Pickleball is a fast-paced paddle sport that’s easy to learn and fun for all ages. The game has a simple court layout, an easy scoring system, and just two basic rules: serve underhand and stay on your own side of the net.
Do you know pickleball?
Pickleball is a racquet sport that’s similar to tennis and badminton. It’s played on a court that’s roughly half the size of a tennis court, with lines marking off where you can hit the ball. Players use paddles, called pickleballs (duh), to hit a plastic ball back and forth over those lines.
In 1965 Joel Pritchard invented pickleball. He wanted to create an activity that his wife could play with him when they were both retired; he named it after their dog Pickles. Since then it has grown in popularity across North America and beyond: there are now over 35 million people playing pickleball worldwide!
How do you start playing it?
To start playing pickleball, you’ll need a few things:
- A partner. You can’t play pickleball alone! Find someone who is interested in the game and willing to commit some time to learning how to play it.
- A court (or two). Pickleball courts are usually outdoors and measure 40 feet long by 20 feet wide. If you can’t find one nearby, ask around at your local parks department or recreation center–they may be able to help you find one nearby that doesn’t require membership fees for use of their facilities.
- Equipment for four players total: one wooden paddle per player plus two plastic balls (one yellow, one red) per team player (so eight balls total if playing doubles).
What safety precautions should you take?
Wear shoes with good traction. You play pickleball on a hard court, so you should make sure your shoes have a good grip. If you’re not sure how to choose the right pair, ask an expert or look at reviews online.
Wear knee braces if necessary and take breaks when needed! Even though pickleball isn’t as physically demanding as some other sports, it still requires lots of movement from your knees. So it’s important to take care of yourself during playtime by wearing protective gear like padded knee sleeve if necessary.
I hope that you have enjoyed learning about pickleball. It is a fun game that anyone can play, so don’t let the name stop you from giving it a try!
