Pickle Ball

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Pickleball The Woodlands

Pickle Ball Popularity

Based on badminton rules, the game is played on what looks like a miniature tennis court. Pickleball received its first national exposure in a 1975 article about "America's newest racquet sport. The popularity of pickleball is enjoying explosive growth across North America and worldwide adoption as several new international clubs are forming with national governing bodies established in Canada and India. 

As the popularity grew, a corporation was formed to protect the creation of Pickleball as a sport in 1972. The USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) was organized in 1984 to promote the growth and development of pickleball, on both a national and international level providing players with official rules, tournaments, rankings and promotional materials. Pickleball is a fast growing sport with over 2.5 million players and a projected 8 million by 2018. It’s a great paddle-ball sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. With pickleball popping up in South Montgomery County; The Walden Racquet Club on Lake Conroe, April Sound Tennis Club and the C.K. Ray Recreation Center in Conroe, it was only a matter of time before it showed up in The Woodlands. Vicki Champion, a long-time tennis player is currently organizing Pickleball matches at the Shadow Bend Tennis park on Thursday nights from 6:00 pm.- 8:30 pm (2017). Her goal is to move from recreational play to more competitive groups and with help from the Lake Conroe Pickleball Friends and Certified Pickleball Teaching Pro (IPTPA) Ernie Ortiz, this could become a reality pretty quickly.

According to Ernie Ortiz, also a USAPA Ambassador, pickleball is fun for all ages and skill levels and within 15 minutes you could be playing the game, even if you have never played a paddle or racquet sport before. Ortiz says, “Many families are playing this game and are having a great time! The sport is easy on the body, allowing young and old to play together”. Having played in cities and clubs across the United States, Ortiz has seen great players in their 70’s and 80’s. If you are interested in clinics or private lessons, contact Ernie Ortiz at 813-766-7728 or [email protected]. If you are interested in more information about the drop-in play on Thursday nights, contact the Woodlands Township Rec Center Pickleball at the Recreation Center on your lunch break to play! Open times are reserved for you! Bring some friends or co-workers and meet some new players. Ages: 18 and up Fee: $3 per drop in Fridays between 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Basketball Mondays between 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (2017)

Smaller than a Tennis Court

At a glance, the pickleball court with a few exceptions, resembles the layout of a singles-tennis court. In total, tennis courts measure 78 ft. x 27 ft. or 2,106 sq. ft., with the height of the net at 36" in the center. The pickleball court measures 44 ft. x 20 ft. or 880 sq. ft., with the height of the net being slightly lower at 34" in the center. Both courts have 3 play areas but the layout of those areas are opposite from each other. Pickleball has two service areas and a non-volley zone (closest to the net) while the tennis court has two 'courts' adjacent to the net with a single service area in the back area.

Pickleball Scoring Basics

  • Points are scored only by the serving team.
  • Games are normally played to 11 points, win by 2.
  • Tournament games may be to 15 or 21, win by 2.
  • When the serving team’s score is even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) the player who was the first server in the game for that team will be in the right-side court when serving or receiving; when odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) that player will be in the left-side court when serving or receiving.

For more Details on PickleBall Rules

Read 9649 times Last modified on Sunday, 23 October 2022 12:39
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