Pickleball is a fun and easy sport that anyone can enjoy; it combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, and can be played indoors or outdoors on a court similar to a badminton court. Pickleball also is a great way to stay active, socialize, and have fun.
In this blog post, we will explain the basic rules and equipment of pickleball, as well as some tips and strategies to improve your game. We will also talk about The Trails Rec Center’s pickleball classes, where you can learn from our experienced instructors and meet other players of your level.
What You Need to Play Pickleball
To play pickleball, you will need the following equipment:
- A pickleball paddle: A pickleball paddle is similar to a table tennis paddle, but larger and sturdier. It is usually made of wood or composite materials, and has a perforated surface to reduce wind resistance. Pickleball paddles come in different sizes, shapes, and weights, so you can choose one that suits your preference and skill level. You can buy or rent a pickleball paddle at the rec center, or bring your own if you have one.
- A pickleball ball: A pickleball ball is a plastic ball with holes in it, similar to a whiffle ball. It is designed to fly slower and bounce lower than a tennis ball, making it easier to control and rally. Pickleball balls come in different colors and sizes, depending on whether you are playing indoors or outdoors. You can buy or rent a pickleball ball at the rec center, or bring your own if you have one.
- A pickleball court: A pickleball court is a rectangular area measuring 20 feet by 44 feet, divided by a net that is 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches high at the center. The court has two service areas on each side, separated by a centerline, and a 7-foot non-volley zone (also known as the kitchen) in front of the net on both sides. The court lines are usually marked with tape or paint, and the net is usually supported by portable posts or attached to existing structures. You can reserve a pickleball court at the rec center, or find one at a nearby park or school.
How to Play Pickleball
Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles, but doubles is more common and more fun. The basic rules of pickleball are as follows:
- The serve: The serve is made diagonally crosscourt, from behind the baseline, using an underhand or backhand motion. The paddle must contact the ball below the waist, and the paddle head must be below the wrist at the moment of contact. The serve must clear the net and land in the opposite service area, without touching the non-volley zone line.
- Only one serve attempt is allowed per server, unless the ball touches the net and lands in the service area, in which case it is a let and the serve is replayed. The server switches sides after each point, and serves until a fault is committed. A fault is any action that stops play, such as hitting the ball out of bounds, into the net, or into the non-volley zone on the serve.
- The first serve of each game is made from the right side of the court, and only one player on the serving team gets to serve before the serve passes to the receiving team. After that, both players on the serving team get a chance to serve and score points, until they both commit a fault. The receiving team then becomes the serving team, and so on.
- The double-bounce rule: The double-bounce rule means that the ball must bounce once on each side before any player can hit it in the air (volley). This applies to the serve and the return of serve, as well as any subsequent shots in the rally. The double-bounce rule prevents players from rushing to the net and dominating the game with volleys. It also encourages longer and more strategic rallies.
- The non-volley zone: The non-volley zone, or the kitchen, is the area within 7 feet of the net on both sides of the court. No player can hit the ball in the air (volley) while standing in or touching the non-volley zone, unless the ball bounces in the zone first. This rule prevents players from smashing the ball at close range and ending the rally too quickly. It also creates a safe space for players to move and position themselves near the net. However, players can enter the non-volley zone to hit the ball after it bounces, or to return to their side of the court after a volley. They just have to make sure that they do not touch the non-volley zone or the line while volleying, or while the ball is in the air.
- The scoring: Points are scored only by the serving team, when the receiving team commits a fault. The game is usually played to 11 points, and the winning team must win by 2 points. Some tournaments or matches may use different scoring formats, such as playing to 15 or 21 points, or using rally scoring (where points are scored by either team on every rally).
Tips and Strategies to Improve Your Game
Pickleball is a sport that requires skill, strategy, and teamwork. Here are some tips and strategies to help you improve your game and have more fun:
- Serve with consistency and placement: The serve is the most important shot in pickleball, as it starts the rally and gives you the opportunity to score points. You want to serve with consistency and placement, meaning that you can hit the ball over the net and into the service area every time, and that you can aim for different spots on the court to keep your opponents guessing. You don’t need to serve with a lot of power or spin, as that can increase your chances of making errors or hitting the ball out of bounds. Instead, focus on hitting the ball low and deep, and vary your direction and angle. You can also try to serve to your opponent’s weaker side, or to the middle of the court to create confusion between the partners.
- Return the serve with control and depth: The return of serve is the second most important shot in pickleball, as it sets up the rally and allows you to get to the net. You want to return the serve with control and depth, meaning that you can hit the ball over the net and into the court every time, and that you can hit the ball deep enough to prevent your opponents from volleying. You don’t need to return the serve with a lot of power or spin, as that can also increase your chances of making errors or hitting the ball out of bounds. Instead, focus on hitting the ball high and deep, and aim for the center of the court or the baseline. You can also try to return the serve to your opponent’s weaker side, or to the middle of the court to create confusion between the partners.
- Get to the net as soon as possible: The net is the strongest position in pickleball, as it gives you more angles and options to hit the ball, and makes it harder for your opponents to hit the ball past you. You want to get to the net as soon as possible, after the serve and the return of serve have bounced. You and your partner should move together, side by side, and cover the whole width of the court. You should also stay close to the non-volley zone line, but not touch it or step into it while volleying. You can also try to anticipate your opponent’s shots, and move forward or backward, left or right, to cut off the ball and hit a winning shot.
- Hit the ball low and soft: The key to winning rallies in pickleball is to hit the ball low and soft, meaning that you hit the ball below the net level and with enough speed to clear the net, but not too much to give your opponents an easy shot. You want to hit the ball low and soft, especially when you are at the net, as it forces your opponents to hit the ball up and gives you a chance to volley or smash the ball. You can also hit the ball low and soft when you are at the baseline, as it makes it harder for your opponents to get to the net. You can use different strokes to hit the ball low and soft, such as the dink, the drop shot, the lob, or the slice.
- Communicate and cooperate with your partner: Pickleball is a team sport, and you need to communicate and cooperate with your partner to win. You want to communicate and cooperate with your partner, especially when you are at the net, as it helps you avoid collisions, confusion, and gaps. You can use verbal or non-verbal cues to signal your partner, such as calling the ball, pointing, nodding, or eye contact. You can also use positive feedback, encouragement, and compliments to motivate your partner and boost your morale. You can also try to adapt to your partner’s style, strengths, and weaknesses, and play as a unit.
How to Join Our Pickleball Classes at the Trails Rec Center
If you want to learn more about pickleball, or improve your skills and strategies, you can join one of our pickleball classes! We offer pickleball classes for all levels, from beginners to advanced players, taught by our experienced instructors. You can choose from different types of classes, such as:
- Start New, Finish on Top is our intro to pickleball class. It’s for absolute pickleball beginners who want to learn the basic rules and skills of pickleball. You will learn how to serve, return, volley, and score, as well as some tips and tricks to get started.
- Squeeze the Juice pickleball is for players with a 2.0-2.5 rating. This class is for players who have some basic knowledge and experience of pickleball, but want to improve their skills and strategies. You will learn how to hit different strokes, such as the dink, the drop shot, the lob, and the slice, as well as how to move and position yourself on the court. You will also practice playing with different partners and opponents, and learn how to communicate and cooperate with your partner.
- Our intermediate pickleball class – called Movin’ on Up – is for players who have a good level of skill and confidence in pickleball, but want to take their game to the next level. You will learn how to refine your strokes, such as adding power, spin, and placement, as well as how to develop your tactics and strategies, such as attacking, defending, and switching. You will also play competitive games and drills with other players of your level, and get feedback and tips from the instructor.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this blog post, and learned something new about pickleball. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please feel free to contact us or leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you.
