Your first day(s) of pickleball

So it's your first day on the pickleball court?​  You are about to get caught up in the fastest growing sport.....yes you are!!  

First what is pickleball??  Wikipedia describes the game as; "Pickleball is a racquet sport which combines elements of badminton,tennis, and table tennis. The sport is played on a court with the same dimensions as a doubles badminton court. The net is similar to a tennis net, but is mounted two inches lower. The game is played with a hard paddle and a polymer wiffle ball."

Pickleball is great for anyone at any age!  And we think that everyone should get out and play it!  It's a great form of exercise, but perhaps one of the biggest benefits is that it is fun and social--making it perfect for playing with family, old friends and new friends too! 


Where did the name come from?
The most popular story is that the game was named after the sports founder's dog "Pickles." This is somewhat incorrect as the founder's dog actually came along after the game was invented and was actually named after the sport. The game was named by the wife of the founder who said that the first hand shaped paddles resembled a "pickle boat."
​
What equipment do you need to play pickleball?
Your basic needs are a pickleball paddle and balls. A court with a net-you can find a local club, rec center, or even chalk draw your own on a section of concrete somewhere safe.

And lastly, you will want good court shoes that provide support and have non-black soles, which can permanently mark up the court.
 
How to choose the correct pickleball paddle?
The best way to find your perfect paddle is through trial and error!

The first consideration is the size of the paddle handle. Choose a grip size that’s comfortable, but keep in mind that a too-large grip size will force you to squeeze the paddle too tightly, tiring you and preventing more accurate shots.

New to the game and hesitant to spend big on a paddle? Ask a friend if they have an “older retired” paddle you can hit with as you start learning the game.
 
How do to hold the pickleball paddle?
The three main types of pickleball grips (like tennis) are the Continental, the Eastern, and the Western, with a slight variation called the Semi-Western grip. Most players use the Continental grip (which is like holding a hammer or shaking hands).
 
What are the basic shots in pickleball?
The shots used in pickleball are the forehand, backhand, volley, serve, and the dink shot. For more detailed instructions on these shots? Search for videos on YouTube!
 
How to keep score in pickleball?
Points are scored only on the serve; the receiving side does not score. At the start of the game, the player on the right side (even court) serves diagonally to the opposite court. If the server scores a point, they then move to the left side (odd court) and serves diagonally to the opposite court.

The scoring goes to 11 points. (Tournaments sometimes goes to 15 or 21.)  In all game play you must win the game by 2 points. Those are the pickleball basics (you will learn more as you play more)!

On a side note -it’s the server’s job to call the score before each point, and each player calls what they see as “out” on their side of the net. If the ball touches a line, even the slightest, it’s considered in.
 
Quick tips for new picklers

• Make sure to call the ball out—always after it’s bounced and not while in the air.  Both players should always know the score.​
• Don’t try to hit the ball as hard as you can. Instead, just try to strategically hit the ball over the net.
• The goal of the game is to outlast your opponents by keeping the ball in bounds.
• Find a player who will do drills and play a few games with you! On another side note- playing better players is a great way to learn from someone else and improve your skills but playing others with less experience/skills will provide you an opportunity to focus on improving your game!

Get to the courts, play nice and enjoy the game!

---