Pickleball 101: Rules, Tips, and Why Everyone’s Loving This Sport


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Pickleball blends the best of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong into one exciting, social, and easy-to-learn game. Whether you’re new to the court or looking to sharpen your skills, here’s a clear breakdown of the essential rules—the way players love it in the US and beyond.

I. The Basics

1. Court Size & Players

  • The court is 13.4m long and 6.1m wide—the same for both singles and doubles.
  • Doubles (4 players) is the most popular format, but singles is just as fun!

2. Serving

  • Swing Motion: Serve underhand—contact the ball below your waist, with the paddle head below your wrist.
  • Foot Position: Keep at least one foot behind the baseline; don’t step on or over the line during contact.
  • Serve Placement: Aim diagonally into the opposite service box. The ball can land on the line (in!), and if it hits the net and goes over (a “let”), play continues—no re-serve.
  • Faults: Only one serve attempt per point. Missed serves result in a side-out or loss of point.

3. Two-Bounce Rule

  • After the serve, the returning team must let the ball bounce once.
  • Then, the serving team must also let it bounce once before hitting it back.
  • After these two bounces, you can volley the ball (hit it in the air) or play it off the bounce.

4. No-Volley Zone (“The Kitchen”)

  • This is a 7-foot (2.13m) zone on both sides of the net.
  • You cannot volley (hit the ball in the air) while standing in the kitchen.
  • Stepping into the kitchen after volleying is also a fault.

II. Scoring & Match Format

1. Scoring

  • Pickleball uses rally scoring—points can be won each rally.
  • Singles: Score is called as “Serving Player Score – Receiving Player Score.”
  • Doubles: Three numbers are used (e.g., 8-6-2 means the serving team has 8, receivers have 6, and it’s the second server’s turn).

2. Winning a Game

  • Most matches are best of three games to 11 points (must win by 2).
  • If the score reaches 10-10, play continues until one team leads by 2.

3. Common Faults

  • Serving out of bounds
  • Not clearing the net
  • Volleying from the kitchen
  • Hitting the ball out
  • Double bounce (not allowing the required bounces)
  • Touching the net or net post with body or paddle

III. Serving Order & Positioning

1. Doubles Serving

  • The first serve of the game is from the right side.
  • After each point, the server switches sides.
  • When the serving team loses a point, the serve moves to the opponents. Both players on a team serve until they fault (except at the start of the game).

2. Singles Serving

  • Serve from the right side when your score is even, and from the left when it’s odd.

IV. Pro Tips for Beginners

  • Try a bounce serve (dropping and hitting the ball after a bounce) for better control.
  • Always be mindful of the kitchen—it’s easy to step in accidentally during volleys!
  • Rally scoring keeps the game fast and engaging—perfect for social play and quick learning.
  • Master the two-bounce and no-volley rules, and you’re already halfway to having great rallies!

Grab a paddle, find a court, and experience the fun yourself!
Feel free to share your pickleball stories or questions below 👇

#PickleballRules #PickleballForBeginners #PlayPickleball #PickleballTips #SportsGuide


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The World’s Premier Pickleball Championships: A Global Tour Guide


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Pickleball has exploded into a worldwide phenomenon, and elite tournaments are where the sport’s finest athletes compete for glory. Whether you’re an avid player or an excited spectator, here’s your guide to the can’t-miss international events—where power, precision, and passion take center stage.

🏆 1. World Pickleball Championship (WPC)

Organized by Pickleball Global, the WPC stands as one of the most prestigious tournaments on the international circuit. This thrilling series spans twelve stops across Asia and Australia, culminating in a grand finale where the year’s top 24 ranked players face off for the global title.

Mark your calendars: the Hong Kong Stop—serving as the Asian finale—will take place December 5–7, 2025, at the Discovery Bay Recreation Club. Expect fierce competition and world-class athleticism as elite contenders descend on this stunning venue.

🇺🇸 2. PPA Tour North American Series

Run by the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), this tour brings high-energy matchups to iconic venues across the United States—from the Orlando PPA Challenge to the Villas Cincinnati Showcase.

The tournaments welcome both amateurs and professionals, with the pro division featuring an intense knockout format. Select matches are live-streamed, and tickets are available for fans who want to experience the action courtside!

🇦🇺 3. Australian Pickleball Championships

Held annually from September to October on the sunny Gold Coast, this is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest pickleball gathering. With more than 230 events—including age-group, adaptive, and hearing impairment categories—this inclusive championship unites over 1,500 players of all ages and skill levels.

A total prize pool of AUD 30,000 adds extra intensity to the matches, drawing competitors from around the globe to one of Australia’s most scenic locations.

🇨🇦 4. Canadian Pickleball Open

As a highlight of the United Pickleball Association (UPA) International Championship Series, this event showcases top-tier talent in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. The world’s best are expected to compete when the tournament serves off in September 2025 in Toronto.

Exact dates are still to be announced—follow official UPA channels for the latest updates and ticket information!

👀 Why Follow These Tournaments?

From emerging regional stars to established pros, these championships represent the pinnacle of modern pickleball. Whether you tune in online or join the crowds in person, you’ll witness incredible skill, sportsmanship, and non-stop excitement.


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Pickleball Slang You Need Know


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Pickleball Slang You Need to Know 🥒🎾

Ready to sound like a pickleball pro? Learn these essential slang terms that everyone uses on the court!


🍿 Paddle Pop
You go for a powerful smash… but whoops! The ball hits the paddle and pops straight up into the air—just like popcorn.
That’s a Paddle Pop! It usually happens when you’re rushing or your paddle isn’t steady. Most common near the kitchen, where an easy ball can quickly turn into your opponent’s winning shot.
👉 New to the game? Don’t worry—it happens to everyone. Stay calm and keep a consistent swing!

👣 Foot Fault
Stepping into the kitchen (the non-volley zone) during a volley is one of the most common—and sneaky—fouls.
Yes, even if just your toe touches the line. Stay behind that kitchen line until the ball bounces!

😈 Dinkaholic
Meet the patient players who love the soft game. They’re not all about power—they’re all about placement.
These dinkaholics love hanging out at the net, dinking shot after shot until you finally make a mistake.
For them, a 10-shot rally is a thing of beauty.

💥 Banger
Then there are the Bangers—aggressive players who hit hard, fast, and flat. No fancy stuff.
They’re all about power, often hanging back rather than approaching the net.
It’s high-risk, high-reward: when their shots land in, they’re winners. When they don’t… well, you know.

🦘 Split Step
This little move is a game-changer.
Right before your opponent hits the ball, you make a small hop and land lightly on your feet. This helps you react quickly in any direction.
It’s a small step with a big impact—used by almost all advanced players!

🎯 Drive
drive is a fast, low, and straight shot that’s meant to push your opponent back and break their rhythm.
It’s often used in mid-court or backcourt situations—great for counter-attacking or catching opponents off guard.
A well-placed drive can win the point. A poorly executed one? Easy point for the other team.


There you have it—some of the most common pickleball slang that’ll help you understand the game (and the chatter) like a pro.

Which type of player are you: a Dinkaholic or a Banger? Let us know in the comments! 👇



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About Pickleball


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What is Pickleball? And How Did It Get Its Funny Name?

So, you’ve heard of pickleball — the sport that’s sweeping across the U.S. and beyond. But what exactly is it? And where did that quirky name come from? Let’s clear things up!

Contrary to what some may think, “pickle” has nothing to do with “PEAK” — it’s not a phonetic translation. And no, the sport isn’t named because someone really loved pickles 🥒.

So why is it called pickleball? Well, there’s a fun story behind.

The Origins of Pickleball

Back in 1965, on Bainbridge Island near Washington state, three dads — Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — wanted to set up a game of badminton for their kids. But they couldn’t find all the equipment. So, they got creative!

They used a perforated plastic ball (the kind you might find in a toy store), lowered a badminton net to about waist height, and crafted some simple paddles out of plywood. They blended rules from tennis, badminton, and ping pong — and just like that, a new sport was born!

Both kids and adults loved it. The game was easy to learn, super fun, and didn’t require a lot of space or expensive gear. Word spread fast, and what started as a backyard invention soon became a nationwide phenomenon.

So… Why the Name “Pickleball”?

Here’s where it gets interesting 🐕.

One popular story claims the game was named after the Pritchards’ dog, Pickles, who would chase after the ball. Cute — but not quite true!

In reality, Pickles the dog came after the game had already been named. Joan Pritchard (Joel’s wife) later explained that the name actually came from the term “pickle boat.”

In rowing, a “pickle boat” refers to the last boat to return to port — often filled with a mixed crew or leftover oarsmen from other teams. It’s all about thrown-together fun rather than fierce competition.

And that’s exactly what early pickleball was: a wonderful mix of different sports — a little badminton, a bit of tennis, some ping pong — all “pickled” together into something new and delightful.

How Do You Play Pickleball?

Pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court with a low net, a plastic ball with holes, and solid paddles.

Here’s a quick rundown of the rules:

🎾 The Ball & Court

  • The ball is similar to a wiffle ball: lightweight, plastic, with 26 holes.
  • The court is 20×44 feet — the same as a doubles badminton court.

🏓 Serving

  • Serve must be underhand.
  • Contact with the ball must be made below the waist.
  • The server must keep both feet behind the baseline.
  • The ball must land in the diagonal service court without touching the non-volley zone (the “kitchen”).

🔁 Serving Order & Switching Sides

  • A coin toss decides who serves or picks a side first.
  • Players switch sides after each game.

Singles vs. Doubles

  • Singles: One vs. one. Server switches sides after each point they win.
  • Doubles: Two vs. two. Each player on a team gets a chance to serve until they fault — except at the very first serve of the game, where only one player serves.

📊 Scoring

  • Games are usually played to 11 points, win by 2.
  • You can only score points when your team is serving.

❌ Common Faults

  • Hitting the ball out of bounds.
  • Stepping into the non-volley zone (“the kitchen”) and volleying.
  • Not letting the ball bounce once on each side after the serve (double-bounce rule).
  • Serving into the net or out of bounds.

#Pickleball #PickleballRules #WhatIsPickleball #PickleballOrigin #SportsExplained #PickleballForBeginners


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