What is a piccolo?
Pickleball is played on a court similar in size to a badminton court, but with lower networkreminiscent of a tennis net. Players use flat surface hips (also called rockets or "paddles") and perforated plastic ball.
Can be played as Singles (1 vs 1)both pairs (2 vs 2). Ideal for playing with friends, family or even completely new people you will meet on the court.
What distinguishes pickleball from other sports?
Although it looks like tennis, pickleball has some unique rules:
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After the serve, the ball must bounce once on each side.
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Volleys (beats without thumping) are prohibited in the area near the net called "kitchen".
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The game is slower than tennis but requires quick reactions, tactics and coordination.
Where does the pickleball come from?
Pickleball was created in 1965 on Bainbridge Island in Washington State, USA, by three friends - Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCollum. They were looking for a fun way to entertain their children, using whatever they had on hand: a net, a ball with holes and wooden sticks.
The first court was built in the Pritchard family backyard in 1967 and the first tournament was held in 1976 at the South Athletic Club in Tukwila.
Where does the name "pickleball" come from?
There are two funny stories about the origin of the name:
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"Pickle boat" - Joel Pritchard's wife, Joanne, says the name comes from "a boat of picked oars" - a mixture of different things, like the game itself.
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Pickles the dog - According to Barney McCollum, the name was inspired by the Pritchard family's dog, who often chased the ball and "stole" the game.
Both versions exist and contribute to the colorful history of the sport.
Pickleball becomes a professional sport
Pickleball entered the professional level in 2019 г. with the formation of two large tours:
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APP (Association of Pickleball Professionals) - officially sanctioned by USA Pickleball. It organizes 16 tournaments a year and features top players such as Salome Devidze, Hunter Johnson and Simone Jardine.
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PPA (Professional Pickleball Association) - Independent tour with 25 major tournaments a year, exclusive to elite players such as Anna Lee Walters and Ben Jones.
Via 2021 г. is created and Major League Pickleball (MLP) - team league featuring names like LeBron James, Naomi Osaka and Tom Brady as investors.
Why is pickleball so popular?
It's simple:
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Easy to learn
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Fun and accessible
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Social and active
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Suitable for every age and level
You can play it anywhere - indoors, outdoors, with friends or with complete strangers. And just 30 minutes of play can burn over 300 calories!
🎾 Pickleball isn't just a game - it's an experience. And if you haven't tried it yet - now is the perfect time!
