Think ‘pickleball’ sounds unusual? You’re not wrong — but it’s also one of the most fun, social racquet sports you can play.
A clever mix of tennis, badminton and ping pong, pickleball is simple to learn, easy on the body, and perfect for players of all ages and abilities. No wonder it’s booming across North America — and starting to catch on fast over here too.
Whether you’re a seasoned racquets player or a complete beginner, pickleball offers a friendly, fast-paced way to get active and have fun. Here’s everything you need to know before you pick up a paddle and give it a go.
Why is pickleball becoming so popular?
Pickleball, much like Padel, is gaining popularity and interest because it’s so easy to get started. (What is Padel, you ask? It’s another fast-paced racquet game that hooks you in.) All you need is some inexpensive equipment, a slightly modified badminton or tennis court and somebody to play against.
Importantly, the lighter design of the ball reduces velocity compared to other racquet sports, especially tennis and squash. That means people of all different ages and abilities can enjoy the game together while still enjoying a good workout.
Pickleball was invented in America in the mid-1960s, where it quickly gained popularity as a low-impact sport the whole family could play together. It is now one of America’s fastest-growing sports, with many celebrity fans, though it took almost 50 years to arrive here in the UK.
How do you play pickleball?
Pickleball players use paddles – with a larger, more flexible hitting surface than table tennis bats – to hit a lightweight, perforated plastic ball on a badminton-sized court with a lowered net. Much like other racquet sports, it can be played in either a singles or doubles format.
Pickleball rules at a glance
- The first player or pair to 11 points with two in hand (like badminton) is the winner.
- Service begins from the right-hand court, and serves must be underarm. There are no second serves.
- There’s a non-volley zone seven feet either side of the net (sometimes referred to as “the kitchen”; see below).
- The two-bounce rule: The service ball must bounce in the receiving court (beyond the non-volley zone) before it’s returned, then bounce in the service court on its way back before it can be returned again.
- The rally can continue with any combination of volleys (except in the kitchen) and groundstrokes.
- Only the server or serving pair can win a point. If they fault, service goes to the opponent.
- In doubles, player one serves until they fault. When it is their team’s turn to serve again, their partner then serves until they fault.
- For a more detailed account of pickleball rules, see the official USA Pickleball website.
Pickleball terms you need to know
- The Kitchen: Informal term for the non-volley zone (NVZ), the area within seven feet of each side of the net where volleying is not allowed.
- No-Man’s Land: The area on the court between the kitchen and the baseline. Also referred to as the transition zone.
- Dink: A soft, controlled shot that moves downward shortly after it clears the net, landing in the no-volley zone.
- Nasty Nelson: When the server intentionally aims a hard serve at the non-receiving opponent to cause a fault.
- Pickle: A player shouts “Pickle!” to let the other players know they are about to serve.
- Pickled: If a team scores zero points by the end of the game, they have been pickled.
- Volley llama: Did you fault by hitting a volley in the kitchen? Then you are a volley llama!
Where to play pickleball
Pickleball is currently available at David Lloyd Clubs across the UK:
Basildon, Beaconsfield, Birmingham, Cheshire Oaks, Chigwell, Finchley, Narborough, Warrington, Woking, Bolton, Kings Hill, Rugby, Bristol Emersons Green, Poole, Royal Berkshire, Gloucester, Hamilton, Hampton, Solihull, Milton Keynes, Peterborough, Raynes Park, York, Edinburgh Shawfair, Southampton West End, Northwood, Cardiff, Derby, Edinburgh Newhaven Harbour, Southend, Nottingham, Cheadle, Bicester, Farnham, Enfield, Bristol Long Ashton, Heston, Ipswich, Manchester North, Newhaven, Bristol Westbury, Worthing, Liverpool Knowlsey, Sunderland, Swansea, Glasgow West End, Exeter, Hull, Lincoln, Newcastle, Southampton, Dundee, Cambridge, Dudley, Aberdeen, Glasgow Renfrew, Hatfield, Manchester Trafford, Ringwood, West Bridgford, Norwich, Swindon, Teesside, Belfast, Speke, Chorley, Leeds, Coventry, Lichfield, Gidea Park, Eastbourne, Basildon.
