Pickleball Is Fun For Beginners
Pickleball is a fun and easy sport that anyone can learn and enjoy. It combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, and can be played indoors or outdoors on a court similar to a tennis court. Pickleball is played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes, and the rules are simple and straightforward. In this blog post, I will introduce you to the basics of pickleball and give you some tips on how to get started.
The first thing you need to know is how to set up the court and equipment. You can play pickleball on any flat surface that has enough space for a net and two sides. The official court size is 20 feet by 44 feet, divided by a net that is 36 inches high at the ends and 34 inches high in the middle. You can use chalk, tape, or cones to mark the boundaries of the court and the non-volley zone, which is a 7-foot area on both sides of the net where you are not allowed to hit the ball in the air. You can also find pickleball courts at some parks, recreation centers, or pickleball clubs in your area.
You will need a paddle and a ball to play pickleball. The paddle is similar to a table tennis paddle, but larger and sturdier. It can be made of wood, composite, or graphite, and it has a smooth surface with no texture or rubber. The ball is similar to a whiffle ball, but smaller and heavier. It has 26 to 40 holes, depending on the type of ball. There are different balls for indoor and outdoor play, so make sure you choose the right one for your court.
The next thing you need to know is how to serve and score. Pickleball is played as singles or doubles, with each side having one or two players. The serve is done underhand, with the paddle below the waist and the ball below the navel. The server must hit the ball diagonally into the opposite service court, clearing the net and landing beyond the non-volley zone. The serve must be done from behind the baseline, and only one fault is allowed per side. The server continues to serve until a fault is made by the serving side.
The scoring system in pickleball is simple: only the serving side can score points, and the game is played until one side reaches 11 points and wins by at least two points. A point is scored when the receiving side commits a fault, such as hitting the ball out of bounds, into the net, or into the non-volley zone on a serve or volley. A rally is over when a fault is made by either side.
The last thing you need to know is how to play the game and have fun. Pickleball is a fast-paced and exciting sport that requires skill, strategy, and teamwork. You can use different strokes, such as forehand, backhand, lob, drop shot, smash, or dink, to hit the ball over the net and keep your opponents guessing. You can also use different positions, such as up at the net, back at the baseline, or in between, to cover the court and create angles. The most important thing is to communicate with your partner, if you are playing doubles, and have fun with your opponents.
Pickleball is a great sport for beginners who have never played before. It is easy to learn, fun to play, and good for your health. If you want to try pickleball, all you need is a paddle, a ball, a court, and some friends. You will soon discover why pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in America.