Today, however, pickleball has evolved to a whole new level. With dedicated courts and organized leagues, pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. But it can be difficult to stay competitive without the proper equipment.

Even though pickleball requires minimal equipment, choosing the right paddle, balls, and gear can be confusing—especially if you’re new to the sport. But don’t worry. We put together this comprehensive guide to pickleball equipment so you can know exactly what you need to make the most of your experience.

Choosing Your Pickleball Paddle

Pickleball paddles were originally improvised out of plywood, but modern paddles are much lighter, sturdier, and easier to play with. A pickleball paddle is a cross between a tennis racquet and a ping pong paddle. They are made primarily of lightweight composite materials such as aluminum and graphite. Your paddle is the most important piece of pickleball equipment, and there are three main factors to consider when choosing yours.

Want to jump right to pickleball paddle reviews? Click here.

Factor #1 – Paddle Weight

Many pickleball instructors agree that weight should be a player’s priority when deciding what kind of paddle to use. Pickleball paddles range from six to 14 ounces. This may not seem like a big discrepancy, but after a few games you can tell the difference. Pickleball involves a lot of arm movement, and swinging a paddle that’s too heavy or too light can lead to injuries such as tennis elbow or shoulder strains.

“The rotator cuff tendons can get irritated as they rub against the undersurface of the acromion with overhead motions while playing [pickleball],” says Dr. David Geier, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, SC. “The bursa between the acromion and the tendons can get inflamed, causing shoulder pain.”

If you’re a beginner, you should start with a mid-weight paddle (7.3 to 8.4 ounces). This will allow you to determine your personal preference and style of play.

Lightweight paddles (less than 7.3 ounces) offer increased control and put less stress on shoulders and elbows, but can reduce the power of your shot.

Heavyweight paddles (8.5 ounces or more) give players more power when serving or volleying. Heavier paddles require less effort to hit the ball, but the extra weight can take a toll on your shoulders and elbows.

Factor #2 – Paddle Grip Size

Playing pickleball with the wrong grip size is like running in shoes that don’t fit. If you’re not sure what size grip you need, the easiest way to decide is to base it off your height.

If you’re 5’2” or shorter: use a 4” grip

If you’re 5’3” to 5’8”: use a 4 ⅛” to 4 ¼” grip

If you’re 5’9 or taller: use a 4 ½” grip

A more exact way to determine your grip size is to measure your hand with a ruler. With your hand open, measure the distance between the middle crease in your palm and the tip of your ring finger. That distance is your grip size.

Factor #3 – Paddle Price

While price often becomes the most important factor for new pickleball players, it should actually be one of the least important factors. After all, it’s no good to save money if you end up with a paddle that doesn’t fit your hand, or worse, breaks because it’s cheap.

Pickleball paddles can range anywhere from $15 to $150 or more. If you’re a beginner, we recommend looking looking for a composite or graphite (not wood) paddle in the $35 to $50 range.

The Two Types of Pickleballs

In the early days of pickleball, the sport was played with a Wiffle ball. But as the game evolved, players realized they could improve their experience with dedicated pickleballs. Generally speaking, pickleballs are hollow plastic balls with holes. However, there are subtle differences between indoor and outdoor pickleballs.

Let’s take a look at both varieties.

Outdoor Pickleballs

If you’re playing on an outdoor court, you’ll want to make sure you have outdoor pickleballs on hand. Outdoor pickleballs are made of harder plastic than indoor pickleballs. They also have smaller holes which minimize the effect of wind.

For the most part, outdoor pickleballs have a similar consistency, although some are molded with a softer plastic compound which are generally preferred by casual players who want a slower game.

You can buy a three-pack of outdoor pickleballs for around $10.

Indoor Pickleballs

Weather won’t allow you to play pickleball outside? No problem. Indoor pickleballs are designed specifically to be used on wood or other indoor surfaces. The main difference is weight, as indoor pickleballs are slightly lighter than outdoor ones. Indoor pickleballs have larger holes, since there’s no need to combat wind.

A three-pack will run you about $10.

A Note On Pickleball Colors

Pro tip: Before you buy any pickleballs, consider what color court you’ll be playing on. Make sure you buy pickleballs that are the opposite shade of the court. Otherwise, it can be easy to lose sight of the all.

For example, if you’re on a dark court, you’ll want light-colored pickleballs and vice versa. If you want to be safe, buy a variety pack of colors.

Pickleball Shoes

One of the most common questions for new pickleball players is: What kind of shoes should I wear? This decision is just as important as choosing a paddle, since your shoes will impact your ability to move around the court as well as the health of your joints.

As of 2019, there aren’t any shoes designed specifically for pickleball. However, there are plenty of shoes available that are conducive to pickleball courts and the moves you’ll be making on them. But before exploring what those are, you need to know what shoes not to wear.

DO NOT wear running shoes, walking shoes, cross training shoes, or any other shoes that aren’t designated “court shoes.” These types of shoes are built for forward motion only, meaning the tread isn’t designed to handle the lateral movement that pickleball requires. This can lead to serious injuries to your feet, ankles, achilles tendon, or knees.

Outdoor Pickleball Shoes

If you play most of your pickleball on outdoor courts, it’s best to wear tennis shoes.

Note that a tennis shoe IS THE SAME as an outdoor pickleball shoe. This is because pickleball and tennis have the same exact movements, on the same surface. For the most part, a “pickleball” branded shoe is a way to scam money for the uninformed.

Tennis shoes have several features that are advantageous for pickleball players:

• Outsoles designed to support lateral cutting
• Ankle support to prevent rolling
• Stiff toe box to allow toe drag during volleys
• Balance of support and flexibility

You can find tennis shoes at most sporting goods stores and countless websites. Depending on the brand and style, prices for tennis shoes can range anywhere from $50 to $150 or more.

Since outdoor pickleball courts are made of asphalt or concrete, your soles can wear down quickly. Accordingly, you should look to replace your shoes every 60 hours of play to maintain their stability.

Indoor Pickleball Shoes

Nearly all indoor pickleball courts are made of hardwood (or material that resembles hardwood). These courts tend to be more slippery than outdoor courts, which means you’ll need a different type of shoe to give you optimum mobility.

Many indoor pickleball players prefer to wear volleyball shoes on indoor courts, for a few reasons:

• Fantastic grip on hardwood courts
• Supports both lateral and horizontal movement
• Stability to preserve muscles and joints
• Lightweight design

Just like tennis shoes, volleyball shoes can be found at sporting goods stores or online, with a similar price range ($50-$150).

Pickleball Gloves

If the weather gets too cold, gripping your pickleball paddle can be a pain. If the weather gets too hot, your paddle can easily slip out of your sweaty hand. The solution? Pickleball gloves.

As pickleball has risen in popularity, so has the demand for better grip. Accordingly, many racquet and paddle sport brands have developed gloves designed specifically for pickleball. These pickleball gloves have a few distinct features:

• Reduction of friction, which leads to blisters
• Padding to prevent hand fatigue
• Grips to keep the paddle steady when playing
• Adjustable wrist strap for comfort

Some pickleball gloves have half-finger coverage, while others cover your fingers entirely. This is just a matter of personal preference.

Pickleball gloves are typically very affordable (around $10). Gloves aren’t essential for playing pickleball, but they can come in handy if you struggle with blisters or just want some extra support.

Pickleball Bags

If you’re travelling to a game or simply don’t want to lug around your pickleball paddles, balls, and other gear, you’re in luck: There are bags designed specifically for pickleball players. Whether you need a small sling to carry your paddle or a roomy bag to carry more, here are a few options.

Sling Bag

Sling bags are the most popular type of bag for pickleball players. They’re not too cumbersome and have just enough space for a couple of paddles, balls, water bottle, and personal items.

Duffel Bag

If you need to bring more than just the basics to your next pickleball match, a duffel bag is your best option. The larger interior will give you enough space for 4-6 paddles, shoes, clothes, and towels along with compartments for your phone and keys.

Backpack

If comfort and convenience are most important to you, a backpack will be the ideal way to carry your pickleball equipment. While backpacks don’t usually have as much room as a duffel bag, they are much easier to keep your equipment and clothes organized with compartments and zippers.

When In Doubt, Ask for Advice

Lightweight paddle or heavyweight paddle?

Tennis shoes or volleyball shoes?

Gloves or no gloves?

Even though pickleball is a straightforward sport, there are still nuances to consider, especially when it comes to equipment. Like any sport, deciding what to buy (or not to buy) when you’re new to the game can be puzzling. There are countless brands and websites that offer advice, but your best bet is to start with a mid-weight paddle, the proper shoes, and a few pickleballs for whichever type of court you’re playing on.

If you’re unsure, you can also talk with a local instructor or an experienced player to determine what equipment is best for you.

Whatever pickleball equipment you end up with, just be glad you don’t have to play with makeshift plywood paddles and an old Wiffle ball like they did in the old days!

Tell us: Besides your paddle, what is your favorite piece of pickleball equipment? Let us know in the comments. 

The post The Ultimate Guide to Pickleball Equipment appeared first on Your Pickleball Club.

Whether you heard about pickleball from friends, read about it online, or saw people playing and got curious, you’re probably wondering how to get in on the action. Good news: you only need a few pieces of pickleball equipment, and the game is suitable for players of all ages. Not to mention, it’s a simple sport that can be learned in just a few minutes.

If you’ve never picked up a pickleball paddle before, you might have some hesitations: I don’t have any experience. What if I can’t get the hang of it? How much will I have to practice?

Don’t get hung up on the what-ifs. For now, the most important thing is to get out there, pick up a paddle, and play. You’ll quickly discover that pickleball is a social game that comes naturally—even to beginners.

But before you start your next (or first) match, check out this comprehensive beginner’s guide to playing pickleball.

Getting Familiar With the Pickleball Court

Before diving into the rules and strategies of pickleball, you’ll need to know what you’re working with. Accordingly, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the court ahead of time.

Pickleball can be played on a retrofitted tennis court, badminton court, or a dedicated pickleball court. The court is 20 feet by 44 feet and the layout is similar to that of a tennis court, but without alleys. The net is hung at 36 inches on the ends of the court and 34 inches at the center.

Both sides of the net have a seven-foot no-volley zone (also called the “kitchen”) which extends the width of the court. The remainder of the court is divided in half by service lines. Don’t worry—we’ll explain the rationale for these areas later on.

Start With the Serve

Understanding the pickleball serve is essential to making the most of the sport. Once you figure out how to get the ball over the net correctly, the rest of the game will flow naturally. Here’s a three-step guide to serving:

1. Stand behind the baseline on one side of the centerline.
2. Hold the pickleball in your non-dominant hand and the paddle in your dominant hand.
3. Simultaneously step forward with your non-dominant foot, drop the ball, and hit it underhanded with the paddle. Your serving arm should make an upward arc when you serve.

It’s important to note that you must serve the ball underhanded and make contact below your navel. You also must make contact with the ball while it’s in the air. It is not legal to serve off a bounce.

Once you get the hang of the serving motion, the next step is making sure you serve the pickleball into the proper location on your opponent’s side of the court.

In order for a serve to be in bounds, it has to land inside or on the line of the crosscourt: the service square diagonally opposite of you (just like tennis). If your serve doesn’t land in the crosscourt, it’s considered a fault. Unlike tennis, you only get one chance to make a legal serve. However, if you’re playing doubles and you serve a fault, your partner gets a chance to serve.

If you serve the ball and it hits the top of the net before landing in the proper crosscourt, that’s a net serve. A net serve isn’t a fault, and the point is simply replayed without penalty.

How Pickleball Scoring Works

After reading about serves, faults, and boundaries, you’re probably wondering how scoring works in pickleball. Here’s the scoop:

For starters, only the serving team or player scores points in pickleball. You continue to serve until you or your teammate commits a fault. When that happens, the serve moves to your opponent.

So, what exactly constitutes a fault?

• Serving the ball out of bounds (anywhere besides the service court diagonally opposite you)
• Not hitting the ball before the second bounce when it’s served to you
• Hitting the ball out of bounds
• Volleying when you return a serve. In other words, you don’t let the ball bounce before hitting it back.
• Volleying when you’re standing in the no-volley zone.

When playing singles in pickleball, the server states their own score and their oppontent’s score each time before serving. For example, “three, two” means you have three points and your opponent has two points.

When playing doubles, you state your team’s score, the opposing team’s score, and either “one” or “two.” The one or two signifies what number try your team is on during your service. For example: If you start out the game serving, you would say “Zero, zero, one.” If you lose the point, the serve goes to your partner, who would say, “Zero, zero, two.”

Pickleball games are played to 11 points, although games can also be played to 15 or 21. Regardless, all pickleball games must be won by two points. In order to win the match, you must win two out of three games.

Basic Pickleball Strategies

Ok, so you’ve gotten the hang of serving and volleying. But now you want to take your game up a notch. While pickleball is a simple sport, it does require strategic thinking if you want to win.

Below are five pickleball strategy tips to give you a competitive advantage and put the odds of winning in your favor:

1. One of the keys to pickleball is to let your opponent make the mistakes. According to the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA), seventy-five percent of all rallies are won or lost because of unforced errors, most of which happen at the baseline of the court.
2. The strongest position on the court is just behind the no-volley line. When volleying, it’s advantageous to get up there as quickly as you can.
3. Don’t aim your shots for the sidelines or baseline—instead aim for open spaces on the court and place the ball where your opponent isn’t.
4. Avoid hitting the ball to your opponent’s dominant hand. Hitting it to their feet or backhand makes it more difficult for them to return the shot.
5. Placement is almost always more valuable than power—that goes for serves and shots alike. Above all, keep the ball in play and don’t go for the “kill” shot unless you’re positive you can keep it under control.

Pickleball Terminology

When you first start playing pickleball, you’ll probably encounter some words or phrases that you’ve never heard before. Like all sports, pickleball has its own terminology to explain the game. Below are some common terms along with quick explanations to help you get acquainted.

• Baseline: the line at the back of both sides of the court. Players stand behind this line to serve.
• Centerline: the line that splits the service courts, which extends from the no-volley zone to the baseline.
• Crosscourt: the court that’s diagonally opposite.
• Dink: a soft shot that barely clears the net into the no-volley zone
• Fault: any violation of the rules. A fault ends the rally and changes the serve to the opposing side.
• Kitchen: another word for the no-volley zone, which extends seven feet from either side of the net.
• Net serve: when the ball hits the top of the net after a serve and lands in the crosscourt. There is no fault, and the serve is replayed.
• Poach: when a player crosses into their teammates area to make a play
• Rally: hitting the ball back and forth
• Sideline: the lines on the sides of the court that determines whether the ball is in or out of bounds.
• Side-out: when a fault is committed and the serve moves to your opponent.
• Volley: hitting the ball before it contacts your side of the court

Putting It All Together

This may seem like a lot of information, but once you start playing, it’ll all flow naturally. Reading about pickleball or watching videos can be valuable to develop a baseline knowledge of the sport, but the only true way to learn and improve is to get on the court and play!

Ideally, you’ll want to practice and play with a partner who has some pickleball experience. You’ll pick up the game quicker this way as opposed to playing with another novice. If you’re really serious about fast-tracking your knowledge and getting competitive, you can work with a pickleball instructor. You might find instructors at sports clubs or community recreational centers.

Lastly, keep an open mind when you’re starting to play pickleball. You’ll probably botch some serves and make a few faults, but that’s all part of the learning process. Of course, the most important part is having fun.

We’d love to hear from you: What part of your game are you currently working on? Post your answer in the comments. 

The post How to Play Pickleball: A Guide for Beginners appeared first on Your Pickleball Club.

According to the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA), pickleball has seen a 650% increase in players since 2013. What started as a backyard pastime is now played in all 50 states at 4,000+ locations.

But what exactly is pickleball? Here’s the scoop on the sport that’s sweeping the nation. (Feel free to use this Table of Contents to jump any helpful sections.)

What Is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a paddlesport that incorporates elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It can be played indoors or outdoors on a badminton court, a modified tennis court, or a dedicated pickleball court.

Similar to other racquet or paddlesports, pickleball can be played as singles (one-on-one) or doubles (two-on-two.) Players use 8”x15” pickleball paddles (usually made of wood) and a slightly heavier version of a Wiffle ball. Thanks to pickleball’s ease of play, simple rules, and small playing area, the game is enjoyable for players of all ages. Pickleball initially gained popularity amongst seniors, but it’s recently become popular at colleges and community recreational centers.

The best part about pickleball is how easy it is to get the hang of. You don’t need years of experience or stellar athletic abilities. But before we explore the rules, equipment, and health benefits of pickleball, you’re probably wondering: Why is it called pickleball?

The History of Pickleball

After finishing a round of golf on a summer Saturday in 1965, Joel Pritchard (a congressman from Washington state) and Bill Bell (a successful businessman) found themselves bored on Bainbridge Island outside of Seattle.

The property had a badminton court, but unfortunately racquets and shuttlecocks were nowhere to be found. In order to keep themselves and their kids entertained, the gentlemen decided to improvise with ping pong paddles and a Wiffle ball. After lowering the net and creating some rules to add structure to their experiment, they had themselves a brand new game.

There was only one problem: They didn’t have a name for it.

Pickleball quickly caught on as the name of the game, but accounts of how the term “pickleball” originated differ.

According to Joan Pritchard (Joel’s wife), she called the game pickleball because “The combination of different sports reminded me of the pickle boat in crew where oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers of other boats.”

Others claim that the game was named after the Pritchards’ dog, Pickles, who would chase the ball and run off with it. 

Whatever the case, it’s clear that the name is a catch—and the game itself even catchier.

How to Play Pickleball

As mentioned earlier, pickleball borrows elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. If you’ve never played before and need a primer before you take the court, here are the basics. 

(Looking for a beginner’s guide to playing pickleball? Check it out here.) 

Pickleball Court Setup

A standard pickleball court is 20×44 feet for both singles and doubles. The net is hung at 36 inches on the ends and 34 inches in the middle. The small court size is ideal for players with limited mobility.

The court is striped similar to a tennis court. The inner courts, which extend seven feet from both sides of the net, are non-volley zones. The remainder of the court is divided in half by service lines, creating left and right service courts on both sides.

The Pickleball Serve

The server begins by standing with both feet behind the baseline of the court. All pickleball serves must be done underhanded, making contact with the ball below waist level using an upward arc. The server is not allowed to serve the ball off a bounce—it must be hit in the air.

Just like tennis, the ball must clear the non-volley zone and land in the opponent’s diagonal service court.

Faults

A fault in pickleball is committed if the ball: 

• Does not clear the net
• Touches any part of the non-volley zone on the serve (including the line).
• Is hit out of bounds
• Is volleyed from the non-volley zone
• Is volleyed before a bounce has occurred on each side

Scoring

Only the serving player or team is eligible to score a point. The player continues serving until the opposing team commits a fault (see above). When a fault is committed, the opposing team scores a point, and the other side gets to serve. The first to 11 points wins, however the game must be won by two points.

Pickleball is easy as pie, right?

What Equipment Does Pickleball Require?

Aside from finding a court to play on, you’ll only really need two pieces of equipment to play pickleball: a paddle and a ball. Unlike golf or other sports that are rely heavily on equipment, pickleball has a very low barrier to entry because of the minimal equipment needed to get started. Of course, if you want to splurge on more pickleball equipment as you get more advanced, you certainly can. 

Here’s a quick overview of pickleball courts, paddles, and pickleballs themselves:

Where to find a pickleball court

USAPA has a Places 2 Play page on its website. All you have to do is enter your location and you’ll see a list of all nearby pickleball courts. You’ll likely find a variety of indoor and outdoor courts, ranging from public parks to private clubs.

Pickleball Paddles

A pickleball paddle is a cross between a tennis racquet and a ping pong paddle. You can buy pickleball paddles at most sporting goods stores or rent them from athletic clubs.

You can also buy pickleball paddles on a variety of online stores, including Amazon. There are thousands of pickleball paddles available for purchase, with prices ranging from $20 to $100 or more. 

When shopping for a pickleball paddle, you’ll hear all kinds of terms such as “spin,” “control,” and “power,” but the most important thing is to simply use a paddle that’s comfortable for you. For some of our favorite pickleball paddles for beginners or those on a budget, check out our paddle reviews here. 

Pickleballs 

While pickleball was originally played with a Wiffle ball, an official pickleball is slightly different.

An outdoor pickleball is harder with smaller holes, while an indoor pickleball has larger holes. Pickleballs come in a variety of solid colors, which are usually chosen based on the color of the court. For example, if you’re playing on a dark court, you’d use a light colored pickleball.

Just like paddles, pickleballs can be bought at sporting goods stores or rented at athletic clubs. Pickleballs usually come in packs of three for around $10.

The Health Benefits of Pickleball

Sure, pickleball is an easy, enjoyable activity—but did you know pickleball is also great for your body and mind? Staying active is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle, especially for older adults, and pickleball is packed with benefits for your whole body, from your brain to your feet.

Here are a few of them:

Weight Loss

According to Pickleball Portal, a 160-pound adult can burn about 250 calories during a 30-minute pickleball game. Of course, this can vary depending on the intensity of the game. Regardless, pickleball is a fun way to keep off those extra pounds.

If you track your steps, you can expect to take about 2,300 steps playing pickleball for 30 minutes. That’s more than a mile! 

Muscle Strength

Pickleball is a full-body workout that involves every muscle of your body. Moving around the court and swatting the ball works your legs, arms, and core. Most people begin to lose muscle mass in their 30s and beyond, but pickleball is an easy and fun way to combat this.

Cardiovascular Health

It won’t take too long to get your blood pumping during a game of pickleball. Chasing after the ball will give your heart a hearty workout, which is a great way to improve your cardiovascular health.

Less Stress On Joints

Compared to higher-intensity sports such as tennis or golf, pickleball gives you a great workout without as much wear and tear on your body. 

A smaller court means less running, which will spare your knees, hips, and ankles. Additionally, the light paddles and underhand serves reduce strain on your shoulders, wrists, and elbows.

Brain Health Benefits

Neuroscience shows a direct link between physical activity and mental health. Exercise is known to boost endorphins, combat depression, and reduce stress.

Pickleball also requires strategic thinking and quick reflexes, both of which train your brain.

Pick Up a Paddle and Play!

NBC News called pickleball “The fastest growing sport you’ve never heard of.” But at the rate pickleball’s popularity is growing, it won’t be long before it’s as played as much as tennis or golf—and for good reason.

Pickleball is the perfect combination of exercise and social interaction—not to mention it’s quick, cheap, and easy to play. What more could you ask for?

Question: What got you interested in pickleball? Whether you’re an active player or on the fence about playing for the first time, we’d love to hear your story. Let us know in the comments. 

The post What Is Pickleball, the Sport That’s Sweeping the Nation? appeared first on Your Pickleball Club.

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Happy dinking,

Chris

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