before any player can volley, the ball must bounce at least once on each side of the court during the point. Points end when the ball bounces twice or is hit out of bounds.
Doubles
Doubles is played with two players on one team against two other players. The first team to win 11 points and be ahead of the other team by at least two points wins the game. The first serving team chooses a server to start the game. Servers continue to serve alternating court sides until a fault is made, meaning the point is lost, and the other team's first server continues. Serving teams change from right to left positions as the server moves to the new spot. Receiving team members pick a side and stay on it for all returns. Only the serving team can score a point.
Singles
Singles pickleball follows the same rules as doubles with one alteration: the server must always serve from the right side of the court if the score is zero or adds up to an even number. If the score adds up to an odd number, the server must serve from the left side of the court. For example, if the score is 2-1, the server must serve from the left side of the court. All the same service rules, faults, boundaries and volley rules apply.
Making Things Competitive
Pickleball allows players of different abilities to enjoy the game. As long as the teams have similar or equal pairs, the game is often competitive. There are times when its impossible to make the teams equal based on ability. In circumstances such as this, allow either serve or point handicapping. Serve handicapping allows the weaker team an additional serve to get the ball in. Point handicapping spots the weaker team points at the start of the game, similar to a golf handicap. You may also adjust the court size, making the non-volley zone the only in-bounds area, forcing a dinking game for more control. Similarly, you can eliminate volleying altogether as another adaptation.
Member Comments