Pickleball Basics

The Pickleball Basics

Pickleball is fun sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. Invented in 1965 in Bainbridge Island, near Seattle, Washington as a children's backyard game.

Can be played as doubles or singles, with a solid (hole-less) paddle and a plastic wiffle ball with 26 or 40 round holes. It is played indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis net (just two inches lower at the middle as the tennis net height) and can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels players.


How To Play Pickleball

Here is a link to learn all about the game of Pickleball:

Courtesy of USAPA (USA Pickleball Association)

https://usapickleball.org/what-is-pickleball/how-to-play/basics/

You’ll find a rules summary and information on the following topics:

  • Scoring & Position

  • Serving

  • Return of Serve

  • Dinks

  • Drop Shots

  • Groundstrokes

  • Volleys

  • Lobs

  • Overhead Smash

  • Judging Ball ‘In’ or ‘Out’

  • Tips for New Players

Skill Rating Definition:

Here is a link to the USAPA Player Skill Rating Definitions. Find out where you are in terms of skill level!

https://usapickleball.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/USAPA-Skill-Rating-Definitions-2020.pdf

Round-Robin Rules:

1. Typically games are doubles games to 11; win by 2 points. When eight or more players are waiting, games go to 9 points.

2. Play is first come, first served.

3. Waiting players stack their paddles to determine the next group to play when a court opens.

4. When a game finishes, players exit the court and stack their paddles at the end of the line to be in the queue for another game.

5. If there are only a few players waiting, variations in queuing are allowed, such as, winning team stays on the court and splits, and two new players join. If there are a lot of players waiting, then all 4 players come off the court and are replaced by 4 new players.

6. Players wishing to play together can stack their paddles toghether in the queue.

Player Etiquette and Safety Considerations:

  • Include new players and make them feel welcome.

  • Non-members seeking to play should be made welcome and encouraged to join SPC.

  • Don’t chase the ball onto another court. Be courteous and return other players’ balls that stray into and behind your court.
    If another team’s ball is in your court during play, for safety’s sake, stop your play and have the server re-serve.

  • Call out the score every time you serve.

  • If you or your partner is not sure if the ball is in or out, the call is always in favor of your opponent.

  • Good sportsmanship is the rule. Respect all players, and above all, have fun!