What is Pickleball? All You Need to Know About America’s New Favorite Sport

Pickleball has certainly experienced a swift popularity surge across the United States. This is likely due to the sport’s inclusive nature, welcoming players of all ages and skill levels while also requiring minimal equipment. The launch of Major League Pickleball in 2021 attracted renowned athletes such as LeBron James and Drew Brees. Their investment in expanding teams within the league contributed to the game’s growing popularity. Dana Baioni, the owner of Queen of the Court, a tennis and pickleball brand specializing in bags and American-made apparel, thinks the sport has a multitude of benefits. “Pickleball is so popular because it is so much fun, it’s social, and it’s great exercise, burning up to 600 calories an hour.”

What exactly is pickleball, how is it played, and where does its name stem from? I’ve got the 411 on all things pickleball, so keep reading to hear about America’s new favorite sport.

What is pickleball?

Pickleball is a unique and engaging sport often likened to a fusion of ping pong, badminton, and tennis. It’s played on a court comparable in size to a badminton court, with a net running across the middle. Players volley the pickleball back and forth but, luckily, pickleball requires less running than tennis. The game can be enjoyed both as singles (one player versus another) or doubles (with two players per team). Each player needs specialized paddles and a perforated plastic ball known as a pickleball.

A brief overview of the sport

“Pickleball has become popular for the sense of community it fosters, as well as the fun the game provides to millions,” says Seth Bloom, founder and CEO of Pickle For Pay. The sport's origin dates back to 1965 when three friends tried to make use of a badminton court without any rackets. They crafted makeshift equipment using ping-pong paddles, a wiffleball, and an altered court. A third friend joined, and together, they established the rules for this innovative new sport. Pickleball gained considerable momentum during the pandemic, providing individuals in quarantine with a means to enjoy outdoor activity with minimal equipment.

Pickleball's growth has been remarkable. For three consecutive years, it has been recognized as the fastest-growing sport in the nation. It took off in popularity during the pandemic, when it provided cooped-up quarantiners a chance to get outside with minimal equipment. In 2022, the number of players nearly doubled, reaching almost nine million participants, according to USA Pickleball.

How pickleball is played

Whether you're playing alone or with a partner, you use a court that is 44 feet long and 20 feet wide, including the boundary lines. The game kicks off with a serve from the player on the right side of the court, similar to tennis. The serve must travel diagonally across the court and land within the boundaries of the opposing square. Servers are faulted if the ball hits the net, goes out of bounds, or lands in the "kitchen" area near the net.

After the serve, both sides must let the ball bounce once before they can volley. Players can then hit the ball after it bounces or in the air, but only within the service area. The kitchen area is a non-volley zone, meaning players can't hit the ball unless it has first bounced.

Points are lost if the ball bounces more than once, a player hits the ball out of bounds, or someone makes contact with the net.

Pickleball equipment

According to USA Pickleball, the net may be made of any mesh fabric material that will not allow a ball to pass through it. The net length should be at least 21 feet 9 inches (6.63 meters), extending from one post to the other. The net height from the bottom edge of the net to the top should be at least 30 inches. Additionally, the top of the net should be edged with a 2-inch white tape binding over a cord or cable running through the binding.

When it comes to the ball, it should be constructed from a durable material with a smooth surface and be of a uniform color. The ball can have a slight ridge at the seam as long as it does not significantly affect the ball's flight characteristics. The ball should have a diameter between 2.87 inches (7.29 centimeters) and 2.97 inches (7.54 centimeters) and weigh between 0.78 and 0.935 ounces. You can pick up regulation-approved pickleballs at most sporting goods stores, as well as pickleball shoes for women and pickleball shoes for men, which have specific treads that support multi-directional movement.

Pickleball paddles generally measure between 15 and 17 inches, with the majority of paddles being approximately 16 inches long. This length allows players to cover the pickleball court while maintaining effective control and maneuverability. Beginner paddles need to be easy to grip and swing comfortably. Important characteristics to consider are a moderate weight, a grip that feels good in the hand, a generous sweet spot, and a balance between power and control. Paddles designed for power typically have smaller sweet spots and offer more responsive feedback.

Why is it called pickleball?

Pickleball's curious name has an interesting backstory. Bloom explains, “Pickleball was actually an improvisation by Joel Pritchard—a congressman, Bill Bell—a successful businessman, and Barney McCallum—a family friend, who were looking for a new way to entertain their families one summer in 1965.

It is a paddle sport that has similar elements to tennis, badminton and table tennis. Over the years, the rules were refined and established.” The story is that the name was created by Representative Pritchard and his wife, Joan, because the new sport reminded them of the "pickle boat" in crew, where oarsmen were selected from the remaining group. The family also had a dog named Pickles, so the name stuck.

Benefits of playing pickleball and why is pickleball so popular?

Pickleball is often likened to ping pong due to the similarities in its rules. It also makes it an accessible game for people of varying skill levels and athletic abilities. Its ease of entry has driven its widespread popularity, and its multitude of benefits ensures its enduring appeal. Whether you are a newcomer looking to enjoy a new recreational activity or a seasoned athlete seeking the exhilaration of competitive play, pickleball is a versatile and inclusive sport for everyone.

“Pickleball is changing lives everywhere,” states Tyson McGuffin, a two-time U.S. Open Champion and five-time National Champion of pickleball. “There is no status, and it's very inviting. It's an easy game to pick up, and the barrier to entry is low.” His podcast, The McGuffin Show, gives weekly tips on playing pickleball competitively or just for fun.

Physical benefits

Pickleball is a great exercise for physical and mental health. It helps with balance, agility, reflexes, and hand-eye coordination without straining the body too much. Especially for older people with physical limitations from playing tennis, like hip, shoulder, knee, or joint issues, pickleball is a good alternative because it's not as hard on the body.

Social benefits

Pickleball courts are smaller than tennis courts, so one tennis court can be converted into four. The reduced court size brings players closer, allowing for easy conversation during the game. “With the smaller court, it's much more social than tennis. Players can easily banter back and forth,” McGuffin says. This quality makes pickleball an ideal choice for building connections with family, socializing with friends, and engaging in a fun workout all at once.

Mental benefits

Pickleball requires focus and rapid tactical decision making. Engaging in physical activities that involve strategic thinking can boost cognitive function, resulting in enhanced memory, quicker processing speed, and decreased stress and anxiety. Pickleball is a highly social sport, and participating in it with others can energize the mind and trigger the release of endorphins, leading to decreased anxiety, depression, and stress and an overall enhancement in mental well-being.

Pickleball rules

Basic rules

“To play pickleball, it helps to understand the basic elements of the game,” Bloom explains. “First, a serve must always be underhanded, unlike overhand serves in tennis. The server must keep both feet behind the baseline, and the serve needs to be a crosscourt diagonal strike. Players then volley the pickleball across the net after allowing it to bounce once (the double bounce rule), which allows for longer rallies and also evens out the serving side’s advantage.”

Scoring

“Pickleball is more difficult to score than it is to play. Don't let the scoring intimidate you,” says McGuffin. “Most players are happy to coach you along through your first game. You score when you're serving, and games are typically played to 11, win by two.” In the game of pickleball, points are scored by the team serving.

The score is written in a format where the first number represents the serving team's score, the second number represents the receiving team's score, and in doubles pickleball, a third number indicates the current server (either one or two), for example, 8-4-1 or 8-4-2. A pickleball game is played until one team reaches 11 points, and the winning team must have a lead of at least two points.

The kitchen rule

Pickleball is famous not only for its funny name but also a funny rule, called the kitchen rule. Blooms says, “Another important note is about the kitchen—a 7-foot area on either side of the net where players may not volley. This reduces aggressive net play.” The social aspect of pickleball is increased by recognizing this rule.

Getting started with pickleball

Pickleball is an easy sport to get started with as it doesn’t require a lot of skill or equipment. You can get by with a pickleball court, paddles, and ball, and you can add gear as you improve at the game. “The beauty of pickleball is that it's super inviting,” says McGuffin. “You can pick any local park or dedicated pickleball facility, and during open play, there will be people willing to show you the ropes.”

Finding a pickleball court

“There are numerous courts where you can play pickleball across the world,” Bloom says. “In the U.S., there are several pickleball clubs, such as The Exchange in New Orleans, and retirement communities like The Villages in Florida, which also have pickleball courts, as it’s a good low-impact sport for seniors.” You can find a court at Pickleheads, the official court and game finder of USA Pickleball. Check your local parks department or recreational centers for days and times you can book. Many offer the ability to book a court online.

Essential pickleball tips for beginners

It is important to focus on mastering the fundamentals, such as efficiently dinking the ball across the net and straight across, and developing a drop shot. Patience is key: Understanding when to hit the ball with force or delicacy is crucial. It's advisable not to attempt a "kill" shot unless necessary. A key strategy is to observe your opponent and analyze their ball-hitting technique to anticipate the speed and direction of the return. But, most of all, just have fun! Pickleball is intended to be a fun game shared among friends.

Joining a pickleball community

"Pickleball communities are easy to find and join," Baioni says. "There are a ton of open play opportunities, beginning classes, teams to join at all levels, and nice people to play with. Grab a paddle or borrow one and join in! Players are very welcoming and love to share their knowledge and bring new players into the game.”

The sport has been rapidly gaining popularity, and pickleball's fascinating backstory and distinctive rules have greatly contributed to its broad appeal. Enjoy its entertaining and interactive style of play—it provides a thrilling and pleasurable experience for all who participate.