The Game and the Rules

Pickleball is a fun game that is played on a badminton-size court with the net positioned at 36 inches at the outer posts and 34 inches at the center.  It is played with a composite paddle and a perforated hard plastic ball.  It is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players.  Pickleball can be played as doubles or singles.  Pickleball can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels.  However, you should remember that pickleball is a sport and requires a certain amount of physical agility and dexterity.

Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Three fathers – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities — are credited for creating game.  Pickleball has evolved from original handmade equipment and simple rules into a popular sport throughout the Unites States, Canada and the world.

USA Pickleball is the National Governing Body of American pickleball that formulates and interprets all the rules of the sport in a manner that preserves the traditional nature and character of the sport and the skills traditionally required to play the sport.

The official rules for pickleball can be found here:  https://usapickleball.org/docs/USA-Pickleball-Official-Rulebook-2023-v2.pdf

An abbreviated version of the rules can be found here:  https://usapickleball.org/what-is-pickleball/official-rules/rules-summary/