Six Important Facts About Pickleball: USA Pickleball

TeamSnap covers all things youth sports, so it’s only right to tap into one of the most growing sports in North America, pickleball. If you are reading this you may have no idea what pickleball is, you could be a fan or even a player. No matter if you are an expert, just starting out playing the sport, or would like to learn some facts that are both fun and will give you bragging rights, you’ve come to the correct place.

Before we jump into the fun facts, let’s begin by learning a little bit about the sport.

What is pickleball?

According to USA Pickleball, the sport combines…

• Elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong
• Pickleball is played both indoors or outdoors
• It’s played on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis net
• The equipment includes a paddle and a plastic ball with holes
• You compete as doubles or singles.
• All ages and skill levels can play it

Now that we know the basics of what the sport is, where it is played and who plays it, let’s dive into the fun facts.

No.1: Pickleball was invented by three dads

You read that right, three dads are responsible for the sport. USA Pickleball explains the sports’ origin story as beginning in 1965 during a short ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. The sport has since evolved from handmade equipment and simple rules to a sport popular throughout North America, but also European and Asian countries. The dads started playing the sport with ping-pong paddles and a plastic ball. The three men created rules to the game, taking a lot of inspiration from badminton. The purpose of this game was one that the entire family can play together.

No.2: The sport gained publicity in 1975

Nothing quite like a National Observer article to take the sport to new heights. After the three men came up with the sport it eventually became secure through the creation of a court for it but also a corporation to protect it. In 1975, the National Observer published a story in Tennis Magazine titled: “America’s newest racquet sport.”

No.3: Funny Pickleball terms to know

• Flapjack: A shot that has to bounce before it is hit
• Kitchen: Non-volley zone
• Pickle: A player shouts it when they are about to serve
• Pickledome: Where the pickleball championship game is held
• Pickler: Pickleball addict

No.4: The pickleball is a different kind of ball

Since the sport is a blend of badminton, tennis and ping-pong, it’s only right the ball that is used to play the sport is a combination too. The sport is played with a ball that has holes in it, similar to a wiffle ball. Since the ball is quite light, it’s known to travel about 1/3 the speed of a tennis ball.

No.5: You don’t lose in pickleball

You’re probably thinking, how can it be a sport if you can’t lose? Well, it’s not that you lost in pickleball, it’s you’ve pickled. Since pickleball players are called “Picklers” they didn’t lose the game, they pickled.

No.6: Growth at the international level

In order to continue to grow as a sport, in 2010, United States of America Pickleball Association (USAPA) established the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) organization.

With the growing popularity of the sport, TeamSnap would love to know what pickleball teams and leagues you’re playing in?