Pickleball Fun Facts

It Was Invented by Accident

Pickleball was created in 1965 when a few families on Bainbridge Island, Washington, tried to keep their kids entertained. They improvised with a badminton court, a perforated plastic ball, and wooden paddles.

The Name Has Nothing to Do with Pickles

One common myth is that the sport is named after a dog named Pickles. In reality, it comes from the term "pickle boat," which refers to a crew made up of leftover rowers from different teams—just like pickleball is a mix of different sports.

It’s the Fastest-Growing Sport in the U.S.

Pickleball has seen an explosion in popularity, especially among younger players. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, participation has doubled in just a few years.

The Ball Doesn’t Bounce as Much as You’d Think

Unlike a tennis ball, a pickleball has much less bounce, meaning you have to react faster and stay low to the ground.

There’s a “Kitchen” on the Court

The “kitchen” is the non-volley zone near the net. Players cannot hit the ball in the air (volley) while standing inside this area, which makes for more strategic and controlled play.

Professional Pickleball Exists

There are pro pickleball tours, including the PPA (Professional Pickleball Association) and MLP (Major League Pickleball), where top players compete for big prize money.

It’s Easier on the Body Than Tennis

Because the court is smaller and the ball moves slower, pickleball is less physically demanding than tennis. This makes it popular among older players, but it’s also incredibly fast-paced at a high level.

There’s a 3rd Shot Strategy

Many advanced players rely on a “third shot drop,” a soft shot after the serve return that lands in the kitchen to prevent the opponents from smashing the ball.

Dinking is a Key Skill

Unlike in tennis, power isn’t everything. “Dinking” (gently tapping the ball just over the net) is a crucial strategy to control rallies and set up winning shots.

The Double Bounce Rule is Unique

Each team must let the ball bounce once before hitting a volley. This rule prevents players from charging the net immediately and makes for longer, more strategic points.

The “Kitchen” (Non-Volley Zone) Rules

The kitchen is a 7-foot zone on both sides of the net where you cannot volley (hit the ball in the air).

You can step in the kitchen after the ball bounces, but if any part of your body (or paddle, or even a hat) touches the kitchen while volleying, it’s a fault!

The Serve Must Be Underhand

Unlike tennis or badminton, you must serve underhand with an upward motion and make contact below your waist.

You Can Only Score on Your Serve

The receiving team can’t score points—only the serving team can. If they lose a rally, the serve just switches sides.

The Oddball Scoring System

Games are usually played to 11, 15, or 21 points, but you must win by at least two points.

The server has to call out a three-number score (e.g., “4-2-1”)—which confuses beginners! First number = serving team’s score - Second number = receiving team’s score - Third number = server number (1 or 2 in doubles)

“Erne” and “Bert” Shots

Erne: A player jumps or runs outside the court (past the sideline) to hit a shot near the net, avoiding the kitchen.

Bert: A more aggressive Erne, where the partner poaches the shot mid-air in front of their teammate.

Paddle-Slapping Etiquette

Instead of handshakes, many players tap their paddles after points as a form of sportsmanship.

Funny Pickleball Terms

Dink: A soft shot into the kitchen.

ATP: stands for "Around The Post." It refers to a shot where a player hits the ball around the net post, rather than over the net, to land it in the opponent's court.

Falafel: A weak shot that doesn’t go far.

Pickled: Losing a game without scoring a point (ouch!).

Pickledome: A nickname for a pickleball court or championship venue

So stop thinking about it and go out and play!