Pickleball is a less common sport, and many people are not familiar with pickleball rules. Pickleball is a sport that includes the use of rackets and a hollow perforated plastic ball. It has remarkable similarities with table tennis, badminton, and tennis. This sport can be played both indoors and outdoors and players could be a single pair (singles) or pair of two (double). There is a paddle in between the opposing players almost 34 inches high. The game is first played in 1965 and now has become popular among people of different ages worldwide. It is the game of the United States and is considered the official state game of Washington.
Rules and arrangement:
- It has specific rules, pickleball court dimensions, and paddles as it has many similarities with tennis and table tennis.
- For both single and double matches, the court estimates 20 by 44 feet just like the dimensions of the court in badminton but the paddle is used fairly larger as compared to table tennis.
- The ball used in this game is relatively hard and bounces less than a tennis ball. The net used in the game is the height of 86cm from the center and 91cm from the sides of the court.
- The blended material used by the players in paddles is mostly solid and smooth surfaces made of wood that is no longer than 43cm or 17 inches.
- The integrated area of the paddle is 61cm or 24 inches.
- The thickness and weight of the paddle may vary.
- The pierced lightweight ball is 2.87 to 2.97 inches in diameter and has a single color. A long-lasting compact material is used to make a ball.
PICKLE BALL RULES SINGLE:
- The single game is between two players, each on either side.
- For singles, in the case of an even score, the server begins from the right side of the server’s court, and in the case of an odd score from the left side of the court.
- With a few exceptions, single and double pairs of the game generally have the same rules. The initiative serves each side and begins the game on the right side.
- After winning the point by the server the sides of the court will be switched. In case the opposite happens and the receiver wins the rally, there will be no switching of sides rather there will be a side out.
- Until and unless the server loses the rally it will keep on serving.
- The receiver can serve only in the case the server loses the service.
Positions of the players
- Discussing the players’ positions in the game the first serve will commence the sport on the even side of the court.
- After winning the point, he will switch to the other side of the court and keep serving.
- There will be a slant serving from the side of the server until the rival wins the rally or the server commits any fault.
- In this case, the rival will serve and there will be a side out and he will continue to serve.
- The player must maintain proper positioning on the serve and the return of the serve.
- It is important that the right server will serve the ball from the correct side of the court and the right receiver is returning the ball from the correct side.
Game scoring
- The score of the game will decide the right side of the pickleball court.
- In case of an even score including 2,4,6,8,10 etc., the serving will be done from the right side of the court and the receiver will receive it at the right side.
- On the contrary, when the server’s score is odd that is 1,3,5,7,9 etc. the serve will be done from the left side of the court and similarly will be received from the left side.
Fault
- The fault will occur and loss will be considered on the side of the server if he is found on the wrong side and the receiver gains a point.
- Similarly, if the fault is from the receiver’s side then a point will be given to the server.
- Until the serve is done the serve is directed to strike both feet behind the baseline and not allowed to touch the baseline or the court.
- In case of touching the non-volley, short will be considered and the server is the fault.
- If the ball hits the net it will be considered a fault.
- If the player’s cloth touches the paddle it will be a fault. Moreover, if the ball touches the clothing of the player, ceiling, or being not hit after two bounces it will be a fault.
Double Bounce Rule
- There will be a double bounce rule in which the server must bounce the ball before returning it to the rival
- And the same should be done by the opponent before returning the ball to the server.
Non Volley Zone
- While standing in the non-volley zone player cannot hit the balls until it bounces.
- The ball will be considered if it comes in contact with the baseline.
PICKLE BALL RULES DOUBLE:
- Two pairs of players while the sport is more common
- The playing area and rules are the same for both single and double games.
When to Count a Score?
A score can only be gained when the whole team is serving.
Rules for Serving
- Serving is permissible when the contact is below the waist and it must be done underhand.
- Serves are allowed to move diagonally
- Their landing is allowed within the premises of the non-volley zone, also in the baseline of the court opposite the serving player.
Serving Opportunity
- Each player is given the opportunity of one serving attempt with the exception that:
- if the ball hits the net and it enters into the correct serving court then the serve will be played over.
- Before turning the ball to the rival team both the members of the serving team receive the turn of service.
- But, at the start of the game, only one player from the first-serving team is given the chance of serving.
Switching
- The servers are allowed to switch their positions in case of scoring a point but receiving team cannot do that.
Scoring
- When players serve on the right side the serving team will have an even score and an odd score is considered when serving is done from the left side.
Double Bounce Rule
- Just like a single pair game, double bounce rule is also considered in double pair.
Fault
- There will be loss in points of a team and a fault will be considered if the player steps into a non-volley zone after hitting the ball.
