Pickleball is a racket sport that combines elements of other disciplines. Learn more in our in-depth article.
Among emerging sports, Pickleball occupies a prestigious position. The growth of this sport around the world has accelerated sharply during the pandemic; players have doubled in the space of just over a year, in the United States alone.
Let's add an element to better understand what Pickleball is: an emerging sport, yes, but not new. Why? To find out, we have to go back to 1965, precisely to Bainbridge Island, Washington.
Pickleball: The History
It all begins on a hot summer afternoon, when Joel Pritchard, a member of Congress, and Bill Bell, a successful businessman, return home from a day on the golf course. Their wives and children greet them bored, as if they had found nothing to do to while away the time.
The property had an old badminton court, and the two searched unsuccessfully for the equipment needed to play a game. Without the right rackets or shuttlecock, they set up shop with small rackets and a small, perforated ball.
A few days later, Barney McCallum joins the two friends, who tell him about this new game they have invented. Barney is impressed by the potential of the discipline, and gives his contribution by defining with Pritchard and Bell the rules of the newborn Pickleball.
Origin of the name
If you’re wondering why Pickleball is called that, the answer is in an English way, “ pickle boat .” This expression indicates the crew of a canoe, in rowing sports, composed exclusively of the discarded members of the main team.
Just like the “pickle boat”, the Pickle uses discarded elements borrowed from other sports and put together. The racket from ping pong, the net from badminton (although significantly lower) and so on.
Where is it played?
To play this discipline, you need to use a dedicated court. The dimensions of the playing field are 6.30 x 13.41 meters. The net is not perfectly taut, but 91.44 cm high at the ends and 86 cm in the center.
Each player has a similar racket of square shape and made of wood or composite materials. The balls are made of plastic and perforated, with a variable number of holes.
The basic rules
Although it may seem like a very simple game, don't be fooled: Pickleball is a discipline with complete and detailed rules.
In a nutshell, we can list some of the basic rules. Matches can be played in singles or doubles. Serves are played with a bottom-up motion. Points are awarded to the player who serves (no points are awarded on a change of serve). The first player to reach 11 points (with two points left) wins the match.
Fun fact: inside the court there is an area called the “kitchen” where volleys are not allowed. Pickleball is the only racket sport to have this feature.
A discipline truly for everyone
Why is pickleball so popular? It is a game suitable for everyone, which does not require expensive equipment. The field is smaller than those of padel and tennis: in the space normally occupied by the playing field of the latter, three Pickleball fields can be set up.
You don't need to have any particular skills or a lot of training to start: it can be played at any age and guarantees great fun even during the first games.
Pickleball was born by chance as a pastime almost sixty years ago and today its fame continues to grow. The only way to fully understand its power? Pick up a racket, book a court and get playing!
