Frequently Asked Pickleball Questions
Whether you’re a first-time pickleball player or a seasoned professional, many terms, rules, and phrases might confuse you. That’s why we’re here to help! Jax Pickleball Store has compiled commonly asked pickleball questions in one place to answer all of your questions. Here are frequently asked pickleball questions.
What is Pickleball?
Pickleball is one of America’s fastest-growing sports, with around 2.5 million players. A combination of tennis, ping pong, and badminton, players compete on a badminton-size court and hit perforated plastic balls to reach eleven points.
Who Invented Pickleball?
Pickleball was invented in 1965 by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum in Bainbridge Island, WA. According to legend, their kids were bored so the fathers combined ping-pong paddles, a badminton net, and a wiffle ball to create their sport. They wrote down the rules the next weekend, and the first official pickleball court was created in the backyard of Pritchard’s neighbor, Bill O’Brian, two years later. The rest, they say, is history.
Why is it Called Pickleball?
There are numerous stories about how the name came to be. The two main ones are the sport being named after Pritchard’s dog, Pickles, and the combination of ping pong, tennis, and badminton reminded one of the creators of a pickle boat. This is where the boat’s crew is made up of leftover oarsmen from other boats.
How Do You Play?
The rules of pickleball can’t be properly explained in just a few sentences. The goal is to beat your opponent by reaching eleven points first and winning by two points. The game can be played in singles or teams, and points can only be scored during active play by the serving team. To learn more, head over to our Pickleball Rules blog.
What Equipment Do I Need?
When playing pickleball, you don’t need much. All you need is a great paddle, a pickleball, athletic clothing/shoes, and a net!
Who Plays Pickleball?
Everyone! Pickleball is great for players of all ages. Ranging from children to elderly players, you can expect to find people aged 6-65+ on the courts.
Why Do People Play Pickleball?
There are a multitude of reasons people play pickleball. For older players, it’s a low-impact sport and is great for players that have physical limitations, like joint, knee, or hip problems. Others enjoy the social aspect of the sport, being able to meet new people. It even offers positive impacts on mental health. The main reason everyone plays it is that it’s fun!
Where Can I Play?
There are multiple places to play pickleball! We recommend you look at your local YMCA, recreation centers, and parks. Many places will have courts set aside for pickleball usage.
How Can I Learn?
Jax Pickleball Store has introduction clinics available for anyone who wants to learn. All equipment is provided by us and all you need to bring is yourself, athletic clothes, shoes, water, and friends.
We hope this helps answer your questions. If you’d like to learn more about pickleball or schedule an introductory clinic with owner Andy, contact Jax Pickleball Store. We look forward to meeting all of your pickleball needs!
