The Peculiarities of Starting a Game in the World’s Fastest-Growing Sport
Have you ever found yourself standing on a pickleball court, paddle in hand, wondering, "Who on earth serves first in this game?" Well, you're not alone! Pickleball, a sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has its own unique set of rules, especially when it comes to serving.
First off, let’s address the elephant in the room: why is it called pickleball? No, it’s not because the ball resembles a pickled cucumber. The sport was actually named after Pickles, the dog of one of its co-founders, who loved to chase the ball around. Now that we've cleared that up, let's dive into the meat (or should we say 'pickle'?) of the matter.
The Flip of a Coin: The Starting Point
Just like many other sports, pickleball games often begin with a good old-fashioned coin toss. The winner of the toss gets to decide whether to serve first or choose which side of the court they want to start on. It’s a 50/50 chance, much like deciding whether to eat the last pickle in the jar!
Serving Up Some Fun
In pickleball, the serve is underhand, and the paddle must make contact with the ball below the waist level. It's a bit like serving in badminton but with less wrist-flicking and more hip action. The first serve of the game always starts from the right-hand side of the court. Remember, in pickleball, the right side is always right when you start!
Double the Trouble in Doubles
Playing doubles? Here’s where it gets a bit more interesting. The player on the right side (even court) always serves or receives the first serve. And yes, you guessed it, players switch sides after scoring a point. It’s like a dance, but with paddles and a plastic ball.
Keeping Score and Serving Right
A quick tip on scoring: the server's score will guide you on where to serve from. If it’s even, serve from the right. If it’s odd, serve from the left. Just think of it as a game of 'even or odd', except you’re wielding a paddle and not choosing numbers.
Wrapping it Up
So, there you have it, a quick guide on who serves first in pickleball. Remember, whether you're serving first or receiving, the most important thing is to have fun and maybe pretend the ball is an actual pickle once in a while.
And if you're looking to step up your pickleball game, why not check out swingstar pickleball? They’ve got all the gear you need to become a pickleball superstar or at least look like one!