What is pickleball?
Pickleball Fundamentals
Experience the global racket sport phenomenon right here in Cumbria at Xcourt, your premier indoor destination for all things pickleball.
Seamlessly blending the fast-paced excitement of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, pickleball is an incredibly fun, high-energy sport played on a compact court with solid paddles and a unique perforated plastic ball.
Perfect for all ages and skill levels, the game is famously easy to learn but offers a brilliant tactical challenge, thanks to its underhand serves and the strategic, non-volley “kitchen” zone that rewards clever placement over raw power.
Whether you are looking for a casual weekend rally with friends or sharp, competitive singles and doubles matchups, Xcourt provides the ultimate indoor environment and a vibrant community to elevate your game.
History of Pickleball
Pickleball’s incredible journey began back in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, when three inventive dads, Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum, set out to entertain their bored children during the summer holidays.
Cobbling together old ping-pong paddles, a perforated plastic wiffle ball, and a lowered badminton net, they inadvertently created a brand-new global phenomenon. Today, that backyard invention has evolved into one of the world’s fastest-growing racket sports.
Court and equipment
Step onto the indoor pickleball courts at XCourt and experience a game designed for perfect balance and fast-paced strategy. Every court is precision-marked to official standards, measuring 13.4 meters long by 6.1 meters wide, similar to a doubles badminton court.
The net stands at an regulation height of 91.4 centimeters at the sidelines and tapers to 86.4 centimeters in the center, sitting slightly lower than a traditional tennis net to encourage low, aggressive rallies.
Crucially, each side features the famous 7-foot non-volley zone, affectionately known as “the kitchen.” Mastering this zone is the ultimate pickleball strategy, as players must let the ball bounce before striking it inside this area, trading raw power for intense tactical precision.
Pickleball paddles are larger than table tennis paddles but more compact than tennis rackets, crafted from ultra-lightweight composite materials like graphite and fiberglass to ensure lightning-fast reaction times. Paired with a specialized perforated plastic ball that delivers a controlled, strategic pace, this unique setup makes pickleball accessible for beginners of all ages while remaining fiercely challenging for seasoned competitors. Book your court at XCourt today and test your skills.
PICKLEBALL RULES OF PLAY
- Service Rules
- You must serve underhand in Pickleball.
- The ball must be hit at or below waist level.
- You only get one attempt to make the serve correctly, so accuracy is crucial.
- Scoring System
- Only the serving side can score points.
- If you’re receiving and win the rally, you don’t earn a point; you earn the right to serve.
- Scoring focuses on maintaining your serve to edge ahead in the game.
- Gameplay Dynamics
- Specific rules about volleys and the no volley zone, often called the ‘kitchen,’ are crucial.
- You must avoid volleying in the kitchen, a seven-foot area adjacent to the net.
- This rule promotes longer, more strategic rallies and prevents net domination.
- Volleys and the Non-Volley Zone
- The kitchen rules require strategic play and timing for defensive and offensive manoeuvres. Understanding the non-volley zone and when you can enter it is essential.
