Pickleball is a popular racket sport that is played on a court similar to a badminton or tennis court. The game is played with a small, perforated plastic ball and wooden or composite paddles, and is a blend of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It is easy to learn and can be enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels.
A pickleball court is typically 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, with a net that is 36 inches high at the center and slopes down to 34 inches at the posts. The court is divided into two halves by the net, with a no-volley zone (also known as the “kitchen”) on each side that extends 7 feet from the net.
The pickleball court is marked with lines that indicate the playing areas and boundaries. The service line is located 7 feet from the net and is used as the starting point for serves. The baseline, which marks the back of the court, is 20 feet from the net. The doubles sideline, which marks the outer boundary of the court, is 17 feet from the net on each side.
Pickleball is typically played with two or four players, with singles or doubles games. In doubles play, the serving team is allowed to serve from anywhere on their side of the court. In singles play, the server must serve from the right-hand service court.
The ball is served diagonally, with the server hitting the ball from the right-hand service court to the left-hand service court on the opponent’s side. The ball must be hit underhand and must bounce on the opponent’s side of the court before it is returned. Players may not volley the ball within the no-volley zone, but may hit it after it has bounced on the ground.
The game is scored similar to tennis, with points awarded for each rally won. The first team to reach 11 points and lead by at least two points wins the game. Matches are typically played to the best of three games.
Pickleball is a fun and enjoyable sport that can be played on a variety of surfaces, including concrete, asphalt, grass, and specially designed pickleball courts. It is a great way to stay active and social, and can be played by people of all ages and skill levels. So, a pickleball court is a great addition to any community or recreational facility.