By Laurie Sprague 

The ball is easier to hit, the court is easier to cover, the strategy is easier to master: Pickleball is for all ages and skill levels, and suddenly it’s everywhere. Here, all you need to know to join in the fun.

Who knew that one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States would require nothing more than a modified wiffle ball and a pingpong-like racquet-paddle? Pickleball, invented in 1965 by three fathers on Bainbridge Island, Washington, to engage their bored kids, is a hybrid of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It’s played indoors or outdoors, as singles or doubles, on a badminton-size court. The name of the sport may come from the crew-rowing “pickle boat” (filled with leftover oarsmen from other boats, a nod to the cobbled-together rules of pickleball) or from Pickles, the cocker spaniel owned by one of the creators.

The appeal? It’s an easy game for beginners of all ages to pick up: At the most basic level, it doesn’t require too much running or skill, and when it comes to equipment, all you need is a paddle, a ball, comfortable clothes, and court shoes. And it doesn’t hurt that it’s one of the few sports grandparents and grandchildren can play together. But it can also be fast-paced and competitive for experienced players.

The game became popular with the 55-and-older set in Sun Belt states around 2009, quickly making pickleball courts a must-have amenity at many retirement communities. Given its continued popularity, pickleball has been popping up at local parks and rec departments, schools, gyms, country clubs, and resorts all over the country. The clearest sign of its success? It boasts its own professional tour, the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), which livestreams its annual championship. There’s even talk of pickleball one day becoming an Olympic sport.

THE BASICS

A pickleball court is roughly half the size of a tennis court—20 feet by 44 feet for both singles and doubles—and the net is roughly the same height as in tennis. You use a paddle to hit a plastic ball, which is perforated so it travels more slowly and doesn’t bounce too high.

Players take turns serving from alternate sides of the court; you can score points only when your team is serving, but you forfeit the right to serve when a point is lost (a “fault”). The sport’s unique “two-bounce rule” says the receiving team must allow the ball to bounce before returning it, then the serving team must do the same. After the ball has bounced once on each side of the court, either team may hit the ball after it bounces, or directly on the fly (a “volley”), as long as they’re not standing in the non-volley zone, commonly called “the kitchen,” which extends seven feet back from the net on each side. This helps eliminate overhead lobs or smashes from that area. The scoring may seem slightly complicated at first, but it’s easy enough after a few practice rounds. Usapickleball.org is the official website of the USA Pickleball Association and has more information. 

THE EQUIPMENT 

Paddles: Paddles are made of wood, graphite, or a composite. Wood paddles tend to be the least expensive, but they’re also the heaviest; composites are more expensive, but tend to be easiest to use.  For beginnersthat’s roughly 7.6 ounces or “middleweight,” since heavier paddles can lead to elbow issues. Another important consideration: grip size. Beyond that, pickleball paddles come in two basic shapes, with shorter and rounder or more elongated heads. People who also play tennis often prefer the elongated head. Last but not least, think about handle length. Most players do well with a short handle, but if you have a two-handed backhand, for example, then go with the longer one. 

Balls: Hollow, perforated, and plastic, pickleballs are designed for either indoor or outdoor use. Indoor balls have bigger holes and are slightly lighter, while outdoor balls tend to be a little heavier, more durable, and have smaller holes to help cut down on the impact of the wind. Many players use outdoor balls even when they’re inside.

Nets: If you don’t live near a pickleball court, or if you want to take your court with you, a portable net system is the way to go. Most can be set up in under 10 minutes and