Pickleball history

1965 : After playing golf one Saturday during the summer, Joel Pritchard,
congressman from Washington State and Bill Bell, successful businessman, returned
to Pritchard's home on Bainbridge Island, WA (near Seattle) to find their families sitting
around with nothing to do. The property had an old badminton court so Pritchard and
Bell looked for some badminton equipment and could not find a full set of rackets. They
improvised and started playing with ping-pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball. At
first they placed the net at badminton height of 60 inches and volleyed the ball over
the net. As the weekend progressed, the players found that the ball bounced well on the
asphalt surface and soon the net was lowered to 36 inches. The following
weekend, Barney McCallum was introduced to the game at Pritchard's home. Soon, the
three men created rules, relying heavily on badminton. They kept in mind the original
purpose, which was to provide a game that the whole family could play together.

In the summer of 1965, pickleball was founded by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney
McCallum on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Within days, Joan Pritchard had come up
with the name "pickle ball" — a reference to the thrown-together leftover non-starters
in the "pickle boat" of crew races. Many years later, as the sport grew, a controversy
ensued when a few neighbors said they were there when Joan named the game after the
family dog, Pickles. Joan and the Pritchard family have held fast for decades that the
dog came along a few years later and was named after the game.

1967: The first permanent pickleball court was constructed in the backyard of Joel
Pritchard's friend and neighbor, Bob O Brian.

1972: A corporation was formed to protect the creation of this new sport.

1975: The National Observer published an article about pickleball followed by a 1976
article in Tennis magazine about "America's newest racquet sport.”

1976: During the spring of 1976, the first known pickleball tournament in the world was
held at South Center Athletic Club in Tukwila, Washington. David Lester won Men's
Singles and Steve Paranto placed second. Many of the participants were college
tennis players who knew very little about pickleball. In fact, they practiced with large
wood paddles and a softball sized plastic ball.

1978: The book, The Other Racquet Sports, was published and included
information about pickleball.

1982: Pickleball pioneer Sid Williams began playing and organizing tournaments in
Washington state.
1984: The United States Amateur Pickleball Association (U.S.A.P.A.) was organized to
perpetuate the growth and advancement of pickleball on a national level. The first rule
book was published in March 1984.

The first Executive Director and President of U.S.A.P.A. was Sid Williams who served
from 1984 to 1998. He was followed by Frank Candelario who kept things going until
2004.

The first composite paddie was made by Arien Paranto, a Boeing Industrial
Engineer. He used the fiberglass/nomex honeycomb panels that commercial airlines
use for their floors and part of the airplane's structural system. Arlen made about 1,000
paddles from fiberglass/honeycomb core and graphite/honeycomb core materials until
he sold the company to Frank Candelari

1990: Pickleball was being played in all 50 states.

1992: Pickle-Ball, Inc. manufactured pickleballs in-house with a custom drilling

machine.

1997: Joel Pritchard passed away at age 72. Though he was Washington State's
Lieutenant governor from 1988 to 1996, he is probably better known for his connection
to the birth of pickleball.

2001: The game of pickleball was introduced for the first time in the Arizona Senior
Olympics through the efforts of Earl Hill. The tournament was played at Happy Trails
RV Resort in Surprise, AZ and drew 100 players. It was the largest event ever played to
that point. Over the next few years the event grew to nearly 300 players.

2003: Pickleball was included for the first time in the Huntsman World Senior
Games, held each year in St. George, Utan during October.

2005: A new corporation for the sport was established as USA Pickleball Association
(USAPA). Mark Friedenberg was named the first president of the new USAPA and
the first Board of Director.

Pickleball was developed so people could have fun, so it only makes sense that the
rules should remain simple. Even the most novice sports-inclined recreationalists are
somewhat familiar with tennis, table tennis (ping pong) and badminton - all very similar
racquet sports. As luck would have it, pickleball is an amalgam of these popular games.

As you read through the rules below, you'll see that pickleball borrows a little from each
of the three sports.
These are the top 9 pickleball skills you need specifically for doubles in order to be a
force on the court:

1. Dinking and Dink Volleys

2. Attacking from the non-volley zone line.
3. Resetting & Blocking from the non-volley zone line & mid-court.
4. Baseline Skills which include groundstrokes such as flat drives, topspin
dipping drives and underspin (also referred to as slicing) and of course also
dropping
5. Transition Zone skills which include drop volleys, drop half volleys, driving
volleys as well as driving, dropping and rolling approach groundstrokes.
6. Serving
7. Returning
8. Lobs
9. Overheads

We have developed a doubles skills mastery program that covers every one of these
skills. Some of these game base drills cover one or two of these skills in depth while
others cover many at once.

Dinks Only Warm Up

First up is the dink warm up. We're going to do a 2 minute dinking only warm up. The
dinking warm up before drilling is very important to get your body warmed up and
loosened up in preparation for the drills to come. This is a critical part of pickleball. We
see many players that don't take enough of a warm up which can and does lead to
injuries.

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and

ping-pong.

Some of the basic rules of pickleball are:

● The game is played on a court similar to a tennis court, but smaller.

● The game can be played as singles or doubles.
● The serve is made underhand and diagonally across the court.
● The ball must bounce twice before either team can hit it in the air (volley).
● Players cannot volley the ball while standing in the non-volley zone (also called
the kitchen), which is the area 7 feet from the net on both sides.

To begin the game, the ball is served diagonally over the net. The server will stand
behind the service line of the right-hand service square and hit the ball underhand and
below the waist. Furthermore, the server cannot bounce the ball off the ground before
hitting it. In order for the serve to be considered in play, it must clear the seven-foot no
volley area and land in the service court left of where the server is standing. The server
will alternate from right to left service areas after each service point, but unlike tennis
where the server gets two attempts, only one serve is allowed in pickleball.

However, if the ball hits the net and lands in play, the server gets another attempt.

SCORE

A player or team can only score a point when they're serving. The player or team
continues serving until they make a fault, at which point the other team will take over
the service. A team can score a point on a serve when the ball lands in the service area
and the opposing team is either unable to make contact with the ball or hits it
out of bounds or into the net. If the ball is successfully returned and a volley ensues,
only the service team gains a point when the opposing team hits the ball out of bounds
or is unable to make a return volley on a ball that drops in fair play. Each fault
is worth one point to the serving team.

Your success at pickleball depends largely on your ability to hit the ball within the lines
on the court. A line call is simply A vertical indication of whether the ball hit within the
line or outside of it. For example, if a player shouts out? that means the bail has traveled
beyond the line and out of fair play. In most situations, the players are responsible for
making objective judgments on line calls, and watch making the call on their respective
sides. The code of ethics established ty the USAPA says that "If a call is in question, it
should be resolved in favor of the opponent."

FAULT

touches the files to hit the ball before it Bounces twice on a players court; hitting the ball
out. A fault ceases all play, because a rule has been violated. This can range from hitting
the ball into the net during a serve.

touches the net, elther with their paddie, clothes or any part of the body, that's
considered a fault. it's atso a fault if the ball strikes a player. However, If the ball hits a
player's paddle hand below the wrist, the ball is considered to be in play.

Finally, hitting a player who is out of bounds is also considered a fault.

DEAD-BALL

When a fault has occurred, the ball is deemed "dead." Basically, any action that stops
play will require declaring the ball dead. The ball will not be considered dead While It is
in play until the moment it bounces twice. Players might also call a ball dead when
anything hinders play, such as a stray ball that comes onto the playing surface or a
person who disrupts play by walking onto the court.

NON VOLLEY-ZONE

The non-volley zone is kind of like a "no man's land." The zone extends sevin feet from
the net on either side of it, and Boes out to the sidelines. Players can't volley a ball while
standing in this zone. Doing so will be considered a fault.

Players will otten try a drop shot volley, which is a shot that lands as close as possible to
the net, preventing the opposing team from making a volley attempt. A successful serve
is one that clears the net but also clears the non-volley zone line.

TIME OUT

Whether you're playing singles or doubles, only time outs are allowed por game for the
side (team). Time out is limited to 60 seconds in length. If a server has started the
serving motion, you can't call a time-out; you can only call a time-out when the ball is
not in play. Should the game rules be augmented so the winner is trying to reach 21
points, each side is allowed three total time outs. Another exception is for injury time
out; however, it must be agreed either with the referee or opposing team that an injury
has taken place, Injury time outs are limited to 15 minutes. If the injured person
connects play, the match goe to the opponent. There is also regulament time out. While
players are expected to maintain their clothing and equipment during regular time outs
and during the brief periods between games (not to exceed two minutes), fair and safe
continuation of the match is also the priority. Should something occur during regular
play that compromises clothing or equipment, a two minute equipment timeout can be
called.

Rule #1: each rally begins with a serve

The pickleball game (and each rally) starts with a serve. The player on the right side of
their court always

starts the serve. You serve diagonally to your opponent:

• The person serving can either hit the ball after it bounces or out of the air (a "volley
serve") and their serve must clear the kitchen (including the line).

When hitting the volley serve, it must be hit with an underhand forehand and backhand
stroke with contact below the waist. Your paddle must also move in an upward area
when you strike the ball.
Rule #2: the ball must bounce once on each side before either team can
volley

Before any player can hit a shot out of the air (called a volley), the ball must bounce once
on each side (known as the "two-bounce rule".

So, If your partner is serving and you start up in the kitchen, you're in a dangerous
position. Why? This is because the returning team can hit a shot right at you. If you
react with a volley, It's considered a fault and you'll lose the point because you didn't let
the ball bounce first on your side.

Rule #3: each point continues until a fault:

After the serve, play continues until a rally is won either by someone hitting a winning
shot or a "fault" is committed. A fault ends the rally. In pickleball, there are four basic
fault types:

The serve lands outside of the required service area or beyond the kitchen (including the
line).

Terminologies:

Bounce It: Instructions called out to partner to not hit the ball and let it bounce
(because you think it will Body bag or Tag: Hitting an opponent with the ball land out of
bounds)

Carry: A shot where the pickleball does not bounce directly off the paddle but rather is
carried along the face of the paddle during the forward swing.

Centerline: The line that extends from the Non-Volley Zone to the Baseline and
divides the service court into two equal halves.

Champion Shot: A pickleball shot that bounces twice in the Non-Volley Zone.

Chop: Slice from high to low to put backspin on the pickleball.

Cross-court: The court area diagonally opposite your side court.

Dead Ball: A ball is declared after a fault; the point is over.

Dillball: Shot that is inbounds and has bounced once; a live ball.

Dink Shot: A soft shot that arcs over the net and falls into the opposing non-volley
zone.
Distraction: Physical actions by a player that are 'not common to the game' that, in the
judgment of the referee, interfere with the opponent's ability or concentration to hit the
ball.

Doubles: Pickleball game played between 4 people (2 on each team). Teams can be
men, women or mixed doubles.

Double Bounce: A ball that bounces more than once on one side of the net before
being returned resulting in a lost point.

Double Hit: Ball is hit twice by one team before returning over the net. Double hits
may occur when the same player hits twice or can involve both players on a team.

Down the Line: A pickleball shot that travels near and parallel to the sideline.

Drive: A forehand shot hit straight and low, deep into the opposing backcourt.

Drop Shot: A soft shot that clears the pickleball net and then falls short of the opposing
players.

Drop Shot Volley: A type of volley shot done to take speed off the ball and return it
short, near the net when opponents are positioned at the baseline. This shot is especially
effective when initiated close to the non-volley line.

Drop Spin: A shot that is chopped or sliced to drop sharply after it crosses the net; this
is an advanced pickleball shot.

Erne: When a player lunges over the corner of the kitchen (Non-Volley Zone) out of
bounds to get closer to the net and smash the ball without breaking the rule of placing
one's feet in the Non-Volley Zone before the ball hits the ground.

Face: The broad surface of either side of the pickleball paddle used to strike the ball.

Falafel: "Dead paddle" or a short shot due to hitting the pickleball ball with little or no
power.

Fault: A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation.

Flick shot: When you flick your paddle downward as you extend your arm near the net
and reach for a ball that otherwise would barely land in the kitchen and be difficult to hit
with speed.

Flapjack: A midair pickleball shot that must bounce once before it can be hit during
one of the first two shots of any point (the return of serve or return of the serve return).
After the third shot, no bounce is necessary, and it can be volleyed (hit in midair without
bouncing).

Flat Face: Keeping the pickleball paddle hitting the surface parallel to the net.

Foot Fault: On the pickleball serve, at least one foot must be behind the baseline;
neither foot may contact the baseline or court until after the ball is struck, breaking
either of these rules is a serving foot fault. A Non-Volley Zone foot fault is when
volleying a ball, the player steps in the Non-Volley Zone or steps on the line of the NVZ.

Forehand: Paddle stroke on the same side of the body as you are holding the paddle. A
right-handed player's forehand would start with their right hand behind them and
follow-through across their body.

Game: A series of points played until one team has accumulated 11 points (winning by 2
points). Some pickleball tournaments play games to 15 or 21 points (win by 2).

Grip: The manner in which you hold the paddle handle with your hand (i.e., continental
grip) or the material that is wrapped around the paddle handle to protect it and provide
cushioning.

Groundstroke: Hitting the ball after one bounce (compare to a volley which is hit
midair).

Half-Volley: A groundstroke shot where the paddle contacts the ball immediately after
it bounces from the court. The ball is still low before it has risen to its maximum bounce
height.

Head: Part of the pickleball paddle above the handle that includes the paddle face
(hitting surface and paddle edge).

Hinder: Any element that interferes with play or an occurrence that affects play.

Inside-out: Shot across the court at an angle away from your body rather than across
it.

Junior: Player between the ages of 7 and 19. USAPA Juniors was created in 2016 to
support these younger players.

Kamikaze: A player who charges the non-volley line aggressively while the opponent
hits the ball, often to intercept a shot quickly.

Kitchen: Slang term for the Non-Volley Zone.

Let: A serve that hits the net cord and lands in the service court. Let serves are replayed,
just as in Tennis.

Let Ace (or Lettuce): A serve that hits the net and still lands in the correct service
area, resulting in an ace if the opponent is unable to return it.

Line Calls: Verbal indication said out loud indicating if the ball bounced inbounds or
out of bounds, Normally players call the in/out on their side and the opposing team
makes calls on their respective side.

Live Ball: The period when the ball is actively in play, starting from the serve until a
fault or dead ball is called.

Lob: A return shot sent as high and deep as possible, thereby forcing the opposing side
back to the baseline.

Midcourt: The middle area on the pickleball court between the Non-Volley Zone and
the baseline.

Momentum: When a player's forward motion after a shot carries them briefly into the
kitchen. This is legal unless the ball is hit.

Non-Volley Zone (NVZ): The 7-foot section of court on either side of the net.
Pickleball players are not allowed to volley the ball in this zone. It includes all lines
surrounding the zone. Also known as "The Kitchen" and the NVZ.

Nutmeg or 5-hole: When a player hits the ball through the opponent's legs, a tricky
and often surprising shot.

OPA!: Sometimes shouted out after the third shot has been hit; open volleying has
begun.

Open Face: Holding the pickleball paddle tilted slightly upward.

Paddle: The equivalent to the racket in racquetball or tennis. Pickleball paddles can be
made of wood, composite or graphite.

Passing Shot: A volley or groundstroke shot that is aimed at a distance from the player
and is designed to prevent return of the ball.

Permanent Object: Any object around the pickleball court that could interfere with
the flight of the ball. Permanent objects may include walls, fences, fixtures, lights, net
posts, bleachers or spectator seating, the referee, line judges, spectators themselves, and
all other objects around and above the court.
Pickle!: Warning shouted out by the server to alert all players on the pickleball court
that they are about to serve.

Pickled: The equivalent to getting "skunked" in other sports, scoring zero points in a
whole game. If you lose a pickleball game 11-0, you've been "pickled".

Pickledome: Court where the championship match in a pickleball tournament is

played. Something similar to center court in tennis. **Continuing from the last point:

Pickler: A pickleball addict. A pickleball freak who can't stop talking about the sport.

Poach: In doubles pickleball, to cross over into your partner's side of the court to hit a
shot.

Punch Shot: Quick, short volley shot with little backswing and short follow-through.

Punch Volley: A fast volley shot executed with a short backswing and a "punching"
motion for speed and precision.

Put Away: A shot with no chance of being returned.

Racket/Racquet: See "Paddle" above.

Rally: Continuous play that occurs from the time the ball is served and until play ends
in a fault.

Rally Scoring: A way of scoring where every side can earn a point, and the winning
team of the rally gets the point and serves.

Ready Position: Ideal position to receive the ball for return. Paddle is out in front of
the player's body and up at chest height with a neutral grip for either forehand or
backhand return. Weight is evenly balanced and weight on toes with knees slightly bent
and ready to move in any direction.

Receiver: Player diagonally opposite from the server who will return the serve.

Replay: Any rally that is replayed for any reason without the awarding of a point or a
change of server.

Resetting (or Reset): To stop a hard/fast rally and bring it back into the kitchen for
dinking.

Second Serve: The second serve by one team after having faulted on their first serve.
Serve: An underhand stroke used to put the pickleball into play. Serving team has two
attempts to serve the point. Paddle must contact the ball under the server's waist level.

Server Number: The number (1 or 2) indicating which server is serving for each team
in the pickleball serving sequence.

Service Court: The area on either side of the center line, bounded by the non-volley
line, the baseline, and the

Service Outside Scoring: The current scoring system used in Pickleball where you
need to be serving to score points.

Shadowing: The strategy in Pickleball of moving in tandem with your team partner,
keeping roughly 10 feet between each other. Both players move laterally, approach the
net, or retreat to the baseline together in sync.

Sideline: The lateral border of the pickleball court delimiting the playing zone from the
out-of-bounds area.

Side Out: Declared after one side loses its service and the other side is awarded the
serve.

Singles: Playing pickleball with only 2 players, one player on each side.

Skill Level Rating: A measure of a player's skill, typically used to determine

appropriate partners and opponents in matches.

Slice: A chop shot used to create backspin on the ball.

Slammers: Hard-hitting aggressive players who rely on overpowering shots to put

points away.

Smash: Shot that is hit above the hitter's head with a serve-like motion. It is also
referred to as an overhead.

Split Stance: Position with feet separate and parallel in the "ready position" to return
the ball.

Split Step: When a player has a slight and consistent bounce with their feet so they are
ready to react quickly and move in any direction.

Stacking: A doubles offensive formation in which the two players are on the same side
of the court before the serve or return and then shift into a spot they feel more
comfortable with after the ball is in play.
Stroke: The swinging motion of striking the pickleball with the paddle (i.e., forehand
stroke, backhand stroke, groundstroke).

Technical Foul: In tournament play, the referee may add a point to a team's score
when the opponent violates one of the rules calling for a technical foul other than
standard faults in play. For example, abusive language or unsportsmanlike play.

Technical Warning: An initial verbal warning issued by a referee for minor rule
infractions or unsportsmanlike behavior before escalating to a technical foul.

Third Shot: The second return after the serve, often strategically used to gain an
advantageous position.

Top Spin: Applying spin to the ball from low to high causing the pickleball ball to spin
in the same direction as the flight of the ball.

Transition Zone: An area between the baseline and the non-volley zone line that
serves as a middle ground as players move from far hitting shots to dinks near the
non-volley zone.

Two Bounce Rule: In pickleball: after the ball is served, the receiving team must let
the ball bounce before returning, and then the serving team must also let it bounce
before returning. After the third hit, the ball can be volleyed (hit midair without
bouncing).

Unattackable ball: A good drop shot or dink shot or reset shot that does not bounce
high enough to be attacked (bounce height is lower than the net).

Volley: Hitting the ball in the air before the ball has a chance to bounce onto the
pickleball court.

Volley Llama: Term referring to an illegal move (fault) where a pickleball player hits a
volley shot in the Non-Volley Zone.