Pickleball
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pickleball is a game described as "a combination of Ping-Pong, tennis, and badminton", played in schools, parks and recreation centers, correctional facilities, camps, and retirement communities mostly in North America. It uses a simplified combination of tennis rules and strategies. The United States of America Pickleball Association (USAPA) calls it the "fastest-growing sport in America", although this claim is disputed by some.
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[edit] History
Pickleball is officially labeled as a "paddle sport," invented in Bainbridge Island, Washington by Bill Bell, Barney McCallum and former Washington State politician Joel Pritchard. It is best described as a cross between tennis, badminton, and ping pong. The sport was named after the Pritchard's dog, Pickles, who used to run away with the ball during the initial trial-runs of the game.
[edit] The Court
The game itself is played on a court that is the same size as a badminton court (20 feet wide by 44 feet long). A ball similar to a wiffleball, made with a more rigid material and having smaller holes, is used in gameplay. It has also been classified as being similar to a Floorball ball. Originally, during the time the game was invented, wooden paddles were used, but now lightweight fiberglass and composite paddles are most common due to their lower cost and higher durability.
[edit] Rules
Pickleball's small court also allows younger players or those with varying degrees of mobility and paraplegics to participate in a way that the larger court of tennis sometimes prohibits. Additionally, a rule prohibiting volleying (hitting the ball in the air) in the space 7 feet from the net helps to equalize play and reduce overpowering smashes at the net. Pickleball has both singles or doubles variations.
The rules are similar to those of tennis, except that only the serving side scores (as in badminton). However, the serve itself is made underhand, and the ball must bounce once on each side of the net after service before any volleys may be made. Pickleball is designed to keep everyone in play. There's a no-volley zone close to the net to prevent overcompetitive players from smashing their way to one-sidedness. Pickleball is a game of shot placement and patience, not brute power or strength. Once the ball has hit the ground on both sides of the net, the volley can continue as in badminton, with the ball constantly in the air. Otherwise the serve is void.
[edit] Present
Pickleball has become a common high school sport in gym classes and has gained popularity with teenagers as well as seniors. Schools often host tournaments. In New York State alone, it is estimated that over 500 schools include Pickleball in their curriculum. Clearly, Chartiers Valley High School in pittsburgh, PA has the best pickleball players in the country year in and year out. The singles national champion has been out of chartiers valley for the past 10 years due to the superb coachin of Coach Ron Sciarro, a pickleball legend.
