Pickleball 101

Pickleball is a fun and fast-paced game that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Here are some basic instructions for playing pickleball:

Equipment:

1. Pickleball Paddle: Similar to a large table tennis paddle but made of wood or composite materials.
2. Pickleball: A perforated plastic ball, similar to a wiffle ball but smaller.

Court Setup:

1. Court Dimensions: A pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long for doubles, and 20 feet by 22 feet for singles.
2. Court Lines: The court is marked with baselines, sidelines, and a non-volley zone (kitchen) that is 7 feet from the net.

Game Setup:

1. Serving: The game begins with an underhand serve. The server must stand behind the baseline and serve diagonally to the opponent's service court.
2. Double Bounce Rule: After the serve, each team must allow the ball to bounce once on their side before volleying (hitting the ball in the air).
3. Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen): Players cannot volley the ball while standing inside the non-volley zone unless the ball bounces there first.

Scoring:

1. Points: Points are scored only by the serving team.
2. Faults: A fault occurs if the ball is hit out of bounds, fails to clear the net, or if a player violates the double-bounce rule.

Serving:

1. Server Rotation: The server continues serving until they commit a fault, after which the serve passes to the opposing team.
2. Double Bounce Serve: The serve must also obey the double-bounce rule, bouncing once on the receiving side.

Winning:

1. Scoring System: Games are typically played to 11 points (win by 2).
2. Match: Matches are usually the best of three games.

Etiquette:

1. Calling the Score: The serving team should call out the score before each serve.
2. Sportsmanship: Pickleball is known for its friendly and inclusive nature, so good sportsmanship is encouraged.

Remember, these are just basic rules, and there may be additional variations or nuances depending on the level of play and local rules. It's always a good idea to familiarize yourself with any specific rules that may apply in the location where you are playing.