Pickleball 101

Why
Pickleball?

The fastest-growing sport in the country, explained. Where it came from, why it's good for you, and what you actually need to get on the court.

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The Origin Story

How a Backyard Game Took Over

In the summer of 1965, three dads on Bainbridge Island, Washington (Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum) came home to bored families and a mismatched pile of sports equipment. They tried to set up badminton, but nobody could find the shuttlecock. So they lowered the net, grabbed a perforated ball, and started swinging ping-pong paddles instead. It turned out to be more fun than anything they'd planned. By the end of the weekend, they'd written the rules for a brand new game.

Even the name is a bit of a mystery. Some say it's named after a family dog named Pickles, others trace it to a rowing term called "pickle boat." Nobody knows for sure, and honestly, that's part of the charm.

1965
Invented on Bainbridge Island

Three dads write the original rules on a badminton court with a lowered net and a perforated ball.

1984
USA Pickleball Is Founded

The sport gets its first governing body and its first official rulebook, opening the door to national growth.

Today
The Fastest-Growing Sport in America

Millions of new players pick up a paddle every year, from backyard courts to professional tours.

Why It Works

The Benefits of Pickleball

Pickleball is more than just a sport. It's a pathway to personal growth, physical wellness, and meaningful connection.

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Physical Benefits
  • Builds real cardiovascular endurance, most sessions keep you in a moderate-to-vigorous heart rate zone
  • Builds strength, balance, agility, and coordination
  • Enhances mobility and flexibility while staying lower-impact than many other sports
  • Encourages an active lifestyle that supports long-term health
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Mental Benefits
  • Boosts confidence as you develop new skills and see real progress
  • Teaches discipline, consistency, and commitment
  • Sharpens focus, strategy, and decision-making under pressure
  • Reduces stress and supports mental well-being, research links regular play to measurably lower rates of anxiety and low mood
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Personal Growth
  • Pushes you outside your comfort zone
  • Builds resilience by teaching you to handle challenges, setbacks, and competition
  • Creates space for continuous learning and self-improvement
  • Reinforces a growth mindset: effort and persistence lead to real results
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Community & Connection
  • Builds friendships and a strong sense of belonging
  • Connects people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels
  • Encourages teamwork, sportsmanship, and mutual support
  • Creates a welcoming environment where people motivate each other
Getting Ready

What You Actually Need to Show Up

Nothing complicated, nothing expensive. Here's what matters before your first game.

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Court Shoes

Non-marking tennis or court shoes with lateral support. Running shoes aren't built for the side-to-side movement and can lead to rolled ankles.

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Comfortable, Breathable Layers

Athletic wear that moves with you. Moisture-wicking fabric helps on longer sessions, especially outdoors in Atlanta heat.

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A Paddle

Beginners can borrow one at our events or clinics, no need to buy anything up front. Once you're hooked, a mid-weight composite paddle is a solid first purchase.

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The Extras

Sunscreen and a hat for outdoor courts, a water bottle, and a spare shirt. This game will make you sweat more than you expect.

The Basics

How the Game Is Played

You don't need to know all of this before your first time on the court, we'll walk you through it live. But here's the shape of the game.

The Serve
Underhand, Diagonal, Behind the Baseline
Serves are hit underhand and must land diagonally in the opponent's service court. Simple motion, low learning curve.
The Kitchen
No Volleys Near the Net
The "non-volley zone" is a 7-foot strip on each side of the net. You can stand in it, but you can't hit the ball out of the air while standing inside it.
The Two-Bounce Rule
Everyone Gets a Bounce First
After the serve, the ball must bounce once on each side before anyone can volley it (hit it out of the air). It keeps rallies going and levels the playing field early.
Good to Know
Traditionally played to 11 points, win by 2
Only the serving team can score, so keeping the serve matters
Most casual play is doubles, faster and more social than singles
The court is about a third the size of a tennis court, easy to fill and easy to cover
No experience needed to have fun in your first session
You Know Enough to Start.

The rest you'll pick up on the court. Come play in a low-pressure setting, or jump into a clinic if you want to fast-track the fundamentals.

Upcoming Socials

Want more structured coaching? Check out our clinics.