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A little about Pickleball

Our Story

After many years of living in the Lake James area, I relocated to Austin Texas, until my retirement last year brought me back. I’ve been in hospitality my whole career, and now I’ve set out on my latest hospitable endeavor - one that hopes to bring Morganton, Lake James, and the surrounding communities together. I used to drive by the former restaurants that came and went in the building on the corner of Powerhouse road and NC-126. As I did, I brainstormed ways to repurpose the defunct tennis courts behind the building. Then I discovered the joys of the social sport Pickleball, and the answer became clear to me. It’s a sport that’s family-friendly and brings communities together. It’s also the fastest-growing sport in America and happens to be played on a court not too unlike that of a tennis match. After connecting with Bones Jones, the founder of the booming new restaurant “Bones Jones Burgers Butchery" on that very same corner, we got to work. We hope to bring the neighborhood together by combining the great food and service offered at Bones Jones with the fun and social exercise a good Pickleball game provides. Of course, during and after your game beverages are very much encouraged. Hope to see you there!

STAY OUT OF THE KITCHEN!

History of Pickleball

Pickleball is a paddle sport that has gained popularity in recent years, and it was invented in the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. Pritchard, a congressman, and Bell, a businessman, were trying to entertain their families during a lazy summer day, and they discovered an old badminton court. They wanted to play badminton, but they couldn't find a shuttlecock, so they improvised and used a perforated plastic ball instead.

As they played, they realized that the plastic ball bounced differently than a shuttlecock, and they decided to lower the net and create some new rules to adapt to the ball's characteristics. They added some elements from table tennis, such as the service rules, and from tennis, such as the scoring system, and they came up with a new game that they called "pickleball."

The name's origins are not entirely clear, but there are two main theories. One is that it comes from the term "pickle boat," which was the last boat to return with its catch of the day, and which was sometimes used in crew competitions. The other theory is that Pritchard's dog, Pickles, used to chase the ball and hide it in the bushes, and the players started to refer to the game as "Pickle's ball," which eventually became "pickleball."

Since then, pickleball has evolved into a sport that is played by millions of people in the United States, Canada, and other countries around the world. It is a fast-paced and exciting game that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It can be played indoors or outdoors, on a court that is similar in size to a badminton court, with a net that is slightly lower than a tennis net.

Pickleball is suitable for all ages and skill levels, from beginners to advanced players. It requires agility, strategy, and coordination, but it is also a social activity that can be enjoyed with friends and family. So, if you're looking for a new sport to try, why not pick up a paddle, hit the court, and see why pickleball is becoming one of the fastest-growing sports in the world!

For a complete history of the game click here

About Pickleball

A pickleball court is the same size as a doubles badminton court and measures 20×44 feet. In pickleball, the same court is used for both singles & doubles play. The height of the net is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle. The court is striped similar to a tennis court with right and left service courts with a 7-foot non-volley zone in front of the net (also known as the “kitchen”).

Pickleball Equipment

When playing pickleball, each player will need a pickleball paddle. It’s smaller than a tennis racquet but larger than a ping-pong paddle. Paddles were originally made only from wood, however today’s paddles are primarily made of lightweight composite materials,including aluminum and graphite. Players will also need a net and a pickleball. The plastic ball is very unique, with holes through it like a wiffleball. There are separate balls intended for indoor or outdoor play. The ball travels at 1/3 the speed of a tennis ball and is usually white or yellow in color, but more colors are gaining popularity. Shop for Equipment here Players can wear just about anything comfortable… athletic shorts, sweatpants, polo shirts, t-shirts, etc. Tennis-style dresses and skirts are also common for females. Comfortable tennis shoes are very important. Some accessories, players may wear include hats, visors, safety glasses, sweatbands and light jackets or sweatshirts for cold weather outdoor play.

The Basics

  • Pickleball is played either as doubles (two players per team) or singles; doubles is most common.
  • The same size playing area and rules are used for both singles and doubles.

    • The Serve


  • Must serve underhand from behind the baseline, cross court, into the service area past the kitchen. Only the serving team can score points.
  • After the serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce, then the serving team must let that return bounce before hitting.
  • After that, the ball my be volleyed (hit in the air) or off the bounce
  • A player cannot strike the ball in the kitchen unless the ball bounces in the kitchen first.

    • Serving Sequence


  • Both players on the serving doubles team have the opportunity to serve and score points until they commit a fault *(except for the first service sequence of each new game).
  • The first serve of each side-out is made from the right/even court.
  • If a point is scored, the server switches sides and the server initiates the next serve from the left/odd court.
  • As subsequent points are scored, the server continues switching back and forth until a fault is committed, and the first server loses the serve.
  • When the first server loses the serve the partner then serves from their correct side of the court (except for the first service sequence of the game*).
  • The second server continues serving until his team commits a fault and loses the serve to the opposing team.
  • Once the service goes to the opposition (at side out), the first serve is from the right/even court and both players on that team have the opportunity to serve and score points until their team commits two faults.
  • In singles the server serves from the right/even court when his or her score is even and from the left/odd when the score is odd.
  • *At the beginning of each new game only one partner on the serving team has the opportunity to serve before faulting, after which the service passes to the receiving team.



    Scoring


  • Game is played to 11, win by 2.
  • Each team member gets to serve until they lose the point, with one exception. The team that serves first onle gets 1 serve.
  • The score is a series of 3 numbers - serving team score, receiving team score, server #1 or #2. For example, 7-3-2 means serving team has 7 points, opposing team has 3 points and the second server is about to serve.

    • Two-Bounce Rule


  • When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce before returning, and then the serving team must let it bounce before returning, thus two bounces.
  • After the ball has bounced once in each team’s court, both teams may either volley the ball (hit the ball before it bounces) or play it off a bounce (ground stroke).
  • The two-bounce rule eliminates the serve and volley advantage and extends rallies.

    • Line Calls


  • A ball contacting any part of any line, except the non-volley zone line on a serve, is considered “in.”
  • A serve contacting the non-volley zone line is short and a fault.

    • Non-Volley Zone


  • The non-volley zone is the court area within 7 feet on both sides of the net.
  • Volleying is prohibited within the non-volley zone. This rule prevents players from executing smashes from a position within the zone.
  • It is a fault if, when volleying a ball, the player steps on the non-volley zone, including the line and/or when the player’s momentum causes them or anything they are wearing or carrying to touch the non-volley zone including the associated lines.
  • It is a fault if, after volleying, a player is carried by momentum into or touches the non-volley zone, even if the volleyed ball is declared dead before this happens.
  • A player may legally be in the non-volley zone any time other than when volleying a ball.
  • The non-volley zone is commonly referred to as “the kitchen.”

    • Faults


  • A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation.
  • A fault by the receiving team results in a point for the serving team.
  • A fault by the serving team results in the server’s loss of serve or side out.

    • Determining Serving Team


  • Any fair method can be used to determine which player or team has first choice of side, service, or receive. (Example: coin flip)


    • For the full rulebook visit here
    For Useful Tips visit here