Pickleball

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It is played with a solid paddle and a perforated plastic ball on a court about the size of a badminton doubles court. The game originated in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, when Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum created improvised rules to entertain their children. The name is commonly attributed to the Pritchards' family dog, Pickles, though other origins are cited. The sport has since grown into organized leagues and tournaments.

Equipment and court: The court measures 20 by 44 feet for both singles and doubles, with a net that is 34 inches high at the center and 36 inches at the sidelines. The court includes a seven-foot non-volley zone on each side, known as the kitchen. Players use solid paddles and a perforated plastic ball with holes.

Rules and scoring: Games are typically played to 11, 15, or 21 points, and a team must win by 2. Only the serving side can score. In doubles, each side has two servers before service passes to the opponents. The ball must clear two bounces on each side after the serve before volleys are allowed, a rule known as the two-bounce rule. Volleys are not allowed from inside the kitchen. Faults include hitting the net, out of bounds, or violating non-volley zone rules.

Governing bodies and adoption: USA Pickleball (USAP) governs play in the United States, while the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) coordinates international rules and events. The sport has grown rapidly in clubs, schools, and retirement communities worldwide, with formal competitions, coaching programs, and increasing media coverage.