What is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a game for anyone and for any age. Pickleball mixes tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. The game can be played both indoors and outdoors on a badminton sized court and a slightly shorter net than a tennis net. It is played with a paddle and a slightly heavier and more durable whiffle ball. The game can be played as doubles or singles.

Where can I play Pickleball?

There are over 150,000 courts in the United States and at least one location in all 50 states. The one outdoor court closest to Northeast High School is located at Upco park on 48th and Adams. The closest indoor facility is in Omaha located in the Elite complex/Genesis Gym. Pickleball is now being introduced to kids and teenages in P.E. classes. As more retirees have picked up pickleball, it has grown exponentially in the resident population which sparked the construction of more Pickleball courts, especially in the southern states. According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association’s 2016 Report, there are more than 2.5 million pickleballers in the United States.

How did Pickleball get its name?

The inventors of Pickleball, the Pritchards, named Pickleball after their dog named Pickles because he  would chase the ball and run off with it. The Pritchards made the statement “Pickles is fun and you’re having fun at a party, right? So anyways, let’s just call it pickleball.”

What are the dimensions of a Pickleball Court?

A pickleball court is the same size as a doubles badminton court and measures 20 x 44 feet. The net is 36 inches tall at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle. The court is striped like a tennis court with right and left service courts and a 7 foot non volley zone in front of the net called the “Kitchen”.

What equipment do I need to play Pickleball?

Equipment needed to play Pickleball is a paddle, which is a larger sized ping-pong paddle. A pickleball which is unique, with holes through it like a whiffle ball. There are different models of pickleballs. There are specific indoor pickleballs and specific outdoor pickleballs. Balls come in different colors like white, yellow and green. A ball must be one single solid color to meet the International Federation of Pickleball rules.

What do I wear to play Pickleball?

Pickleball has no specific “uniform”. Players can wear anything that is comfortable. Tennis skirts are common for females, and basketball shorts are common for males. Court shoes are needed to be worn while playing. Sneakers or running shoes do not work because they do not support the strenuous side to side movements.