The newest court craze
Pickleball
What is pickleball?
Pickleball has taken off as the latest paddle sport craze, quickly gaining popularity in Australia. It's bringing loads of excitement to players nationwide, with more cities, parks and recreation centres joining in on the fun.
Designed to be inclusive for everyone, regardless of age or skill level, pickleball boasts straightforward rules that are a breeze for beginners to pick up. Yet, as you get into it, the game can ramp up into a fast-paced, competitive showdown. For those who excel, there's even the prestigious Australian Pickleball Championships to aim for.
Mixing elements from tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, pickleball offers both singles and doubles play. All you need is a paddle and a plastic ball with those distinctive little holes, and you're ready to dive into the action.
Designing a pickleball court
The standard pickleball court, which shares dimensions with a badminton court at 6.09m x 13.41m, features simplified lines reminiscent of tennis courts, making it adaptable to various locations. All you really need to kick off a game is a solid surface and a net, but for those aiming for the ideal pickleball setup, there's ample opportunity to customise your playing area.
Check out our height-adjustable MUGA that can be used for Pickleball and other sports.
Considering starting from scratch? Opting for a minimum space of 6.09m x 13.41m is advised to ensure optimal pickleball play. If you happen to have a larger area at your disposal, such as an unused tennis court, you can easily convert it into multiple pickleball courts, multiplying the fun. Even spaces designated for basketball, volleyball, soccer, and other sports can undergo a transformation into the next pickleball hotspot.
For more insights on creating the perfect place to play, check out our recommended pickleball court solution.
Rules of pickleball
How to play
Once you and your opponent/s have set up at a local pickleball court, here are the rules on how to play:
Court: The court is divided into left and right service courts by a centerline and a non-volley zone (or "kitchen") extending 7 feet from the net on both sides.
Equipment: Players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials and a perforated plastic ball, similar to a wiffle ball.
Serve: The serve must be made underhand and diagonally cross-court. The server must stand behind the baseline and serve to the diagonally opposite service court. The serve must clear the non-volley zone and land within the opposing diagonal court. Only one serve attempt is allowed, except in the case of a fault.
Volley and Non-Volley Zone: Players are not allowed to volley (hit the ball in the air without it bouncing) while standing within the non-volley zone, except for certain exceptions like when the ball bounces in the non-volley zone or if it's below the net level. This rule prevents players from "smashing" the ball close to the net.
Scoring: Points are scored only by the serving team. Games are usually played to 11 points, and the winning team must win by at least 2 points. A match is typically the best of three games.
Faults: Common faults include serving out of bounds, stepping into the non-volley zone and volleying, failing to return the ball before it bounces twice, and hitting the ball into the net or out of bounds.
Double Bounce Rule: The double bounce rule states that each team must allow the ball to bounce once on their side before volleying it. After the ball has bounced once on each side, both teams may volley the ball.
Service Order: At the beginning of the game, the serving team is determined by a coin toss or another method. The serving team must rotate their positions after each successful point.
These are the basic rules of pickleball. There are additional nuances and strategies to the game, but this overview should give you a good understanding to start playing.
More information on pickleball rules are available on the Pickleball Australia Association website.
One outdoor solution = multiple sport arenas
The Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) system presents a versatile solution tailored for a variety of sports such as pickleball, basketball, soccer, and more! Through the implementation of barriers, the court boundaries are clearly marked, while the option for a tall fence ensures that the play remains contained within the designated sports area. These fenced-in solutions are equipped with various gates, ensuring accessibility for all, including individuals using wheelchairs.
MUGA systems actively support and encourage the participation in diverse sports, allowing you to offer a wide array of activities to users. Customisations can be made to incorporate goals for hockey and soccer, hoops for basketball, and height-adjustable nets to cater to volleyball, tennis, badminton, and pickleball needs.
KOMPAN Multi-Use Games Area: see it in action
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