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To serve, stand behind the baseline, toss the ball in the air, and hit it underhand into the opponent’s diagonal service box.
Ever wondered what happens when tennis, ping pong and badminton have a love child? Welcome to the delightful world of pickleball. This quirky sport combines the best of both worlds, with a dash of its own unique flair. Ready to dive in? Let's break it down:
The Players: Two Configurations
- Singles: Where two players compete and cover the entire court ground. This is unlike tennis where the court is wider for doubles.
- Doubles: Most common configuration where two teams of two players compete covering the entire court ground.
The Court: Your Playground
- Picture this: a badminton-sized court with a net just a smidge lower than tennis. That's your playground. The court is divided into two halves by a net and further split into right and left service areas.
- The official dimensions of a pickleball court are 13.41 metres long from baseline to baseline by 6.1 metres wide.
Gear Up: Paddle, Ball, Action!
Forget racquets; you'll use a paddle, which is solid and resembles a giant ping-pong paddle. The ball? Think cricket ball rounded shaped only plastic with precision holes. Light, bouncy, and ready for action.
Serve It Up: The Game Begins
To serve, stand behind the baseline, toss the ball in the air, and hit it underhand into the opponent's diagonal service box. The key? Keep it low and out of the opponent's “kitchen” (see below).
The Kitchen: Not for Cooking
What is the kitchen? In pickleball, the kitchen is the non-volley zone (2.1 metres from the net on each side). Stay out of here when you're serving and volleying (hitting the ball before it bounces). This rule keeps things fair and prevents smashing volleys from close range.
Rally Time: Hit, Bounce, Hit
The game's rhythm is simple: serve, let the ball bounce once on each side, and then volley. You win points by making the ball land into your opponent's court without them returning it. And remember, a rally continues until someone faults (misses a shot, hits it out, etc.).
Scoring: Keep It Tight
Pickleball scoring can be a bit tricky — games are often played to 11, 15, or 21 points. You only score if you're serving. If you win the rally while serving, you earn a point. Lose the rally, and it's your opponent's turn.
Fun Factor: Off The Charts
The beauty of pickleball? It's easy to pick up and packed with fun. Pickleball has won the global charm award as people of all ages can play with ease. Whether you're smashing shots, perfecting your serve, or just laughing with friends trying something new, the game's perfect pace and friendly vibe make it a blast.
So, grab a paddle and balls, find a court, and let the pickleball magic begin.
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