What is Pickleball

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, combining elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Played on a smaller court with a paddle and a perforated plastic ball, pickleball is easy to learn, fun to play, and accessible to people of all ages and skill levels.

The Basics of Pickleball

Pickleball is typically played as either singles (one player per side) or doubles (two players per side). The game takes place on a 6.1m x 13.4m (20ft x 44ft) court, which is about a quarter the size of a tennis court. Players use a paddle, which is larger than a table tennis paddle but smaller than a tennis racket, and a lightweight plastic ball with holes, similar to a wiffle ball.

How Pickleball is Played

  • Serving: The game begins with an underhand serve that must be hit diagonally across the court into the opponent's service box.
  • Double Bounce Rule: The ball must bounce once on each side before players can begin volleying (hitting the ball in the air without a bounce).
  • The Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone): Players cannot volley the ball while standing in the non-volley zone, also known as "the kitchen," a 2.1m (7ft) area on either side of the net.
  • Scoring: Games are typically played to 11 points, with players needing to win by at least two points. Only the serving team can score points.

History of Pickleball

You’ll be wondering why it’s called pickleball. Nothing to do with pickling vegetables. Pickleball was invented by three friends in the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island, which is a ferry ride from Seattle, in Washington State in America. The three men, one of whom was Washington State Congressman Joel Pritchard, wanted to create a game that would entertain bored kids, and that the whole family could play together. The story goes that a family dog, Pickle, kept chasing after the ball and taking it into the bushes. That was "Pickle's ball". The sport then became known as 'pickleball'. 

There's an alternative version of pickleball's history which suggests that the name was inspired by a rowing term, 'pickle boat'. That's a boat made up of spare or borrowed oarsmen from other crews. Pritchard’s wife, Joan, who was a competitive rower, thought that 'pickleball' was an appropriate name because the game borrowed from other sports.

Why is Pickleball So Popular?

Pickleball has gained immense popularity due to its accessibility and social nature. It is easy to pick up for beginners but offers plenty of skill development for experienced players. The smaller court size reduces the amount of running required, making it a great low-impact sport for all ages. Additionally, the game promotes social interaction and can be played both recreationally and competitively.

Equipment Needed to Play

To get started with pickleball, you'll need:

  • A pickleball paddle
  • A pickleball (plastic ball with holes)
  • A pickleball net
  • Court shoes for stability and grip

At PickleballSupplies.co.nz, we provide high-quality paddles, balls, nets, and accessories to help you enjoy the game to the fullest. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced player, we have everything you need to get started or improve your game.

The Pickleball Court

The Scoring

The first player or team to 11 points wins, but you have to be ahead by at least two points. You can only score points when you or your team are serving. The first server in a team continues serving until they make a mistake or fault, and then the second server in the team serves until they make a mistake. Then the other team gets to serve. When you’re calling the score, you say the server’s score first, then the receiver’s score and if you’re playing doubles, you then say either one or two depending on which server is starting the point.

Where to Play Pickleball in New Zealand

Pickleball is growing rapidly across New Zealand, with clubs, community centers, and recreation facilities introducing courts nationwide. The NZ Pickleball Association website is a great resource for locating places to play pickleball, certified coaches, and trainers.