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Have you ever heard about the game Pickleball before? It is a new sport for some people who have plenty of questions that need a clear answer. However, the game is not new; it was invented back in 1965 by a family in Seattle.
Conversely, Paddleball is very much a known game as it has a slightly longer history. It was invented in 1930 by Earl Riskey, a physical education teacher at the University of Michigan. He found it fun to play racquetball with a paddle instead of a racquet.
In this guide, we will talk about the history, rules, playing fields, and many other things related to both Pickleball and Paddleball. Keep reading to learn some interesting facts.
History of the Pickleball
Pickleball was invented by Joen Pritchard, Barney McCallum, and Bill Bell when they were on Barenberg Island, Washington, DC. Joen Pritchard came up with the name of the game, Pickleball.
As the sport grew, a controversial statement related to the game’s name came across. Neighbors who claimed to be there said they were there when Joen named the game. According to them, Joen named the game after his dog, Pickles. However, Joen’s family claimed that the dog was born after ten years or so and named after the game.
The bigger mystery to solve was the birth of the dog. There was ambiguity regarding the name of the game. Hence, a few more surveys concluded that the dog was born in 1968. So, this was enough evidence that the Pickleball was not named after the name of the dog.
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Rules of Pickleball
The rules of the Pickleball are the combination of ping pong and tennis. In Pickleball, a player serves the ball underhand, and the opponent hits the ball back in the server’s court. The team loses a point when it misses the ball.
Pickleball Playing Field
The playing field in Pickleball is 44 feet from one baseline to the other. There is a non volley zone of about seven feet where a player can’t hit the ball while serving. The player can’t stand in the no volley zone when opposition team serves. The distance between the sidelines is about 20 feet, and the volley line is about 15 feet away from the baseline of each side of the court. The height of the net at the sidelines is 36 inches, and 34 inches at the center of the net.
Considering the size of the Pickleball court, you will be amazed to learn some interesting facts about the game. The size of one tennis court is approximately equal to four Pickleball courts, it is nearly a size of badminton court. So, 16 players can play the game in an area that is supposed to be used by the four players.
The smaller size of the Pickleball court provides less room for the player to hit the ball. So, Pickleball players require accuracy and agility are needed to master this game.
Paddles and Balls
In Pickleball, the paddles are used to defend and offense. The surface of the pickleball paddles is flat, and they are made of plastic or wood. With time and advancement in technology, the upper layer of the paddles is made up of high-quality graphite. The solid paddle with smoother surface make it unique. Although, they are different from ping pong paddles.
The perforated plastic ball is used in Pickleball. It is made of plastic and have holes in them. Joen and his friends used plastic balls to play the game. So, the balls used in the game are of those types.
The net used in Pickleball is slightly shorter in height than the tennis net.
Pickleball Rules
The scoring system for the Pickleball is easier to understand. The ball can’t be bounced twice on the field. The opposition fails to hit the ball before touching it, causing a one point loss. Pickleball players need to score 11 points for the win. If points get equal, there needs to be a 2-point difference between the both teams. Players start from “love” to 1,2,3 etc. AN underhand serve is used in the game.
The serving player or team would only be able to get the point. They lose a point if the opposition fails to defend them in the turn. If they successfully defend the turn, the serving team gets the fault, but the opposition doesn’t earn a point. You can earn a point while you are serving in any turn.
Why is Pickleball so Famous?
Pickleball is a fun game to play, and there are more than 5 million players in the United States alone. The game has started gaining more and more attention now.
Due to the smaller playing field, the games are even suitable for aged people. They use this sport to have fun when out for a picking. However, professional athletes have to work hard to play this game as they need to move across the court to hit the ball faster. Pickleball demands great energy, fitness, and agility. Anyone lacking these areas is less likely to be a pro at this game.
Pickleball has been the eye star for tennis players in the past. It provides health benefits, agility, hand-eye coordination, reflexes, and much more. The player moves in the court and perfectly hits the ball in the right areas. In order to do so, the player’s speed of movement matters. However, it can strain their hips, knees, and joints. So, playing Pickleball demands fitness. Choose the right sport if you want to play it for fun or as an exercise.
Pickleball could be played outdoors and indoors. The USA Pickleball Association has worked hard to promote this sport by building courts in public parks and recreational places.
Even older people like to play Pickleball as well. A trick shot is used in Pickleball, where you gently place the ball near the net. Playing these kinds of shots in the game is so much fun, making it even more interesting.
Which Countries Do Play Pickleball?
Pickleball gained huge popularity in the USA back in the 1980s. Many educational institutes have made Pickleball a part of their gymnastics courses. However, it doesn’t hold associations like the United States.
Currently, Pickleball Associations are established in India, Canada, Spain, England, and France. Bigger countries like China, Japan, the Netherlands, and many more are submitting applications. It grows in every part of the earth and will soon be played in every country. However, it is not a part of the Olympics yet. It will be a huge boost to the game when it is a part of the Olympics.
History of the Paddleball
Source: https://sportsmatik.com/
One-Wall Paddleball Court
Source: https://gamerules.com/
Source: https://gamerules.com/
Four-Wall Paddle Tennis Court
Source: https://gamerules.com/
Source: https://gamerules.com/
Size of the Paddle Tennis Courts
The Paddleball court is 50 feet long and has a height of about 20 feet. There are two lines in the paddle tennis courts: one is the short line, and the other one is the long line. The service zone is three feet in width. The serving team uses that area to serve the ball. The restraint line is twelve feet away from the net.
A player must stand within that area and strike the ball against the wall. The server must stay still there until the ball crosses the short line.
The dimensions of a paddle tennis court are different from those of a pickleball court. The enclosed court is the one used in this game. Just like we used to see in table tennis.
Paddles, Balls, and Other Equipment
The paddles used in the Paddleball are roughly the same size as the ones we use in the Pickleball. However, there is no flat surface in the paddles used for Paddleball. Paddles have dotted shapes to create extra spin and power in the shots.
The balls used for the game are not dotted like in Pickleball. Softer rubber balls, with colors yellow and light green, are used. As the ball is made of rubber, there are tight air holes in the ball to give it less friction. The balls are quite similar to the tennis balls.
Players can also use gloves on the playing hand to balance their grips on the paddles. The accuracy of their shots increases while wearing the gloves. However, it is not a compulsion to use it for everyone.
Goggles are a necessary part of the game, as the players have to wear them to protect their eyes from the ball and paddle. It is great to watch a doubles game.
Men have to wear shorts while playing. On the other hand, women can wear short or long skirts of their choice.
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Scoring Rules in Paddleball
There are some difficult rules to understand while playing Paddleball or paddle tennis. A player needs to stand in the serving area even after striking the ball against the wall. If the ball bounces before crossing the short line, it is called a “short.” When the ball bounces beyond the long line, it is said to be the “long out” ball.
If a player steps out of the service area after hitting the ball, it will be considered a fault. He has two chances to serve the ball correctly; otherwise, the point is given to the opposition.
Once a legal serve is executed, the receiver must hit the ball before it bounces twice. He must have to wait for the ball to cross the service line. The point is given to the serving player if he plays it earlier. The play continues, and the point is given to the team that successfully avoids a double bounce. Players have to switch roles after a point is given.
Counting for scores is like tennis. It flows like 15, 30, and 40.
What are the Similarities between Paddleball and Pickleball?
The two games are fun to watch and play. However, are there any similarities between the two games?
- The paddles are the ones that are the same with the slightest differences. The size of the paddles used in both sports is almost equal.
- Both games require high skills like fast feet, agility, and the ability to change directions quickly. Players need to be skillful to hit their shorts with power and precision.
Paddleball vs. Pickleball : The Difference Between the Games
- When comparing pickleball vs. paddleball, the court sizes of these two sports have different lines and dimensions.
- Pickleball is played indoors and outdoors, but that is not the case for Paddleball. It must be played indoors.
- The paddle used in Pickleball provides lesser friction in the shots as it has a smoother surface. In the case of Paddleball, paddles have extra grip to spin the ball.
- The balls used are different in both sizes and shapes. Paddleball uses a rubber ball, while Pickleball is played with a plastic ball with holes.
- Scoring rules and serving methods are different. In Pickleball, the players need to serve underhand diagonally across the court, while in Paddleball, the player needs to serve overhand with power.
- The difficulty level for both games is the same. Both games require practice. However, Pickleball is more fun, while Paddleball is more of an aggressive sport.· There is a difference between Padel and Paddleball sports as well. The rules are also not the same. They are different sports altogether.
Conclusion
Here was the complete guide on Paddleball vs Pickleball, where we discussed different things about these two paddle sports. Both sports are now intentionally recognized and played by top athletes.
If you want to play and work outdoors, Pickleball could be a better choice. This game is fun and burns calories at the same time.
We hope this guide will help you understand both games and give you a comparison of Pickleball vs. Paddleball. Have a nice day!