Four Things You Didn't Know About Pickleball
With the recognition pickleball has been receiving lately, you may think it is a brand new sport — which is not the case. The sport of pickleball has been around for more than 50 years! Since its creation in 1965 by three fathers who were simply looking for a new way to entertain their children, the sport has grown in popularity, with more than 4.8 million people in the United States playing pickleball!
At Engage Sporting, we not only bring you the best pickleball paddles but also fun facts like these to inspire a new generation of pickleball players. Keep reading for more fun facts about pickleball, and then grab one of our pickleball paddles, and get out there to have some fun!
Pickleball Can Be Played Both Indoors & Outdoors
Don’t let the rain take away your fun! Like tennis, pickleball can be played indoors or outdoors. Indoor setups are typically modified tennis or badminton courts, while outdoor playing courts are modified tennis courts. The only difference in pickleball equipment for indoor versus outdoor use is the ball, which we will go over soon!
Stay out of the kitchen (Non Volley Zone)!
While you may be used to your mom telling you to stay out of the kitchen, pickleball has a different meaning for its “kitchen zone”. Properly known as the Non Volley Zone, the kitchen is referred to as the seven-foot area closest to the net on each size of the court. Some rules include:
- You cannot hit the ball out of the air (volley) while in the kitchen zone or touching the kitchen line.
- You cannot be in the kitchen after volleying from outside of the kitchen zone.
Regulation Pickleball Standards
Like all other sports, there are regulations on pickleball equipment, including the ball. A regulation pickleball must have between 26-40 holes. Outdoor balls have smaller holes, while indoor balls have fewer, but larger holes. The color does not matter.
The Evolution of the Pickleball Paddle
Initially, pickleball paddles were made mainly out of wood, but today lightweight materials like graphite and aluminum are being used in production. At Engage Sporting, our pickleball paddles use applied physics principles to give you the best pickleball paddles on the market! All of our material compositions are routinely tested on average every seven-10 days, ensuring optimal performance.
Whether you are just a beginner or an experienced pickleball player, we hope you learned some interesting facts about this sport we love so much. Continue to share the love of the game with your friends, family, and colleagues. And if you haven’t played, what are you waiting for? Shop Engage Sporting’s selection of pickleball paddles and get out there!
