Gopher Exclusive Product
PaddlePro Jr Pickleball Paddles
Our entry-level pickleball paddle.
Our entry-level paddle is designed to get young students playing the game. Durable 7-ply maple construction holds up to routine use and lasts for years. A 5" handle features a soft polyurethane grip for increased control and a wrist strap prevents flyaway paddles.
Paddle is 7”W x 15-1/2”H; 6 oz. Meets official pickleball regulations. Available individually and in a class set of 24.
Pickleball Game Rules and Variations
Pickleball Game Rules
1. Court Setup: The court dimensions should be 20 feet wide by 44 feet long for both singles and doubles play. Use the nets and floor tape provided to mark the boundaries, including the baseline, sidelines, and kitchen (non-volley zone). The kitchen is the 7-foot zone on both sides of the net where volleys are not allowed.
2. Teams: Games can be played as singles (1 vs 1) or doubles (2 vs 2). In doubles, teammates stand on opposite sides of the court. Each player uses a paddle, and games are typically played with the provided pickleballs.
3. Serving: The serve must be done underhand with the paddle contacting the ball below the waist. The server stands behind the baseline on the right side of the court and must hit the ball diagonally into the opponent's service box. The serve must clear the net and cannot land in the kitchen. In doubles, the server alternates between the left and right sides after each successful point. The server continues until a fault is made, then the serve passes to the next player.
4. Scoring: Only the serving team can score. A point is scored when the opposing team makes a fault, such as hitting the ball out of bounds, into the net, or allowing the ball to bounce twice on their side. Games are typically played to 11 points, and a team must win by 2 points.
5. Double Bounce Rule: After the serve, both the receiving team and serving team must let the ball bounce once before hitting it. Once the ball has bounced on both sides, volleys (hitting the ball before it bounces) are allowed, except when standing in the kitchen.
6. The Kitchen Rule: Players cannot volley the ball while standing in the kitchen (the non-volley zone), which is the area within 7 feet of the net. Players can enter the kitchen to hit a ball that has bounced but must exit before attempting a volley.
7. Faults: A fault occurs when a player:
– Hits the ball into the net
– Hits the ball out of bounds
– Fails to let the ball bounce on the first hit after a serve
– Volleys the ball while standing in the kitchen
– Lets the ball bounce twice on their side of the court.
8. Winning: The game ends when one team reaches 11 points, with a margin of at least 2 points. If the score is tied at 10-10, play continues until one team wins by 2 points.
Gameplay Variations:
1. King of the Court: Rotate players after each point, with the winning team staying on the court and the losing team rotating out.
2. Target Zones: Use floor tape to mark specific zones on the court. Players earn extra points for landing the ball in these zones.
3. Continuous Rally: Instead of playing for points, the objective is to keep the ball in play as long as possible. Each side works together to break their previous rally record.
4. Paddle-Switch Doubles: After each point, players must swap paddles with their partner, encouraging quick adaptation to different paddles.
5. Team Relay Pickleball: Split the class into teams. After each point, the player must rotate to the back of their team's line, allowing for constant movement and participation.