PICKLEBALL
PACKET # 5
INSTRUCTIONS
This Learning Packet has two parts: (1) text to read and (2) questions to answer.
The text describes a particular sport or physical activity, and relates its history,
rules, playing techniques, scoring, notes and news.
The Response Forms (questions and puzzles) check your understanding and
appreciation of the sport or physical activity.
HISTORY
Pickleball was created during the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island· - a short
ferry · ride from Seattle, WA. The original purpose of the game was to provide
a sport for the entire family, according to co-inventors U.S. Congressman Joel
Pritchard, William Bell, and Barney McCallum.
Pickles was the family dog that would chase after the errant balls and then hide
in the bushes, thus Pickle's ball which was later shortened to the namesake of
Pickleball. Initially, families played Pickleball in their backyards on a hard
surface, on driveways, and on residential dead end streets. Since the mid-I 970's,
Pickleball has grown and expanded from a family activity game to a paddle
court sport with formalized rules. Now, over 20 years later, Pickleball is played
in thousands of school P.E. programs, parks and recreation centers, correctional
facilities, camps, YMCAs and retirement communities. This sport is becoming
very popular among active senior adults at community centers.
BASIC OVERVIEW
When playing Pickleball the serve must be hit underhand and each team must
play their first shot off one bounce. After the ball has bounced once on each
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side then both teams can either volley the ball in the air or play it off the
bounce. This eliminates the serve and volley advantage and prolongs the
rallies. To volley a ball means to hit it in the air without first letting it bounce.
:
No volleying is permitted within the seven foot non-volley zone, preventing
players from executing smashes from a position within the seven foot zone on
both sides of the net. This promotes the drop volley or "dink" shot playing
strategies, as Pickleball is a game of shot placement and patience, not brute
power or strength.
. ·
SCORING
Both players on the serving team are allowed to serve,
and a team shall score points only when serving. A
game is played to eleven points and a team must win
by two points. Points are gained when the receiving
team hits the ball out of bounds, hits the net and does
not go over, steps into the non-volley zone and volleys
the ball, or by volleying the ball before the ball has
bounced once on each side of the net.
THE SERVE
Players must keep one foot behind the back line when serving. The serve is
made underhand. The paddle must pass below the waist. The serve is made
diagonally cross court and must clear the non-vo11ey zone. On1y one serve
attempt is allowed, except in the event of a let (the ball touches the net on the
serve, and lands on the proper service court). Then, the serve may be taken
over. At the start of each new game, the 1st serving team is allowed only one
fault before giving up the ball to the opponents. Thereafter both members of
each team will serve and fault before the ball is turned over to the opposing
team. When the receiving team wins the serve, the player in the right hand
court will always start play.
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FIRST BOUNCE RULE:
The first time each team hits the ball other than a serve, it must be hit after the
first bounce. There after the ball must be played with a volley or after one
bounce.
THE VOLLEY:
To volley a ball means to hit it in the air without first letting it bounce. All
volleying must be done with the player's feet behind the non-volley zone line.
Faults:
• Hitting the ball out of bounds
• Not clearing the net
• Stepping into the non-volley
zone and volleying the ball
• Ball bounces twice or more before returning it
over the net
THE COURT:
The court dimensions are identical to a doubles
badminton court. The court dimensions are 20' x
44' for both doubles and singles. The net is hung
36" on each end of the net and 34" in the middle.
A non-volley zone extends 7' on each side of the
net. There remains 15' on each side of the court.
On each side, these 20' x 15' rectangles are further
divided onto two equal rectangles measuring 10'
x 15'. When laying out the court, allow adequate
space at each end and sides of the court boundary
lines for player movement.
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STUDENT RESPONSE PACKET
PICKLEBALL
NAME _____________________________
DATE ______________________________
WHAT TO DO
The following questions will help you to have a greater appreciation and understanding of
Pickleball. Write your answers in the spaces below the questions. If there is not enough
room, write on the backs of these sheets. Be neat, spell correctly, and write incomplete
sentences.
1) Who invented pickleball and what is it named after?
2) What is the purpose of the first bounce rule?
3) What is the reason for the non-volley zone?
4) What are the four faults in pickleball?
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Name: ___________________ Date: __________
5) When the receiving team wins the serve, what happens?
6) How many ·points to win a match and what happens if there is a tie.
Directions: ·Write a paragraph about your likes and dislikes of the unit Pickleball.
Phantoms PE Dept
Pickleball Crossword Puzzle
10/31/14, 11:03 PM
Pickleball
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
10
7
9
11
12
13
Across
2
4
Hitting the ball high and deep in the opponents court
A serve that touches the top of the net and lands in the
proper service court (it is replayed without penalty)
6 The stroke when you are right handed and you hit the ball
on the right side of your body
8 The only time someone can score is when they are
________
11 When the serve does not clear the net
12 Hitting the ball back and forth between opposite teams
13 A hard serve-like hit to end the point
file:///Users/michaelsavana/Desktop/Pickleball%20Crossword%20Puzzle.webarchive
Down
1
Game is over when this # is scored or you win
by two
3
The stroke when you are right handed and you
hit the ball on the left side of your body
5
The number of bounces that need to occur
before each side can volley
7
Soft shot that just clears the net and drops into
the non-volley zone
9
To hit a ball in the air without first letting it
bounce
10 The way you serve
12 The server should start on which side of the
court
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