By now, chances are one of your friends or family members is all-in on pickleball. Despite being one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, pickleball continues to divide opinion. But no matter where you stand, there’s no denying that pickleball offers remarkable benefits for athletes of all ages and skill levels.
To help you learn what all the hype’s about, we’ve put together this guide with everything you need to know before deciding whether to jump into pickleball yourself. And when you’re ready, you can visit our Battery Park City campus to see if it's for you!
Play Pickleball at Asphalt Green
Benefits of Pickleball
1. Physical Fitness
Pickleball requires quick bursts of movement that test your agility and provides a highly effective cardiovascular workout that supports heart health, burns calories, and increases stamina.
2. Suitable for All Ages
One of the most appealing aspects of pickleball is its inclusivity. From children to seniors, simple rules and slower-paced gameplay allow more athletes to enjoy pickleball compared to tennis and other higher-impact sports.
Pickleball is particularly beneficial to older adults or athletes with joint issues, as it provides an effective workout and the opportunity to join competitive play without putting excessive strain on the body.
Finally, like tennis, pickleball can be easily adapted to suit different skill levels, catering to competitive and casual players.
3. Social Interaction
Since pickleball welcomes athletes from a wide range of skill levels, it's also become a great method of socializing with friends and family members. Pickleball can be played in teams of two, and large groups can join in on the fun together by rotating players.
In addition, pickleball is typically played in community centers, parks, and recreational clubs, making it a wonderful method of meeting new people and building community. In fact, Asphalt Green hosts open pickleball hours for our members at our Battery Park City campus.
Pickleball Rules
1. The Court and Equipment
- Pickleball is played on a court similar in size to a badminton court, with dimensions of 20x44 feet. The net is set at 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches at the center.
- Players use paddles slightly larger than table tennis paddles and a perforated plastic ball like a wiffle ball.
2. Serving
- Serves must be made underhand, with the paddle contacting the ball below the waist.
- The serve is made diagonally crosscourt and must land within the boundaries of the opposite diagonal court.
- The server continues to serve, alternating sides, until a fault is made.
3. Scoring
- Games are typically played to 11 points, and a team must win by at least 2 points.
- Only the serving team can score points.
- Points are scored when the opposing team commits a fault, such as hitting the ball out of bounds, failing to return the ball, or stepping into the non-volley zone (the "kitchen") and volleying the ball.
4. Gameplay
- After the serve, players must let the ball bounce once on each side before volleys (hitting the ball before it bounces) are allowed. This is known as the "double bounce" rule.
- The non-volley zone, or kitchen, is a 7-foot area on both sides of the net where players cannot volley the ball. This rule prevents players from dominating the net area and encourages longer rallies.
Give Pickleball a Shot at Asphalt Green!
Now that you’re well equipped to take the court, grab a friend (or a few) and try the game out for yourself! Stop by our Battery Park City campus or become a member to see how you can gain access to our pickleball court and other world-class facilities.