Pickleball is surging in popularity—and not just among casual players. Created in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, the sport combines elements from tennis, badminton and table tennis into a unique format played with a paddle and a perforated plastic ball. Its appeal lies in accessibility: the courts are smaller than tennis, the equipment inexpensive, and the game adaptable to a wide range of ages and fitness levels.
The rules and scoring of pickleball reflect both simplicity and strategy. Players serve underhand, the serve must land diagonally, and there is a distinctive “non-volley zone” (often called the “kitchen”) seven feet from the net where volleying is restricted. The standard game is played to 11 points (win by two) when following usual competitive formats—only the serving side can score a point. These design elements speed up rallies, promote varied play (dinks, drives, volleys) and reduce the physical demands compared to larger-court sports.
From an E-E-A-T perspective—Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness—the growth of pickleball is well documented. Its experience is confirmed by players of all ages taking it up; the expertise comes from formalisation of rules by governing bodies like USA Pickleball (2025 rulebook). Authoritativeness is evident in peer-reviewed research examining service advantages and scoring dynamics. And trustworthiness comes from consistent, transparent regulation and widespread community adoption. For those looking to try a new sport, train clients or simply engage in a modern-paced game, pickleball checks the boxes — fun, inclusive and grounded in strong structure.
