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What is pickleball and how is it played?

2023-03-17

Pickleball is a sport that has gained significant popularity in recent years among players of all ages. It combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong and is played on a court with a paddle and a ball.

Court and Equipment
A pickleball court is similar in size to a doubles badminton court, measuring 20 feet wide by 44 feet long. The court is divided into two halves by a net that stands at 36 inches high at the center and 34 inches high on the sides. Players use a special paddle, which is larger than a ping-pong paddle but smaller than a tennis racket, to hit a perforated plastic ball over the net.



Gameplay
Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles, with each game being played to 11 points. To start the game, the ball is served diagonally from the right-hand side of the court. The server must stand behind the baseline and serve the ball underhand, making sure it clears the net and lands within the opponent's diagonal court.
The receiving player must let the ball bounce once before returning it with either a volley (hitting the ball before it bounces) or a groundstroke (hitting the ball after it bounces). Once both teams have hit the ball back and forth, the ball may be hit either in the air or on the bounce.

Scoring
Points are scored when the opposing team fails to return the ball successfully over the net, either by hitting the ball out of bounds or into the net. A point is also awarded if the serving team fails to serve the ball properly. Unlike tennis, points can only be scored by the serving team.



Rules
There are several rules to follow while playing pickleball:
1.The ball must be hit below the waist level.
2.The ball can only be hit once by each team before it crosses over the net.
3.If the ball hits any part of the line on the court, it is considered in bounds.
4.The ball must clear the net and land in the diagonal court opposite the server.
5.The server must keep one foot behind the baseline during the serve.

Strategy
Pickleball requires teamwork, strategy, and patience. One common strategy is to aim for areas where your opponents are less likely to return the ball, such as the corners of the court. Additionally, players often use "dinking," or soft shots close to the net, to force their opponents into making mistakes.



Conclusion
In summary, pickleball is a fast-paced and exciting sport that can be enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels. With its unique blend of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, it provides a fun and engaging experience for all players. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting out, pickleball is a great way to stay active, improve your coordination and agility, and have fun playing with friends and family.



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