Pickle-Ball

WHAT IS PICKLE-BALL?
Pickle-Ball is a hybrid of Badminton, Tennis and Table-Tennis. It is a three in one game, played with wooden paddles and a perforated plastic ball in a normal Badminton court or on any hard surface such as driveways, parks, cul-de-sacs, playgrounds, tennis courts, and volleyball courts except that the net is lowered to 3 feet high.

BASIC RULES OF PICKLE-BALL

	It can be played in singles, doubles or mixed doubles.
	The scoring system is identical to badminton: only the side with the service can score points.
	Each match is decided over 3 games with each game played to 11 or 15 points.
	Deuce is set at 10 points in a 11 points game; 14 points in a 15 points game.
	In a rubber set, players change sides at 6 points in an 11 points game or 8 points in a 15 points game.
	All services must be below the waist.
	The receiving player must let the ball bounce once before returning the serve.
	The serving side has to let the return of the serve bounce once before returning the shot.
	The ball can be volleyed during rally only after the above two bounces.

Winning Pickle-Ball will be the result of putting the ball where you want, controlling the tempo of the game, and keeping the ball in play. Size and strength are not major factors in who will win the game, because strategy and tatics tend to be just as important in the final outcome.

Pickle-Ball is an ideal family sport as it is very easy to learn. Mixed doubles are great fun with father and daughter trying their skills against mother and son. Father versus daughter and mother versus son games will provide outstanding family entertainment and fitness.

The small court size (only 20ft. x 44ft.) provides for long rallies and a variety of play by players determined to win over their opponents. The fast volley exchanges increase the fun for players and spectators.

Pickle-Ball is played by 2 or 4 players on a court identical to a badminton doubles court in size. Easilylowering the net to 3 feet on the badminton doubles court will convert it to a Pickle-Ball court. Lightweightpaddles (slightly larger than a Ping-Pong Ball paddle) and a plastic perforated ball are the keys to producing long, exciting rallies consisting of volleys at the net and ground strikes similar to tennis. The game involves strategies that includes the lob, overhead, smash, passing shots by the opponent at the net and the fast volley exchanges.

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE GAME
The Pickle-Ball game was invented in 1965 in Seattle, Washington USA by Mr Joel Pritchard, the ex-congressman, and Mr Bill Bell, a successful businessman. The original purpose was to provide a game that the whole family might enjoy regardless of level of athletic ability and strength. However, it can also be and has been played competitively. Pickle-Ball has enjoyed widespread growth throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong and now in Singapore and Malaysia. There are some 75,000 people playing Pickle-Ball in United States alone and the number is increasing rapidly as it is an inexpensive and easy game to play. Although originally the game was meant for family to have an active, healthy and meaningful life, it is now also well accepted by the youth and all walks of life. It is a fun court game for all.

Pickleball Grading Rubric

A = 100%

Skills: Always in a ready position while ball is in play. Displays proficient use of all strokes.

Strategy & Rules: Demonstrates strategy (moves opponent) and follows the rules.

Attitude: Participates fully with all classmates, provides positive feedback to others.

A = 95%

Skills: In ready position most of the time. Tries to use a variety of strokes

Strategy & Rules: Attempts to move opponent around the court. Plays by the rules.

Attitude: Participates with all classmates, provides occasional positive feedback (no negative).

B = 85%

Skills: Ready position used more regularly. Uses only strokes that they have to.

Strategy & Rules: Just keeps ball in play. Plays by the rules.

Attitude: Average participation, mostly positive interactions with classmates.

C = 75%

Skills: Sporadically uses ready position. Uses only underhand and forehand strokes most of the time.

Strategy & Rules: Unable to consistently keep ball in play. Not sure of the rules.

Attitude: Interactions limited or lean toward being more negative.

D = 65%

Skills: Seldom use ready position. Rarely able to maintain a volley.

Strategy & Rules: Unable to demonstrate.

Attitude: Many negative interactions.

E = 0%

Skills: Does not attempt to improve.

Strategy & Rules: Unable to demonstrate.

Attitude: Mostly negative interactions with other students.