New to Pickleball? Here's How to Play in Wisconsin
You’ve heard about it around the office, from the neighbors, or from friends and family, confused as to why you’re not hip to the game that’s taken hold of the country.
It’s… PICKLEBALL!
Pickleball is sweeping the nation. It combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong to create a versatile and fun game for people of all ages and skill levels.
You likely have friends or family who play, and maybe you’re starting to feel like you’re missing out on all the fun. If you still haven’t experienced the sheer joy and excitement of pickleball, C&C Courts is here to help! We’ll explain the rules so you can hit the court and start playing!
Quick Facts: How to Play Pickleball
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The Sport: Pickleball is a paddle sport, like a cross between ping pong and tennis.
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The Equipment: Pickleball paddles for each player, a pickleball ball, and a 20’x44’ court
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Gameplay: Players take turns serving the ball diagonally over the net and hitting it back until one team fails to return it.
What Is Pickleball?
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of several sports into one easy-to-learn game. It was developed in the 1960s in Bainbridge Island, Washington. While it has been around for decades, it has seen a more recent surge in popularity in Wisconsin.
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Playing Field: Played on tennis courts with lower nets or dedicated pickleball courts
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Playing Seasons: Pickleball can be played almost year-round, depending on the weather.
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Indoor vs Outdoor: Spring and summer in Wisconsin are perfect for pickleball, but you may need to shift indoors around October due to the weather.
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The Objective: Score points to win.
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How to Win: Win by scoring the most points, hitting the ball so your opponent cannot return it.
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Play Style: Pickleball can be played as Singles or Doubles
What Equipment Do I Need to Play Pickleball?
There are three main pieces of equipment you need to play pickleball, which include:
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Paddle: Paddles are solid and made of wood or composite materials. They are a little larger than a ping-pong paddle.
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Ball: Pickleball balls are perforated plastic balls, like wiffle balls, designed to reduce speed and provide better control.
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Net: The net is similar to a tennis net but lower.
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Court: A 20’x44’ court. A tennis court with pickleball boundary lines works well, too.
How to Play Pickleball in 10 Easy Steps: The Quick Start Guide
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Step 1: Get a paddle and a ball
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Step 2: Find an opponent or three friends for a Doubles match
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Step 3: Learn the non-volley zone, aka The Kitchen (a 7-foot area on both sides of the net)
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Step 4: Serve the ball diagonally over the net.
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Step 5: Volley the ball or let it bounce once before returning
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Step 6: Follow the Double Bounce Rule: each team must let the ball bounce once on their side before volleying
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Step 7: Score points by hitting the ball over the net in a way that the opponents can’t return it
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Step 8: In Doubles, rotate the server before the other team can serve
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Step 9: Avoid Faults:
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Step 10: Play to 11 or 21 points, but the winning team must win by 2 points
Build Your Own Wisconsin Pickleball Court With C&C Courts
If you have the backyard space, consider building your own custom backyard pickleball court with C&C Courts. We have over 30 years of sports court design and build experience.
Building a pickleball court is a great way to hone your skills and never run out of places to play. You can host tournaments and invite the neighborhood over to show off your new pickleball skills. A backyard pickleball court is also a great way to create a no-mow space.
Ready to Build a Backyard Pickleball Court?
