Granby Tennis & Pickleball Courts now has two new Pickleball courts that are available to play on. Since they are brand new to the club you may be able to just walk-on, or you can go to yourcourts.com to reserve a court time up to two weeks in advance. The PICKLEBALL COURTS and tennis courts are available to all Granby Tennis Club members.
WHAT IS PICKLEBALL AND HOW DO YOU PLAY it?
Pickleball is a fast-growing paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It is played on a badminton-sized court (20′ x 44′) with a net that is slightly lower than a tennis net, using solid paddles and a perforated plastic ball similar to a wiffle ball. USA Pickleball +2
How to Play
The game is typically played as doubles (two vs. two), though singles is also an option.
- The Serve: Every point begins with an underhand serve hit from behind the baseline. The server must hit the ball below the waist with an upward motion, aiming diagonally into the opponent’s service box.
- The Two-Bounce Rule: This is a unique and critical rule: after the serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce once before returning it. Then, the serving team must also let the return bounce once before hitting it back. After these two initial bounces, players may either volley the ball (hit it out of the air) or play it off a bounce.
- The Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone): There is a 7-foot zone on both sides of the net called “the kitchen”. Players are not allowed to volley while standing inside this zone or touching the kitchen line. You can only enter the kitchen if the ball has already bounced there.
- Scoring: Only the serving team can score points. Points are awarded when the opposing team commits a “fault,” such as hitting the ball out of bounds, into the net, or failing to return a bounce.
- Winning the Game: Games are typically played to 11 points, and a team must win by at least two points.
Essential Equipment
To get started, you will need:
- Pickleball Paddle: A solid, rigid paddle smaller than a tennis racket but larger than a ping-pong paddle. Popular brands available at retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods include Selkirk and Joola.
- Pickleball Ball: A lightweight plastic ball with 26–40 circular holes.
- Appropriate Footwear: Court shoes with non-marking soles are recommended to provide stability and prevent slipping.