Invented in 1965, pickleball is a fast-growing paddle sport known for its fast pace and easy accessibility. Discover more about what pickleball is here.
Whether it’s your partner, siblings or parents, pickleball is a game that can be played regardless of age or experience level. That, arguably, is the true beauty of this wonderful game. Here we explain what pickleball is and how to play it.
Well, pickleball is a fast-growing paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis.
Played on a smaller court with a lighter ball, it’s easy to pick up and endlessly fun.
Pickleball is an excellent way to stay active, connect with friends and play a competitive sport with a larger spread of people.
Pickleball starts with an underarm serve, diagonally across the court. Once the ball’s in play, you’ll rally with your opponent or opponents, using solid paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball (like a wiffle ball) over a slightly lowered tennis-style net.
There are a couple of unique pickleball rules
1) First, the “double bounce” rule means the ball must bounce once on each side before volleys are allowed.
2) Second, you can’t volley in the “kitchen” (the no-volley zone near the net). These rules retain a fast pace, but keep the gameplay fair and accessible.
3) Games are usually played to 11 points, but you must win by at least two. Only the serving side can win a point.
You’ll need quick reactions, good placement, and a bit of strategy—especially when it comes to well-placed “dinks” near the net.
You don’t need much to get started. A pickleball paddle (think a larger table tennis bat), a wiffle-style pickleball ball, and a net are all you really need.
Courts are the same size as doubles badminton courts (6.1m x 13.4m), and you can play on existing tennis or multi-use surfaces with a few simple adjustments.
Pickleball is low-impact but high-fun. It’s easy on the joints, making it ideal for older players or those returning to sport after injury.
But don’t be fooled, it still gets your heart pumping. In a 30-minute game, you can burn around 300 calories. It’s a great cardio workout without the intense strain of other racquet sports.
Because of its smaller court and slower ball, pickleball relies less on speed and more on technique, positioning and shot selection. That makes it more inclusive: families can play together, and people of all ages and abilities can compete on a level playing field.
On top of that, it’s incredibly social.
Whether you’re playing doubles with mates or meeting new players at your local club, pickleball builds community as much as it builds fitness.
First up, the gear. Pickleball uses paddles rather than stringed tennis rackets, and the ball is lighter and perforated, making it slower in the air.
The court’s smaller too, and the serve must be underarm. While tennis rewards power and coverage, pickleball is all about placement and reaction.
Physically, pickleball less intense than tennis. That means shorter sprints, fewer jumps, and lower-impact movements. That makes it more accessible to people who may struggle with the physical demands of tennis, while still offering a competitive challenge.
Yes you can! Just mark out the dimensions of a standard pickleball court (20ft x 44ft) within the tennis court and adjust the net height if possible.
Portable pickleball nets are also available, making it easy to set up anywhere with a flat surface.
Very much so. That's part of the appeal!
Pickleball was designed to be inclusive, and beginners often find it easier to learn than tennis or squash. The slower ball and smaller court mean rallies last longer, helping you improve more quickly.
Like any sport, it takes time to master, but you’ll be having fun from your very first game. Just don't expect to be a pro straight away.
Pickleball vs padel is such a common question that we wrote an entire blog on it.
Pickleball is played on a solid-surface court with no walls and uses a plastic ball and solid paddle. Padel, meanwhile, is played in an enclosed court where players can bounce the ball off glass walls, using a rubber ball and perforated padel racket.
Pickleball is lower impact and often seen as more accessible, while padel can be slightly faster-paced.
Wiffle ball – The plastic ball with holes used in play.
Paddle – The bat used to strike the ball (larger than a ping-pong bat).
Kitchen – The no-volley zone near the net.
Dinking – A soft, strategic shot that drops just over the net into the kitchen.
There are over 270 dedicated pickleball courts in Great Britain, with more being added all the time. Many tennis venues now offer pickleball sessions, and it’s easy to adapt a tennis court if needed.
Check your local leisure centre, sports club or online club locator to find the closest court near you.
Pickleball was invented by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum in the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA. It all started when the three dads wanted to create a new game to keep their kids active and entertained.
They improvised using bits of other sports: a badminton court, table tennis-style paddles and a perforated plastic ball. What began as a backyard pastime quickly caught on—and the rest is history.
Today, pickleball is played by millions around the world. Not bad for a sport that started with a few paddles and a bit of creativity.
Pickleball was actually named after a dog!
One of the inventors (Joel Pritchard) had a dog called Pickles, and Pickles used to chase after the ball during games.
The name stuck.