Pickle ball

History The mini-tennis game called Pickle-Ball was created during the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island - a short ferry ride from Seattle, WA. The original purpose of the game was to provide a sport for the entire family, according to co-inventors U.S. Congressman Joel Pritchard, William Bell, and Barney McCallum. How did Pickle-Ball get it's name? Pickles was the family dog that would chase after the errant balls and then hide in the bushes, thus Pickle's ball which was later shortened to the namesake of Pickle-Ball. Initially, families played Pickle-Ball in their backyards on a hard surface, on driveways, and on residential dead-end streets. Since the mid-1970's, Pickle-Ball has grown and expanded from a family activity game to a paddle court sport with formalized rules. Now, over 20 years later, Pickle-Ball is played in thousands of school P.E. programs, parks and recreation centers, correctional facilities, camps, YMCA's and retirement communities.

Court Court Dimensions: The court dimensions are identical to a doubles badminton court. The court dimensions are 20' x 44' for both doubles and singles.    Net Height: The net is hung 36'' on each end of the court and 34'' in the middle.  Non-Volley Zone: A non-volley zone extends 7' on each side of the net.

Rules When playing Pickle-Ball the serve must be hit underhand and each team must play their first shot off the bounce. After the ball has bounced once on each side then both teams can either volley the ball in the air or play it off the bounce. This eliminates the serve and volley advantage and prolongs the rallies. To volley a ball means to hit it in the air without first letting it bounce. No volleying is permitted within the seven foot non-volley zone, preventing players from executing smashes from a position within the seven foot zone on both sides of the net. This promotes the drop volley or "dink" shot playing strategies, as Pickle-Ball is a game of shot placement and patience, not brute power or strength. Both players on the serving team are allowed to serve, and a team shall score points only when serving. A game is played to eleven points and a team must win by two points. Points are lost by hitting the ball out of bounds, hitting the net, stepping into the non-volley zone and volleying the ball, or by volleying the ball before the ball has bounced once on each side of the net.

The Serve Players must keep one foot behind the back line when serving. The serve is made underhand. The paddle must pass below the waist. The serve is made diagonally cross court and must clear the non-volley zone. Only one serve attempt is allowed, except in the event of a let (the ball touches the net on the serve, and lands on the proper service court). Then, the serve may be taken over. At the start of each new game, the 1st serving team is allowed only one fault before giving up the ball to the opponents. Thereafter both members of each team will serve and fault before the ball is turned over to the opposing team. When the receiving team wins the serve, the player in the right hand court will always start play.

Double Bounce Rule Each team must play their first shot off the bounce. That is, the first receiving team must let the served ball bounce, and the serving team must let the return of serve bounce before playing it. After the two bounces have occurred, the ball can be either volleyed or played off the bounce.  

Faults Hitting the ball out of bounds Not clearing the net Stepping into the non-volley zone and volleying the ball

Vocabulary Alley - extension of the court by 1-1/2 feet on both sides for doubles play Back Alley- Area between the back boundary line and the long service line for doubles. Backcourt- Back third of the court, in the area of the back boundary lines. Balk (Feint)- Any deceptive movement that disconcerts an opponent before or during the service. Baseline- Back boundary line at each end of the court, parallel to the net. Carry- An illegal tactic, also called a sling or a throw, in which the shuttle is caught and held on the racquet and then slung during the execution of a stroke. Center or Base Position- Location in the center of the court to which a singles player tries to return after each shot. Center Line- Line perpendicular to the net that separates the left and right service courts. Clear- A shot hit deep to the opponents back boundary line. The high clear is a defensive shot, while the flatter attacking clear is used offensively. Court- Area of play, as defined by the outer boundary lines. Drive- A fast and low shot that makes a horizontal flight over the net. Drop- A shot hit softly and with finesse to fall rapidly and close to the net on the opponent's side. Fault- A violation of the playing rules, either in serving, receiving, or during play. Feint (Balk)- Any deceptive movement that disconcerts an opponent before or during the service. Flick- A quick wrist and forearm rotation that surprises an opponent by changing an apparently soft shot into a faster passing one; used primarily on the serve and at the net. Forecourt- Front third of the court, between the net and the short service line. Hairpin Net Shot- Shot made from below and very close to the net with the shuttle rising, just clearing the net, and then dropping sharply down the other side. The shuttle's flight approximates the shape of a hairpin. Half-court Shot- A shot hit low and to midcourt, used effectively in doubles against the up-and-back formation. Kill- fast downward shot that cannot be returned; a "putaway". Let- A legitimate cessation of play to allow a rally to be replayed. Long Service Line- In singles, the back boundary line. In doubles a line 2-1/2 feet inside the back boundary line. The serve may not go past this line. Match- A series of games to determine a winner. Midcourt- The middle third of the court, halfway between the net and the back boundary line. Net Shot- Shot hit from the forecourt that just clears the net and then falls rapidly. Push Shot- Gentle shot played by pushing the shuttle with little wrist motion, usually from the net or midcourt to the opponent's midcourt. Racquet (Racket)- Instrument used by the player to hit the shuttlecock. Weight about 90 grams (3 oz). Length 680 mm (27 in). Made from metal alloys (steel/aluminum) or from ceramic, graphite or boron composites. Generally strung with synthetic strings or natural gut. Rally- Exchange of shots while the shuttle is in play. Serve (Service)- Stroke used to put the shuttlecock into play at the start of a rally. Service Court- Area into which the serve must be delivered. Different for singles and doubles play. Short Service Line- The line 6-1/2 feet from the net, which a serve must reach to be legal. Shuttlecock (Shuttle)- Official name for the object that the players must hit. Composed of 16 goose feathers attached to a cork base covered with leather. Synthetic shuttles are also used by some. Smash- Hard-hit overhead shot that forces the shuttle sharply downward. Badminton's primary attacking stroke. Wood Shot- Shot that results when the frame of the racket hits the base of the shuttle. Once illegal, this shot was ruled acceptable by the International Badminton Federation in 1963.

Worksheet List 5 serving rules. Explain what the Non-Volley Zone is? Explain the Double Bounce Rule? List 5 serving rules. Explain what the Non-Volley Zone is? What two sports are used in the game of Pickle ball? What is the net height in Pickle ball? A pickle ball game is played to how many points The server has a score of 7, which side of the court does he/she serve from ? Describe what a “let” serve is? List 5 faults used in Pickle ball The ball is coming towards your racket side of your body, what skill will you use to hit the ball? Draw and label a Pickle Ball court, include all lines, net and court dimensions. Define twenty of the thirty-three vocabulary terms.

Work Cited http://www.pickleball.com/History.asp http://www.pickleball.com/Court.asp http://www.pickleball.com/Rules.asp http://www.usapa.org/construction/court_dimensions.html http://www.umpi.maine.edu/cms/academics/physed/-20061116692/ http://homepages.wmich.edu/~k1davids/BadmintonNotebook.htm