Pickleball is currently the fastest-growing sport in the United States.

It is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis (Ping-Pong). It can be played indoors or outdoors as singles (two players) or doubles (four players).

How is Pickleball Played?

• Equipment: Pickleball Players use solid paddles to hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball (like a wiffleball) over a low net.
• Court: The court is the same size as a doubles badminton court (20 by 44 feet) with a net that is 34-36 inches high.
• The Serve: The serve is always made underhand, diagonally across the net, and must clear the Non-Volley Zone(see below).
• Scoring:
  • Only the serving team can score points.
  • Games are typically played to 11 points, and you must win by two points.
• The Two-Bounce Rule: After the serve, the ball must bounce once on the receiving side, and then the serving team must also let it bounce once before hitting it. After these two initial bounces, either team can volley the ball (hit it before it bounces).

The “Kitchen” Rule

One of the most distinctive rules is related to the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ), often called “the kitchen.”

• The NVZ is a 7-foot area on each side of the net.
• You are NOT allowed to volley the ball (hit it out of the air before it bounces) while standing in the NVZ or on the NVZ line.
• This rule prevents players from crowding the net and smashing the ball, encouraging strategic, longer rallies.
• However, you can step into the kitchen to hit the ball if it has already bounced there.

What is a Pickleball Rating?

The OPL Rating from myopl.net is a Pickleball skill assessment system.

• What OPL Stands For: OPL stands for Open Play Leagues (MYOPL is pronounced “My Opel”).

• Purpose: It is a social pickleball rating system designed to gauge a player’s skill level based on their scores from recreational or “open play” matches, rather than expensive tournament play.

• Scale: The rating scale is visual and ranges from Novice (2.0) to Professional (5.5).

• Use: The OPL Rating helps players track their progress, find appropriate local games, and compete within regional, club, and global rankings.

 Origins

Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by three dads—Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum—who were looking for a game to entertain their bored children. They improvised using an old badminton court, Ping-Pong paddles, and a Wiffle ball.

The name “Pickleball” is commonly believed to have come from Joan Pritchard, Joel’s wife, who said the mix of different sports and equipment reminded her of a “pickle boat” in crew, where oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers of other boats.