eVERYTHING About Pickleball

Link to Welcome Information - Welcome Packet 

Link to Information and how to register - Novice Lessons - Introduction Novice Lessons 

(More helpful links about membership, the club and play are at the bottom of this page)

Pickleball is a paddle sport played by all ages and skill levels. Rules are simple and the game is easy to learn for beginners. As players gain experience the game can evolve into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game that offers great exercise. Players enjoy the social aspect, have fun and stay active. 

The sport is a combination of badminton, tennis and ping-pong. It’s played on a badminton-sized court, which is divided into halves by a tennis style net. Players use a paddle that resembles an over-sized ping-pong paddle and a hard plastic ball with holes in it. The only apparel requirement is court shoes. Players generally wear comfortable clothing like t-shirts, athletic shorts, sweats, etc. 

How to play pickleball – a brief explanation

Basic Play

• Pickleball is played either as doubles (two players per team) or singles; doubles is most common.

• Like other racket sports each side takes turns serving the ball.

• The serve must be made underhand diagonally crosscourt similar to tennis.

• Each player on the serving doubles team gets a turn to serve, when their side holds the service. 

Service and Points

• Only the serving team can score points.

• First server serves until his/her team commits a fault, such as hitting the ball out of bounds or into the net, at which point the second player gets the serve.

• Second server continues serving until his/her team commits a second fault.

• After two faults, the serve passes to the opposing team, which holds the serve until it commits two faults.

• Play continues back and forth until one team counts 11 points and has at least two more points then the opponents.

Detailed rules are presented on the USA Pickleball Association (UASPA) website at:  Official IFP Rules

Brief History

Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, WA. One weekend, three dads--Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum--whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities are credited for creating game. Pickleball has evolved from original handmade equipment and simple rules into popular sport with sanctioned national and international rules played throughout the US, Canada and other countries. 

The name is rather unique and has been traced back to two potential origins. One is said to come from Joel Pritchard’s wife who is said to have called the game pickleball because the combination of different sports reminded her of a pickle boat where oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers of other boats. The second explanation comes is from Barney McCallum, who claimed the game was officially named after the Prichards’ dog, Pickles, who would chase the ball and run off with it. Others claim both accounts may actually be true as in the early years no official name was assigned to the game. (Source: USAPA Website) 

The Language of Pickleball Link -  The Language of Pickleball! 

"The Basics, shots, and rules" - The Basics, Rules & Shots 

Where do I play? -   Court Signage - Where do I play? 

Week at a Glance Open and Organized play  Week at a Glance Open & Organized Play 

Membership Information -  Membership & Dues 

How do I reserve a court - Court/Ball Reservation Information 

Questions - send us an email questions@ssvpickleball.com or contact a board member at this link -  Board Members