What is Pickleball?

If you're looking for a fun and exciting way to get fit, socialize, and challenge yourself both mentally and physically, you might want to consider giving pickleball a try. For me, pickleball was once only a high school indoor sport we would play a couple times a year. Now, it’s an obsession.

This surprisingly addictive sport is a combination of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, and can be played by people of all ages and skill levels. If you’ve heard someone mention pickleball over the last few weeks or months and been wondering what it’s all about, this might be for you.

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The History of Pickleball

Origins and Founders

Pickleball was invented in the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by a group of friends who were looking for a new activity to entertain their families.

The founders include three dads: Joel Pritchard, a congressman from Washington state, William Bell, a successful businessman, and Barney McCallum, a local politician. They wanted to create a game that would be accessible to everyone, regardless of age or skill level, and that could be played both indoors and outdoors.

If you’re looking for some more information, visit History of Pickleball.

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The Evolution of the Game

Over the years, pickleball has evolved and become more popular both nationally and internationally. Today, there are millions of players in the United States alone, and the sport has been recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

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According to a report done by Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), pickleball now has up to 8.9 million players in the US alone.

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Pickleball combines the best elements of various sports, such as the agility required for badminton, the strategy of ping pong, and the power of tennis.

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Pickleball's Growing Popularity

Pickleball has grown so much over the last few years for a couple of reasons. For starters, it's a low-impact sport that is easy on the joints and muscles, making it a great choice for seniors and people with injuries. Don’t let that fool you though; pickleball isn’t simply an old mans’ game. It's also a sport that can be played year-round, whether indoors or outdoors, making it a perfect alternative to other sports that are seasonal. Moreover, pickleball is known for its social atmosphere, and it's a great way to meet new people and make friends.

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It's grown so much that there's some serious money that can be made at the professional level. There's both a team-based league, Major League Pickleball, as well as individual-based tours, Professional Tour of Pickleball hosted by the PPA and the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) Tour. If all of that sounds confusing, don't worry... it is. I made a more in-depth guide that breaks down how the professional landscape of pickleball came to be - What is Major League Pickleball?

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We've pulled together some fascinating statistics about pickleball in 2023. Read about it here.

If you're looking for a place to play, check out or Play page for a list of useful resources regarding where to play pickleball.

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Understanding the Basics of Pickleball

The Court and Equipment

Pickleball is played on a court that is similar in size to a badminton court and is divided into two halves by a net. The court is 44 feet long and 20 feet wide for doubles play and 22 feet wide for singles play.

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Players use a paddle to hit a wiffle ball over the net and into the opponent's court. The pickleball paddle is similar to a table tennis paddle, but larger and with a shorter handle. The ball used in pickleball is lightweight and has holes, making it slower and easier to hit than a regular tennis ball.

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If you're wondering about some more differences between pickleball and tennis, we wrote about it - Key Differences Between Pickleball and Tennis

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Scoring and Rules

Pickleball is played either in doubles or singles, with doubles more common of the two. The scoring system is similar to that of volleyball, where points are awarded only to the team that served, otherwise known as rally scoring. The first team to reach 11 points with a two-point lead wins the game. In case of a tie, the game goes into overtime, and the first team to reach two points more than the other wins.

It’s honestly a pretty easy game to learn. You can learn after playing for about 15 minutes and feel comfortable and instinctive after an afternoon of playing.

If you’re looking for a resource to get you started, we’ve got a How to Play article. It will set up the court, run through some principle rules, then share some hypotheticals & tips.

There are a couple of weird rules such as the kitchen and the double bounce. After playing for an afternoon, I promise these will feel like second nature.

The Double Bounce Rule

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The Kitchen (No Volley Zone)

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Player Positions and Strategies

Each team has two players for doubles play, one at the back of the court and one at the front near the net. The server is the player at the back of the court, and play starts with the serve. The player at the front of the court is responsible for blocking shots and making volleys, while the player at the back takes care of groundstrokes and smashes. Pickleball has different strategies that players can use, such as lobbing the ball over the opponent's head, dinking the ball softly across the net, and smashing the ball hard for a winner shot. Generally speaking, the goal is to come to the net. This is different than tennis, from which it’s common that both players are hitting groundstrokes from behind the baseline.

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Health Benefits of Playing Pickleball

Physical Fitness and Endurance

Pickleball is an excellent workout that improves your cardiovascular health, balance, and coordination. Playing pickleball can help you burn calories, increase endurance and stamina, and develop strength in your upper body and legs. It's also an excellent way to improve your reflexes, speed, and agility and can help you maintain a healthy weight.

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Mental Health and Social Interaction

Pickleball is a social sport that promotes mental health and well-being. It's a great way to meet new people of all ages, make friends and build a sense of community. Pickleball can help alleviate feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression and can help boost your self-esteem and confidence. It also provides a healthy outlet for stress and can be a great way to unwind after a long day. I’ve found my overall mood to be better after even 30 minutes of time at my local courts in Raleigh, NC.

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Injury Prevention and Safety Tips

Like any sport, pickleball has risks associated with it. Some of the most common pickleball injuries include knee problems, ankle sprains, and shoulder injuries. To prevent these injuries, it's essential to wear appropriate shoes and gear, warm up and stretch before playing, and hydrate throughout the game. It's also crucial to listen to your body and not overexert yourself.

I’m a relatively young guy (29), but have already dealt with my fair share of injuries, most recently back pain. While I’m not a doctor or physical therapist, after 6 months of going to PT to deal with some nagging sciatica, I’ve learned how important dynamic stretches are prior to pickleball/exercise and static stretches are post pickleball/exercise.

If you’re looking for a great physical therapy resource on YouTube, I highly recommend checking out Bob & Brad (the two most famous physical therapists... on the internet). They (and my PT) helped cure my back to allow me to play pickleball and perform other athletic activities.

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How to Get Started with Pickleball

Finding a Local Pickleball Community

If you're interested in playing pickleball, the first step is to find a local community. You can do this by searching online. You can find a list of courts near you on our Play page. IF you can't find one there, we recommend Pickleheads. They're another great resource to help you find a court near you.

You can also check with your local sports center, gym or recreation center and reach out to any local pickleball clubs or organizations for more information, as they often organize events and tournaments for players of all levels.

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Essential Gear for Beginners

If you're a beginner, you'll need some basic gear to get started, including a pickleball paddle, balls, and appropriate footwear. You can purchase gear from sporting goods stores, online retailers, or borrow from a local pickleball club (ex. your local YMCA). If you need more assistance with those decisions, we’ve got a Buyers guide that may help you get started. It's the guide I wish I had when I first started playing. I also recommend wearing comfortable athletic clothing that allow you to move freely.

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Tips for Improving Your Skills

It’s no secret. The best way to get better is by….. playing. Get out to your local courts and play. Play against more experienced players and watch their techniques and strategies. Watch how they work on their forehand, backhand, and volley. Where do they position themselves?

At some point down the road, we’re going to put together some drill resources for those who are really interested in taking their game to the next level.

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Don’t forget to have fun. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the US for a reason. It’s insanely addicting.

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What Should I Do Next?

If you’re completely new to the sport and need some help getting started, I’d recommend you take a look at How to Play Pickleball.

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If you’re looking to snag your first paddle, we’ve got recommendations for the best pickleball paddle for beginners as well as the best pickleball paddle set. Either option may suit you perfectly. You can also visit your local sporting goods store, whom all carry paddles now.

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