PickleBall fundamentals master the basics and compete with COnfidence

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PICKLEBALL
Fundamentals
USA Pickleball Association
With Mary Littlewood

Human Kinetics


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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Littlewood, Mary L.
  Pickleball fundamentals / Mary Littlewood.
       pages cm
  “USA Pickleball Association.”
1.  Pickleball (Game)--Handbooks, manuals, etc.  I. Title.
  GV990.L58 2015
  796.34--dc23
                                                            2014047773
ISBN: 978-1-4925-0413-9 (print)
Copyright © 2015 by USA Pickleball Association and Mary Littlewood
All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in any
form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including
xerography, photocopying, and recording, and in any information storage and retrieval system, is
forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

Notice: Permission to reproduce the following material is granted to instructors and agencies who
have purchased Pickleball Fundamentals: pp. 11, 141. The reproduction of other parts of this book
is expressly forbidden by the above copyright notice. Persons or agencies who have not purchased
Pickleball Fundamentals may not reproduce any material. The USAPA does not mean to imply endorsement to any of the brands or equipment shown or mentioned throughout the book.
The web addresses cited in this text were current as of January 2015, unless otherwise noted.
Acquisitions Editor: Tom Heine
Managing Editor: Nicole Moore
Copyeditor: Jan Feeney
Senior Graphic Designer: Keri Evans
Cover Designer: Keith Blomberg
Photograph (cover): Neil Bernstein
Photographs (interior): Neil Bernstein unless otherwise noted; Terry Guerrant for figures Intro 4,
1.4, 2.3a, 3.3, 4.3, 5.1, 5.6b, 8.1, and 8.3.
Visual Production Assistant: Joyce Brumfield
Photo Production Manager: Jason Allen
Art Manager: Kelly Hendren
Associate Art Manager: Alan L. Wilborn
Illustrations: © Human Kinetics
Printer: Versa Press
Printed in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The paper in this book is certified under a sustainable forestry program
Human Kinetics
Website: www.HumanKinetics.com
United States: Human Kinetics
P.O. Box 5076
Champaign, IL 61825-5076
800-747-4457

e-mail:

Australia: Human Kinetics
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08 8372 0999
e-mail:

Canada: Human Kinetics
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Europe: Human Kinetics
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Leeds LS28 6AT, United Kingdom
+44 (0) 113 255 5665
e-mail:

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Contents
Acknowledgments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
Key to Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xv

Chapter 1 Warming Up and Stretching . . . . . 1
Chapter 2 Ready Position, Grips,
and Ball Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Chapter 3 Forehand and Backhand
Groundstrokes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Chapter 4 Serve and Return . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Chapter 5 Volley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Chapter 6 Dink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Chapter 7 Lob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Chapter 8 Overhead Smash . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Chapter 9 Drop Shot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Chapter 10 Shot Selection
and the Mental Game . . . . . . . . 125
Chapter 11 Strategies for Doubles
and Singles Play . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
About the USAPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
About the Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

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Acknowledgments
T

hank you to the Ahwatukee Recreation Center Pickleball Club,
who provided the courts for the photos; Sandra Stultz, who assisted the author with numerous tasks in the writing of this book;
and Jim Hackenberg, who served as a technical advisor to the author.
Thanks also to the following players who devoted their time and
energy to be the models for the photos in this book: Jaimi Foster,
Rena Han, Gigi LeMaster, Patrick Leonard, Ron Robinson, David
Zapatka, and Dianne Zimmerman.

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Introduction
I

f you are not already involved in the sport of pickleball, you’re
probably wondering what it is. It is an easy-to-learn game that can
be played either indoors or outdoors on a badminton-size court. A
seamless perforated plastic ball the approximate size of a baseball,
such as a Wiffle ball, is hit with a solid, smooth paddle either after
one bounce or in the air. The object of the game is to hit the ball over
the net, which is approximately 3 feet high, to the opponent in such a
way that it cannot be returned successfully. While singles and doubles
are both played, doubles is currently more popular.
Because of its popularity, this book focuses more heavily on pickleball doubles play than singles play. Similarly, instructions and photos
are based on play by right-handed players; the assumption is that
left-handed players will reverse the instructions.
Pickleball, enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels, is soaring
in popularity. Courts are springing up in backyards and public parks
regularly, and the game is now being taught in many schools. This
book provides you with information about the skills and strategies of
pickleball so that you, too, can enjoy this exciting game.

History
The game was created in 1965 by Joel Pritchard, congressman from
the state of Washington, and Bill Bell, a successful businessman, at
Pritchard’s home on Bainbridge Island as a means of entertaining

their respective families—in particular their kids—during a family
barbecue. An old outdoor badminton court on the property provided
a place to play. Family members used Ping-Pong paddles to volley a
plastic ball (unearthed during a search through rusty implements
and gardening tools on the property) over an improvised net that was
60 inches high. The players soon discovered that the ball bounced
nicely on the asphalt, so they lowered the net to 36 inches. Barney
McCallum was introduced to the game the following weekend while
visiting the Pritchards. Pritchard, Bell, and McCallum created simple
rules, staying true to the original goal of creating a game that the
whole family could play together. The game the three devised proved
to be so much fun for all of the family members that it soon became

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a regular weekend activity at the Pritchards’.
Accounts of how the name pickleball originated vary. A July 16, 2013, article in the
Wall Street Journal says this: “The name
comes not from the family dog, Pickles, as
popularly related. According to a newspaper
column by Pritchard’s wife, Joan, it was so
heavily based on other games it remindThe first pickleball court on the
ed her of the pickle boat in crew, ‘where
Pritchard’s property.

oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers of
other boats.’” Popular belief as related over
the years is that the game was named after
the dog, Pickles, who chased after the ball.
Others claim both accounts may actually be
true. Regardless of where it came from, the
name pickleball has endured.
The game gradually caught on, and the
first known pickleball tournament in the
world was held in the spring of 1976 at
the South Center Athletic Club in Tukwila,
The first wood paddle used.
Washington. Many of the participants were
collegiate tennis players who knew very little
about pickleball. In fact, they practiced with large wood paddles and a
baseball-size Wiffle ball.
As more people played the game, liked it, and wanted to continue
playing, the need for consistent rules, established tournament formats,
and equipment standards became more important. Consequently, the
USA Pickleball Association was organized in 1984 and published the
first rule book in March of that year. The USAPA continues to serve as
the national governing body of the sport. Detailed information about all
aspects of pickleball is available on their website, www.usapa.org. The
International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) was formed for the purpose
of standardizing pickleball competition and rules worldwide and produced its first rulebook in 2010. The USAPA now recognizes the IFP’s
Official Tournament Rulebook as the official reference for competition
throughout the world.
Pickleball was included for the first time in the 2003 Huntsman World
Senior Games in St. George, Utah. The games, whose mission is to foster
global peace, health and friendship, originated in 1987 and is the largest

annual multisport event in the world for athletes aged 50 and older.
The visibility of pickleball on that stage spurred a rise in the popularity
of the sport worldwide. According to the USAPA, by February, 2015,
pickleball was being played in all 50 states at more than 3,000 sites.
It is now quite possibly among the fastest-growing sports in the world.

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Court
A pickleball court is 44 feet long and 20 feet wide (13.4 by 6.1 m), the
same size as a doubles badminton court. To put this into perspective,
a tennis court is 78 feet long and, for doubles, 36 feet wide. Two to
four pickleball courts would fit on one tennis court.
A line going from sideline to sideline on a pickleball court, 7 feet
(2.1 m) from the net, designates an area called the non-volley zone,
commonly referred to by players as the kitchen. The non-volley zone
line is considered part of the non-volley zone, so all rules that pertain to the non-volley zone apply to the line. Therefore, a served ball
landing on the non-volley zone line is a fault. Each service court is
15 feet long and 10 feet wide (4.6 by 3 m). The net is 36 inches high
(91 cm) over the sidelines and 34 inches high (86 cm) in the center
of the court.

36 in.
Sideline

Non-volley
zone

34 in.

Base

line

Center line

20 ft
10 ft

15 ft

7 ft

44 ft

Diagram of a pickleball court.
E6414/USAPA/int.03/506982/alw/r3

Equipment
Very little equipment is needed for a game of pickleball. Durable paddles are available in a variety of materials. There are several brands
of balls acceptable for competition. Some are more durable than
others. Standards for apparel and shoes are more lax in pickleball
than in tennis. An overview of each category of equipment follows.

Introduction ix

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Paddles
While years ago the only choice of a pickleball paddle would have
been wood, now there are many choices. Wood paddles still exist and
are sold; however, most players prefer to use a lighter-weight paddle
made of newer materials such as composite, graphite, aluminum,
fiberglass, or vinyl. Paddles made of newer materials range in weight
from 6 to 12 ounces (170-340 g).
Paddles also have various grip materials and range in size from
4 to 4.5 inches. As a new player, you should use a paddle that is
light enough for you to swing without putting undue stress on your
elbow and one with a grip that is the right size for your hand. Most
pickleball clubs have demonstration paddles that you can use briefly
if you’re a new player so that you can make an intelligent choice. If
that opportunity doesn’t exist, some online retail companies allow a
trial period of up to 30 days before you commit to the sale.

Balls
A pickleball ball is made of durable plastic material molded with a
smooth surface that is free of texture. It is 2.75 to 3 inches (7-7.6
cm) in diameter and weighs between 0.8 and 1.02 ounces (22.7-29 g).
The spacing of the holes and overall design of the ball must conform
to the straight-flight characteristics required for play. Some balls are
specified as being better for indoor play. Most brands of balls come
in various colors as well as arrangements and sizes of holes and are
available through online pickleball stores. The preferred brand of
ball is determined by the tournament director or club.

Modern pickleball paddles and balls.

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Clothing and Shoes
Rules are flexible on clothing for pickleball. Any clothing that permits free movement is acceptable as long as it is not distracting in
any way and is in good taste. Shoes must have soles that do not
mark or damage the playing surface. Tennis shoes with a smooth
sole are thought to be safer on a pickleball court than running or
other types of shoes that have deep ridges on the soles.

Scoring and Action
The first team or player to score 11 points wins the game. That team
or player must be at least 2 points ahead of the opponent. Either
the player serving or the referee (if there is a referee) announces the
score. A match consists of the best two out of three games. Before
the match, a coin flip, a twirl of the paddle, or some other objective
means determines which team or player will serve first and on which
side of the net each team will begin the match. Teams switch sides
at the end of the first game and, if the match should go to three
games, when one team reaches 6 points. Upon agreement by both
teams or players, or if decreed by the tournament director, a match
can consist of only one 15-point or one 21-point game. While an
official match consists of the best two out of three games in which

each game goes to 11 points, it is sometimes advantageous to play
shorter matches.

Doubles Scoring
In a doubles match, the player positioned behind the right service court
of the team serving to begin a game will serve the ball. That player will
continue serving from behind alternate service courts until her team
commits a fault (such as a ball hit into the net). The serve will then go
to the opposing team, and the player behind their right service court
serves first. If her team scores a point, she serves from behind the left
service court, and that process continues until her team commits a
fault. At that time, her partner serves from behind whichever service
court she is positioned based on previous rallies. From then until the
end of the game, both partners have the opportunity to serve.
The score consists of three numbers: the server’s score, the serve
receive team’s score, and whether it’s the first or second server. The
score, which should be announced before the serve to begin each game,
is 0-0-2. The serving team’s score is 0, the serve receive team’s score
Introduction xi


Serving team
Receiving team
Server

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Rally
Server (circled) Winner Results

Rally #

Score

1

0-0-2

B
A

2

1-0-2

A
B

3

2-0-2

B
A

4

0-2-1

5

0-2-2

6

1-2-2

7

2-1-1

B
A

8

3-1-1

A
B

9

3-1-2

A
B

A
B

C
D
C

D
B

A
B

A

D
C

A and B

Point

Sideout
C and D (Serve goes

C
D

A and B

Second
server

C
D

C and D

Point

D
C

A and B

Sideout

A and B

Point

C and D

Second
server

A and B

Point

D

C
D

C

Point

to opponents)

C
D

A and B

E6414/USAPA/int.05/508833/alw/r3
Doubles
scoring chart.

is 0, and the second server is serving. After the serving team loses the
rally, the serve goes to the opponents. From then until the end of the
game, both partners have the opportunity to serve. The third number
in the score will always be either 1 or 2. While it may seem confusing
at first, after you’ve played a few times it will become automatic.

Singles Scoring
In a singles match, the score consists of only two numbers. The
score at the start is 0-0. The player serving first serves from behind

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his right service court. If the server wins the rally, the score is 1-0.
The serving player’s score is always given first. He then serves from
behind his left service court. If that player continues to win rallies,
he continues serving from behind alternate service courts. If he loses
the rally, the serve goes to his opponent, who serves from behind
the court that is determined by his score. When a player’s score is
even, he serves from behind the right service court; when his score
is odd, he serves from behind the left service court.

Etiquette
Many of the rules of etiquette and sportsmanship for pickleball are
common to all sports. Most important is to remember your objective
in playing the game. While it is widely written that playing should be
fun, you know that it’s more fun if you play up to your capabilities.
Doing your best is all that should be expected of you. Being able to
accept graciously a loss as well as a win is the true gauge of good
sporting behavior.
■■
■■

■■
■■

■■

■■

Be on time for matches.
If you are playing on a court that requires you to walk through
another court, be sure that their play is stopped before you
enter their court.
Agree with your opponents about the warm-up procedure you’ll
follow before a match.
Many matches will involve players calling their own line faults.
Make all calls on your side of the net fairly, giving your opponents the benefit of the doubt on close calls.
The ball should be clearly out before it is called as out. All balls
not called as out are assumed to be in. If partners disagree about
whether the ball is in or out, it is in, and the rally should go to
the opponents.
The player closest to the action, not the one across the court,
should make the line call. Remember that one line call, whether
good or bad, does not win or lose a game.

A Word About the Book’s Structure
This book contains information, instructions, photos, and illustrations that will help you immerse yourself in the sport of pickleball.
Introduction xiii


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The bulk of the information is in four sections:
You can do it: Get a clear explanation of how to perform an essential skill or tactic.
■■ More to choose and use: Find out more and explore alternatives.
■■ Take it to the court: Apply the new skill in a hands-on situation.
■■ Give it a go: Use a drill or activity to hone or expand the fundamental techniques outlined in the chapter.

■■

The key on the following page explains the player designations in
the illustrations.
Apply the techniques and tactics as you learn them, and have fun!

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Key to Diagrams
D
DS
DV
HV
F
L
OS
P
PA
PB
PC
PD
R1
R2
S1
S2

Sh
SP

T
V
WP

Player executing a dink
Player executing a drop shot
Player executing a drop volley
Player executing a half volley
Feeder
Player executing a lob
Player executing an overhead smash
Any player
Player A in a doubles match or drill
Player B in a doubles match or drill
Player C in a doubles match or drill
Player D in a doubles match or drill
Receiver
Receiver’s partner
Server
Server’s partner
Player shagging balls
Stronger player on a doubles team
Target
Player executing a volley
Weaker player on a doubles team
Balls
Path of player

Initial path of ball
Secondary path of ball
Path of ball
Bounce (small solid circle)
Ball hopper

E6414/USAPA/KEY/alw/r3

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1

chapter  

Warming Up
and Stretching
B

efore you participate in any sport or activity that is more strenuous
than is normal in everyday life, you need to spend a few minutes

warming up your “engine” and stretching your muscles and tendons.
Pickleball is no exception. Warming up and stretching before playing
pickleball and cooling down afterward will not only help to prevent
soreness of muscles—a phenomenon that traditionally occurs the
day after exertion—but will also help to prevent injuries. If, like many
busy teens and adults, you do not participate in regular exercise,
you may find that your muscles, joints, and connective tissues are
less pliable and require more conditioning. This makes taking care
of your body before and after pickleball even more important.

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You can do it

Warming Up
The warm-up increases circulation of the blood, which in turn carries
oxygen to the cells efficiently. It also raises overall body temperature
as well as the temperature of the deep muscles. That raised temperature allows for greater flexibility of the affected muscles and
tendons, which means that they can be stretched farther without
causing any trauma to the tissues. For this reason, always warm
up before you stretch.
Warm-up activities can be of a general nature, such as walking at
a quick pace or jogging, biking from home to the pickleball courts,
walking on a treadmill, riding a stationary bike, or a combination
of these activities. Or the warm-up activities can be more specific
to the sport. Any exercise involving the upper body (particularly the
arms and shoulders) as well as the lower body would be specific to
pickleball. For instance, circling the arms from the shoulders as

you walk or jog and riding a stationary bike with moving handlebars
would be good warm-up exercises specific to pickleball. Be sure to
warm up long enough to break a sweat or at least feel your heart
pumping harder than normal. As soon as possible after your 15- to
20-minute warm-up, start your stretching routine.

More to choose and use
Stretching
Starting with the ankles and working your way up the body, follow
the same pattern of stretching every time. Developing a regular routine ensures that every part of the body is included.
Following are some considerations for stretching:
Place the muscle group on stretch—a point where you feel the
stretch as something beyond what you normally feel. Hold the
stretch for 10 seconds and then relax. Complete the stretch
and relax cycle three times before moving on to the next muscle
group.
■■ Do not overstretch the muscle group. “No pain, no gain” does
not apply to stretching!
■■ Do not bob up and down as you stretch. One continuous stretching motion is safer and more effective.
■■

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Foot and Ankle Stretch
Sit with the legs straight out in front of you. With either one foot at a

time or both feet together, point your toes by extending your foot at
the ankle (plantar flexion). Hold that position for 10 seconds (figure
1.1a). Then relax the joint. Do the stretch a total of three times. Then
pull your toes back, flexing your ankle toward the body (dorsiflexion).
You should feel a pull on the Achilles tendon. Hold this position for
10 seconds (1.1b). Relax. Do the stretch a total of three times.

a

b
1.1

Foot and ankle stretch.

Warming Up and Stretching

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Calf and Achilles
Tendon Stretch
Stand three to four feet
(about a meter) from a
wall. Extend your arms
forward while supporting
yourself against the wall.
Extend one leg backward
and bend the other to

help you balance. Keeping
the heel of the extended
leg on the ground, lean
as far forward as possible (figure 1.2). Hold this
position for 10 seconds.
Relax. Do a total of three
times. Switch legs and
repeat the process.

Quadriceps Stretch

1.2

Calf muscle and Achilles tendon
stretch.

1.3

Quadriceps stretch.

The quadriceps is the
large muscle group at the
front of the thigh. Stand
three to four feet (about
a meter) from a wall. Using one hand for support
against the wall, grasp
the ankle behind you with
the other hand; bend that
knee and pull the ankle
toward the buttocks. Hold

this position for 10 seconds (figure 1.3). Relax.
Do a total of three times.
Switch legs and repeat the
process.

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Hamstring Stretch
The hamstrings are the
large muscle group in
the back of the upper leg
attached by tendons to
bones in the lower leg.
Stand with legs straight.
Reach down to touch your
toes without bending your
knees. If you can’t go all
the way, go as far as you
can. Hold the position for
10 seconds (figure 1.4).
Relax. Do a total of three
times.

1.4

Hamstring stretch.

Groin Stretch
Sit and place the soles of the feet together (figure 1.5a). With the elbows inside the knees, grasp the ankles and gently press the elbows
downward, pushing the knees toward the ground (1.5b). Hold this
position for 10 seconds. Relax. Do a total of three times.

a
1.5

b
Groin stretch.

Warming Up and Stretching

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Lower-Back Stretch
Stand with your feet a comfortable distance apart. Bend forward from
the waist. With your knees slightly bent, reach toward the ground with
your arms. You should feel a stretch in your lower back. Hold this
position for 10 seconds (figure 1.6). Relax. Do a total of three times.

1.6

Lower-back stretch.

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Arm and Shoulder Stretch
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Raise your arms sideward
to a position slightly above shoulder height with the palms up. Slowly
pull the straight arms as far back as possible. Hold this position for
10 seconds (figure 1.7). Relax. Do a total of three times.

1.7

Arm and shoulder stretch.

Warming Up and Stretching

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Arm Circle
This exercise is another good way to loosen the arms and shoulders.
Extend your arms to the side with the palms facing down (figure
1.8). Circle the arms 8 to 10 times forward and then 8 to 10 times
backward.

1.8

Arm circle stretch.

While most of the body positions and movements required for
playing a game of pickleball are predictable, some movements require a body part to stretch farther than is comfortable. You need
to warm up and stretch before beginning a game and prepare your
body to handle any movements that you might face in a heated rally.
The most common of these movements is reaching forward with the
paddle arm while taking a forward lunging step with that leg. This
type of movement is often used as a player attempts to reach a ball
that drops just over the net. Stretching out the hamstrings and the
Achilles tendons well before the game will enable you to perform
this action safely.
Certain body builds are more susceptible than others to muscle strains and tears, particularly in the hamstrings. Players with
well-defined calf muscles are much more likely than those with long,

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