Just the Basics, Thank You!
Pickleball is a game usually played by four people, and is a combination of table tennis, badminton and tennis. It started in Seattle in 1965.
The basic strokes are the serve, forehand and backhand ground strokes. All played with a swing from the shoulder, finishing with a long arm in front to prevent injury at the elbow. The half volley, swinging volley and the punch volley. The dink, a soft silky shot reaching forward standing at the Non-Volley Line (NVL). Finally the lob and the overhead.
The non-dominant arm should always be used for balance and better rotation into hitting forward into the ball. The paddle should always be held out in front, to be ready promptly, never dropped down in front or at the side of the body. The tip of the paddle should be tracking the movement of the ball at all times. If the ball continually goes into the net, check that the follow-through is high enough. If the ball is always going too high, check the angle of the paddle-face in relation to the net. (There is a new serve, dropped from an open hand, that can be hit after it bounces.)
Rules: The Serve has to be underarm, from low to high, the ball hit below the waist and the paddle has to be below the wrist. No side arm motion, starting with the paddle down low near the back leg. Announce the score before each serve. The serve has to land in the rectangle on the diagonally-opposite side. After the serve, the ball has to bounce on both sides of the net before it can be volleyed (hit in the air). Any serve that hits the net and goes into the correct box has to be played— no more replaying a let serve.
If the players on the same team disagree on the call, the ball is good. A ball touching any line is good, except on the serve the NVL is out.
The player must not step or fall into Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) after hitting a volley. If the ball bounces in the NVZ, a player may go in to hit it.
Keep communication with partner clear and simple. Always hit the return of serve high and deep to keep the receiver back.
Scoring: You can only win a point when you are serving. The first server starts from the right side and the score is 0–0–2. The numbers are: your score --their score— and 1st or 2nd server. The first team to serve only gets one serve, from then on each team has 2 chances to serve. After the 2nd server loses the point, it is side out and the other team serves and the score is 0–0–1. If both teams have won one point each and it is the 2nd server’s turn, the
score is 1–1–2. Play is to 11 points, win by 2 points.
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BASIC STARTING POSITIONS
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BASIC WINNING POSITIONS
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Players 1 and 2 wait behind the service line until
the ball bounces on their side and then move up to the line together. |
Player 3 returns the ball and moves up smoothly to NVL to join their partner.
The first team up to the net usually wins. |
Pickleball is not all about power and speed. It is about careful, patient shots, with disguised angles and changes of tempo. Being ready with quick hands and reactions, along
with simple minimal movement usually wins the point.
It is important to have a team plan of attack; if this does not work, reset the point/plan and start again. The best place to hit the ball is at the opponents’ feet. Keep the ball low over the net when the opponents are at the net. Watch the ball right from the opponents’ paddle. Hit the ball in front of you from a well-balanced position. Don’t forget to breathe and have fun.
Equipment: A good place to buy a paddle is at Pickleball Central, where you can try them out and return them if you are not satisfied. Several companies that make paddles are Head, Gamma, Selkirk, Paddletec, and Engage. Ranging from $60 to $120. Look for sales!
There is a difference between the outdoor and indoor ball; the indoor ball has larger holes.
A good website is USAPA.org to get rules, places to play in the US and future tournaments.
There are many good videos on YouTube and Pickleball Channel. Pickleball is becoming increasingly popular.
Bridget McGrew is a professional certified instructor with the PPR association. With over 40 years of teaching experience, 38 years in Adaptive Physical Education, 25 years as a tennis professional. Played in two US Opens in Florida and many sanctioned and local tournaments. Attended PPR Professional Pickleball Conference for Instructors at Hilton Head Island, February 2019 and 2020, plus a virtual conference in 2021, and is now a PPR Team HEAD member.
Let me share my passion for this wonderful game with you. Have fun!
© 2021 Bridget McGrew
with simple minimal movement usually wins the point.
It is important to have a team plan of attack; if this does not work, reset the point/plan and start again. The best place to hit the ball is at the opponents’ feet. Keep the ball low over the net when the opponents are at the net. Watch the ball right from the opponents’ paddle. Hit the ball in front of you from a well-balanced position. Don’t forget to breathe and have fun.
Equipment: A good place to buy a paddle is at Pickleball Central, where you can try them out and return them if you are not satisfied. Several companies that make paddles are Head, Gamma, Selkirk, Paddletec, and Engage. Ranging from $60 to $120. Look for sales!
There is a difference between the outdoor and indoor ball; the indoor ball has larger holes.
A good website is USAPA.org to get rules, places to play in the US and future tournaments.
There are many good videos on YouTube and Pickleball Channel. Pickleball is becoming increasingly popular.
Bridget McGrew is a professional certified instructor with the PPR association. With over 40 years of teaching experience, 38 years in Adaptive Physical Education, 25 years as a tennis professional. Played in two US Opens in Florida and many sanctioned and local tournaments. Attended PPR Professional Pickleball Conference for Instructors at Hilton Head Island, February 2019 and 2020, plus a virtual conference in 2021, and is now a PPR Team HEAD member.
Let me share my passion for this wonderful game with you. Have fun!
© 2021 Bridget McGrew