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Pickleball first timer Gary Blockus, left, learns the game from Tim Butz.

The very first thing I (Gary Blockus) learned about pickleball was to shake hands with my pickleball paddle and keep my wrist pointed in a neutral position. That neutral position – wrist not bent in either direction – dictates both finesse and power.

Pickleball is on pace to be the fastest-growing sport in America for the fourth straight year once the numbers are tallied, and it’s being played by more than 35.5 million Americans.

The St. Luke's SportsPlex is home to Pickleball Lehigh Valley, with 25 indoor pickleball courts and 22 outdoor pickleball courts, offering lessons, beginners leagues, advanced play leagues, open play, and was home to the 2024 United Pickleball Association PA State Championships. The 75,000 square foot indoor facility even has an event room and a pub! The focus is on fun, competition, and connecting with others in one of the largest pickleball facilities on the East Coast.

Tim Butz, a retired veteran of 40 years working at Kraft, is an avid pickleball player and coach, and was the perfect person to give a first-timer a lesson. From serving, to volleying, to learning how to dink, he was always enthusiastic and encouraging.

Pickleball is meant as a 2-on-2 sport, so playing 1-on-1 and learning the scoring system – not two serving three like in tennis would be called out as 2-3-1 – the last number being which of the partners is serving was a bit confusing at times. So if it’s three serving two and the second partner is serving, it is called out 3-2-2. And you only score points on your team’s serve.

Forget about the technical part, though. It’s outright fun. From serving, to volleying, even to losing, it’s active, engaging and a fun workout.

Butz says it’s even more than that.

“Pickleball, to me, is the competitive part,” he said, “but there are a lot of people who play just for fun. It’s 50% social. I’ve made so many friends playing pickleball. I worked at Kraft for 40 years and didn’t have nearly the friends there that I do from pickleball.”

You could clearly see the camaraderie with friendly waves and exchanges from people walking past to the adjacent courts.

I left the court with a sense of accomplishment and a newfound love for this quirky, delightful game. If you haven't tried pickleball yet, I highly recommend it. Who knows? You might just find your new favorite pastime.

Basic Pickleball Rules

Pickleball is a fast-growing sport combining elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong, played on a court similar in size to a badminton court. It can be enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels. Here’s a breakdown of the essential rules…

Pickleball is played with a paddle and a perforated plastic ball, similar to a wiffle ball. The court measures 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, divided by a net. The “kitchen” or non-volley zone is a 7-foot area on both sides of the net, where players cannot hit the ball unless it bounces first.

The game begins with an underhand serve made diagonally to the opponent’s service court. The server must strike the ball below the waist without letting it bounce first. Only one serve attempt is allowed, except in the case of a let (when the ball hits the net but lands in the correct court). Points are scored only by the serving team. Games are typically played to 11 points, and a team must win by at least two points.

The ball must bounce once on each side before players can volley it (hit it out of the air). This is called the “double bounce rule.” Afterward, players can volley or let the ball bounce, except in the non-volley zone. Faults include hitting the ball out of bounds, not clearing the net, stepping into the kitchen to volley or violating the double bounce rule.

Pickleball’s straightforward rules make it easy to learn, while its dynamic gameplay keeps it exciting. Whether you’re playing casually or competitively, understanding these basics will ensure a fun match!