What Is Pickleball? - Origin, History & Popularity
Introduction
In the era of sports that are played on courts, a new game is slowly and steadily climbing up the ladder of popularity among sports enthusiasts. Pickleball!
You might wonder, what is pickleball and how did pickleball get its name?
Pickleball has become the fastest growing sport and the craze is matching up with top sports like tennis in the United States and across the globe. The sport is played with a paddle and a ball with a minimum of two players required to play at a time.
Pickleball combines elements of badminton, and table tennis but with different sets of rules and challenges. So, what exactly is pickleball, and where did it come from?
In this article, we'll take you through the exciting history of pickleball, how this small backyard game transitioned into a global phenomenon. You’ll get answers to several questions like history of pickleball, pickleball origin, where did pickleball get its name from, pickleball popularity by country, and many more.
Let’s learn about this beautiful game that deserves the recognition it has received in the past few years.
What Is Pickleball?
As said in the introduction, pickleball is an outdoor sport that is played on a court quite similar to other sports like badminton and tennis. It also has a net to divide the court into two halves.
At a time, two players can take up one and the other side and face each other across the net. The game has a few mandatory lists of equipment like paddles, pickleball, and net.
Pickleball is also played in a similar manner like badminton and tennis where there are two formats; singles and doubles. Each team or player plays with the objective to score higher points to his counterpart and forcing his opponent to fail in returning the ball under rules and regulations.
There are some basic fundamental rules in the game of pickleball that has to be kept in mind while playing:
- Serves from both the players have to be made underhand and diagonally across the court and over the net.
- Points are gained to the team who has served the ball in the first gameplay.
- The ball has to get bounced at least once on each side of the court before volleys are allowed.
- There is a term “kitchen” also known as the non-volley zone, is a 7-sq foot area on both sides of the court where players aren’t permitted to volley the ball in the running game.
- Winner is the duo or single player who is able to attain the benchmark of 11 points, along with the lead of 2 points first.
The rules of pickleball may seem confusing if you’re pretty new to the game, but they are responsible for creating a fast-paced and exciting game. The minimal equipment makes this sport easily accessible to players of all caliber and ages.
If you are a beginner and want to enjoy this game, we’d recommend picking up a light-weight beginner friendly paddle, as it will make your learning curve real quick.
And, if you’re an intermediate pickleball player waiting to launch yourself on a bigger stage, you have to get yourself the best weapon available. These intermediate pickleball paddles are preferred by players who follow this sport seriously and play official games.
History of Pickleball: Origin & Evolution of the Game
The Birth of Pickleball
The story of pickleball starts in the year 1965, one fine summer day on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Joel Pritchard, a congressman from Washington State, and his friend Bill Bell returned home from a game of golf to find their families sitting around with nothing to do.
They had an old badminton court, although a complete set of rackets was nowhere to be seen.
In the meantime, they grabbed some table tennis paddles, a perforated plastic ball, and lowered the badminton net to come up with a new game that the whole family could enjoy. As luck would have it, this makeshift game would become a global phenomenon.
Where Did Pickleball Get Its Name From?
Everybody who plays this game has had this question strike their mind at some point. In fact, there are two popular theories about how the sport got its name.
- Joan, Joel Pritchard's wife, claims that she started referring to pickleball because the mix of sports reminded her of a pickle boat in crew, where oarsmen were chosen from the remnants of previous boats.
- In contrast, another of the founders of the game, Barney McCallum, went on a different tack. He claimed that it was named after the Pritchard's' dog, which was called Pickles and would always chase the ball down and run off with it during the very early games.
The Evolution of Pickleball
Pickleball left humble beginnings on Bainbridge Island to spread like wildfire among friends and families of its procreators. More and more people fell in love with the game, gradually letting it find its way out of the shores of that island.
This is the beginning of the formal development of the game into a sport-a first national tournament held in 1976.
In a very casual backyard game some years ago, pickleball has matured into a mainstream sport with standardized rules, national governing bodies, and international tournaments.
Pickleball's Popularity: A Sport for All Ages
The reason behind the rise of pickleball as a sport is derived from its characteristic easy to remember rules, and convenience for beginners to learn and enjoy compared to other sports that are played on court like badminton and tennis.
Pickleball's rapid pace and shorter game time considering how long does a pickleball game last make it an appealing option for folks who have busy schedules yet want to keep active and involved.
Pickleball's success stems in part from its social character. The smaller court size and doubles format promote connection and camaraderie among players, making it an excellent opportunity to meet new people and make friendships.
Pickleball has gained popularity in many communities as a fun and inclusive pastime that brings people of all ages and physical abilities together.
Where Is Pickleball Most Popular In The World?
While the pickleball origin country comes from the United States, it has been able to quickly spread and capture the interests of sports enthusiasts to other parts of the world.
The sport has gained a significant following by how many countries play pickleball and people show up in large numbers for their players in these countries such as:
- Canada
- Mexico
- Europe (Spain, France, Germany, United Kingdom)
- Asia (Japan, South Korea, China, India)
- Australia and New Zealand
Pickleball has been extraordinarily popular in regions around in the United States such as Florida, Arizona, California and Utah where weather conditions can be warm all year round and players can enjoy playing outdoors as much as possible.
Indeed, the game's popularity does not end there: communities around the country take up pickleball as a recreational and social exercise.
Pickleball Popularity By Country
Pickleball's popularity is non questionable looking at the trends in recent years.
The sport has been able to witness tremendous growth in several countries in a shorter time. The broadcasting rights are touching sky-roofs and this is seen as a promising opportunity for bigger multinational sports brands as a reliable marketing platform.
If we talk about the pickleball hype in the United States alone, it has increased by more than 650% over the span of the last six years; that is estimated to be 4.2 million players active in 2020. And the recent trends are stating that this sport is showing no signs of slowing down or getting irrelevant anytime soon.
Organizations like USAPA are playing a vital role in keeping the engagement and relevance of the game up throughout the year with the launching of new courts, associations and clubs.
In Canada, pickleball has become one of the fastest-growing sports, with a rapidly expanding network of clubs and tournaments. Europe has also embraced the sport, with countries like Spain, France, and Germany establishing national governing bodies and hosting international competitions.
The popularity of pickleball can be attributed to several factors, including its accessibility, social nature, and the fact that it can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.
As more people discover the joy and benefits of playing pickleball, the sport is poised to continue its global growth and cement its status as a mainstream recreational activity.
How Long Does A Pickleball Game Last?
One of the best aspects of pickleball is its relatively short game duration. On average, a pickleball game between two opponents lasts between 15 to 20 minutes, sometimes 25 minutes. This is not fixed, the game length can vary depending on some external variable factors such as the skill level of the players, the style of play, and the scoring format.
Tournament matches are played in a different fashion where the rule of best of three formats is applied, where each game holds 11 points in a set.
A complete tournament match can last anywhere from half an hour to one hour or more, depending on the intensity of the game and opponent’s caliber if they’re equally competitive.
Ready To Elevate Your Pickleball Game With Helios Pickleball
For players looking to take their pickleball game to the next level, Helios Pickleball offers a range of meticulously crafted paddles designed to enhance performance and elevate play.
We offer several pieces of equipment, be it from paddles, handle grip, paddle set, etc.
The Apollo, built with Toray Carbon Fiber, sports top-level surface grittiness and a pretty large sweet spot. Paddles like The Gaia and The Helios complete the power-control-feel equation, unlocking full expression on court.
For players who would like a paddle symbolizing strength and endurance, The Khione is a great choice. It is specifically reinforced with Fiberglass, so it really suits beginners very well because it has a lightweight design, which makes it easier to maneuver and learn strokes.
Its multi-layer design, along with its reactive honeycomb polymer core, provides great power and accuracy for entry-level pickleball players. The Athos paddle, made from Dupont Kevlar, offers a crisp snap on the hit for an exciting playstyle.
The Selene, however, is great for players who appreciate spin and control, offering a perfect combination to hone up the shot-making skills.
Helios Pickleball has a paddle to match every playing style or skill level, equipping every player to unlock their full potential. With membership to the Helios community, the ultimate pickleballing experience can be enjoyed with a paddle that is uniquely yours.
Conclusion
Pickleball has been the talk of the town and there’s no one denying the fact that it is inarguably becoming the sport everyone loves to play. As you read about the pickleball origin and historic events that led to this small game that used to be played in the backyard or farms, and now being at the global level and many countries actively participating is definitely a good sign for the nation's sports community and ecosystem.
The journey is a testament to its universal appeal and the power of innovation that despite being similar to tennis and badminton, pickleball was able to hold its grounds and came up like a phoenix and went on to become the widely accepted that is today.
In Helios, we are also on a similar mission to make people more aware and shed some light towards this sport. We are actively working in the field and promoting pickleball with our community where we offer premium paddles at a special discounts to students and affiliate partnerships.
And with Helios Pickleball by your side, you'll have the tools and support you need to succeed and become part of a passionate, global pickleball community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between pickleball and tennis?
There are a few differences between pickleball and tennis. The first is the court dimension, pickleball is played on a smaller court (20'x44') compared to tennis (78'x27' for singles). The second is the ball used in pickleball is a perforated plastic ball unlike tennis rubber ball.
Was pickleball invented in the US?
Yes, the game of pickleball was invented on Bainbridge Island, Washington, United States, in 1965 by a group of three friends namely Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. They invented pickleball solely to entertain their families during the summer holidays, using their own homemade equipment and a badminton court.
Why do people like pickleball over tennis?
One reason why people like pickleball over tennis is that it is easy to learn, not as physically demanding, and it is more social. A smaller court size also means the speed of the ball results in a more manageable rally by different skill levels. In addition, the quick pace and relatively shorter game duration make it especially convenient for people with busy schedules.
Is pickleball easier than badminton?
There is a similarity between pickleball and badminton. However, in comparison, pickleball is much easier to learn as well as play. Because of the larger paddles and slower speed of the ball in pickleball, beginners will not shatter easily, unlike what happens most of the time in playing badminton, due to the lightweight rackets and very fast shuttlecock.
Is pickleball losing popularity?
Quite the contrary! Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States and is gaining traction worldwide. It's the inclusive, accessible, and social appeal that makes this sport continue to grow and be successful. Pickleball participation in the US has grown over 650% in just the last six years, and it has millions of players across the world.
Who invented pickleball?
Pickleball was invented in 1965 by three friends: Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. They created the game on Bainbridge Island, Washington, as a way to entertain their families during the summer. Using handmade equipment and a modified badminton court, they laid the foundation for what would eventually become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.