PICKLE BALL
History
The game was invented in 1965 by Joel Pritchard and named after
his cocker spaniel "Pickle". It was by chance the game developed to its
present status, as Mr. Pritchard's intent was to entertain his bored
teenagers. They were complaining there was nothing to do, so all they did
was sit around and watch television. Using old equipment around the house
and enthusiastically making up the rules, "Pickle Ball" was developed.
.
The original intent of the game of Pickle Ball was to provide a game
that the entire family could enjoy regardless of athletic ability or
background. The game can be played in school gymnasiums, or driveways and
backyards, on concrete surface areas in parks and recreation centers.
Object of the G a m e
Two or four players using regulation pickle ball paddles compete to
score points by hitting a whiffle ball over a net and out of an opponent’s
reach or in such a way that i t cannot be returned back across the net
inside the
court.
Playing Field
Equipment
The paddles are made of either wood or hard plastic. The head of the
squared off than oval. The length should not exceed 15 inches,
paddle is rather
with a maximum head width of8
inches and a maximum weight of 13 oz. The ball used is a small whiffle ball that i s twice the size
of a golf ball. It has a maximum diameter of 3 inches and approximately 26 holes that are 7/16
of an inch in diameter. The official net size is 21 feet x 30 inches. A tennis or badminton net
may be used. The net is hung at 36".
General R u l e s
Serve
Players may toss a coin or rally the ball until a fault is made. Winner of the toss
or rally has the option of serving or not serving first.
The serve must made with at least one foot behind the baseline. The serve is
made underhand. The paddle must pass below the waist. The server m u s t hit the ball in
the air on the serve. The ball is not allowed to be hit off the bounce. The service is
made diagonally across court and must clear the non-volley zone. Only one serve attempt
is allowed, except if the ball touches the net on the serve and lands in the correct
service court. Then the serve is taken over. At the start of each new game, the 1st
serving team is allowed only one fault before giving up the ball to the opponents.
Thereafter both members of each team will serve and fault before the ball is turned
over to the opposing team. When the receiving team wins the serve, the player in the
right hand court will always start play.
Volley
To volley a ball means to hit it in the air without letting it bounce. All volleying
must be done with the player’s feet behind the non-volley zone. It is a fault i f the
player steps over the line on his follow-through.
Double Bounce Rule
Each team must play their first shot off the bounce. That is, the receiving
team must let the swerve bounce, and the serving team must let the return of the
serve bounce before playing it. After t w o bounces have occurred, the ball can either
b e volleyed or played off the bounce.
Fault
Hitting the ball out of bounds. Not clearing the net.
Stepping into the non-volley zone and volleying the ball.
Volleying the
ball before it has bounced once on each side of the net as outlined
in the double bounce rule.
Scoring
A team shall score a point only when serving. A player who is
serving shall continue to do so until a fault is made by his/her
team. The game is played to 11 points: however, a team must win by 2
points.
Doubles Play
Player in the right hand court serves diagonally across. The
ball must clear the non-volley zone and land in the right hand serving
court. The receiver must let the ball bounce before returning the
serve. The .5erving team must also let the return bounce before
playing it (double bounce rule). After t h e two bounces have
occurred, the b all may then be either v o l l e y e d off
·
the b ounce until a fault is made_
If the fault is made by the receiving team, a point is scored b y
the serving team. When the serving team wins a point, its players will
switch courts and the same player will continue to serve. When the
serving team makes its first fault; players will stay in the same
court and the second partner will then serve. When they make their
second fault, they will stay in the same courts and turn the ball over
to the other team. Players switch-courts only after scoring. A ball
landing on any line is considered good.
Singles Play
All rules apply with the following exceptions: When serving in
singles, each player serves from the right hand court when his score
is zero or an even number, and from the left h a n d court when his
score is odd numbered.
Continental G r i p
Grip the handle midway between the forehand a n d backhand.
Backhand Grip
Start with forehand grip and rotate the paddle a quarter turn counterclockwise with the thumb
either diagonal or across the back of the handle.
Forehand G r i p
This grip is like a handshake with forefingers extended up and behind the shaft.
Serve
A shot that initiates play; It must be done with both feet behind the end line and across
court at a diagonal clearing the non-volley zone, it must be underhand and hit below the waist in
the air (without a bounce).
Forehand D r i v e
Using a continental g r ip contact t h e ball with a flat p a d d l e face swing the paddle slightly upward
with a firm wrist.
Backhand Drive
A drive that is taken from the opposite side of the body and the back of the hand faces the
ball.
Hit Drop Shot/Dink Shots
A shot that barely clears the net
Lob Hit
High or upward hit that goes high up over the opponent's head. This is used when opponents
rush up to the net.
Topspin
Occurs when you keep the paddle face flat lifting upward and across the top of the ball on
contact causing the ball to rise, drop sharply, then bounce forward.
Backspin
Occurs when you open the paddle face slightly on contact with the ball then drop the paddle
face downward through the ball so that i t rises slightly, loses momentum, and dies or bounces
sharply upward.
Volley
To hit the ball in the air without letting it bounces.