Many people are confused by these two sports: Paddleball vs Pickleball. If you are one of them, you have reached the right place. In today's blog, I've created a comprehensive guide explaining the difference between Paddleball vs Pickleball. Let's unravel those differences together through this blog. Dive into the blog to know more.
What Is Paddleball?
Paddleball is a racket sport played on a court half the size of a tennis court. However, there are various types of tennis courts. The paddle is made of wood or graphite and has holes to reduce air friction. The game is played in singles and doubles.
History of the Paddleball
In the 1960s, a Mexican businessman, Enrique Corcuera, invented the Padel. He named the sport Paddle Corcuera and constructed a court at his holiday house in Acapulco. The model that served for the sport was a rather increasingly popular game at the time known as platform tennis that had come to life in the 1910s. Padel has gained popularity in the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Japan, and the Philippines.
What Is Pickleball?
Pickleball is a racket sport played with a soft-faced paddle to hit a perforated ball. The origin of the ball itself is a fascinating story. The rackets and the balls are different compared to other racket sports, which makes them different from the other racket sports. The game was invented in 1965 as a children's backyard game in the United States on Bainbridge Island in Washington state, and in the year 2022, the game was named the state's official sport. However, the game is a team sport played inside and outside, both in singles and doubles.
History of the Pickleball
One Saturday afternoon in 1965, Pritchard and Bell returned home and found that their families were bored as they had played a round of golf. They tried to set up badminton, but no one could see the shuttlecock. Bell and Pritchard encouraged their children to make their games. Upon arrival at the badminton court, the adults and children began experimenting with different rackets and balls, including table tennis paddles, which is how pickleball came into existence.
Equipment and Court Dimensions of Paddleball vs Pickleball
The paddleball court is 20 feet wide and 50 feet long, with a wall that is 16 feet in height, whereas the size of the pickleball court is similar to that of the badminton court, which is 13.4 by 6.1 metres. Both have a net in common at the centre of the court, and the net stands at 34 inches at its lowest points on both courts and 36 inches high at the sidelines.
The padel court is covered by glass on the back, and the sides have a mix of wire mesh and glass. On the other hand, the pickleball court is open to a court which has no coverings. However, both can be played both indoors and on outdoor courts.
When talking of the equipment, the paddleball, the racket is as short as 18 inches and no wider than 9.5 inches. The ball is made of rubber and is the size of a softball. The air holes in the ball enable less friction when it travels. However, the paddleball is both yellow and light green.
In the context of pickleball, the ball must be made of durable moulded material with a smooth surface and evenly spaced circular holes from 26 to 40. Its weight must be between 22.1 and 26.5 g, and its diameter between 2.87 and 2.97 inches.
Paddleball vs Pickleball Rules
Even when we talk about the rules of paddleball vs pickleball, there are certain differences to be noted. The following are the rules of pickleball and paddleball.
In the paddleball game, the server hits the ball underarm from the proper service court directly to the opponent's court, whereas in the pickleball, the rally starts with an underhand serve.
In paddleball, the server the ball bounces once before hitting it, but in pickleball, the ball must bounce once on each side before you volley.
In terms of the scoring system, pickleball has a unique scoring system which is different from that of the serving system of the paddleball.
In pickleball, both the players on the serving team stand at the baseline, but in paddle tennis, the serving player's partner stands closer to the net.
Pickleball is slower than paddleball and is considered easier to pick up and play, whereas the pace of the paddleball is different.
Frequently Asked Questions about Paddleball vs Pickleball
Which Is Easier to Learn, Pickleball or Paddleball?
Both pickleball and paddleball are easier to learn and depend on the players' capacity. However, pickleball can be easy for some players as the ball's speed is slow, and the larger court may make it slightly easier for newcomers.
Can I Use the Same Paddle for Both the Pickleball and the Paddleball?
No, each game has a specific paddle designed for its ball and style of play. Using other equipment for a different game may not be good for your performance.
Which Game Is More Exhausting, Paddleball or Pickleball?
Paddleball can be more intense due to its faster pace, whereas pickleball offers moderate physical activity.
Both Paddleball and Pickleball are interesting sports that provide an accessible experience for beginners and players of all ages. However, choosing between the two depends on your personal preferences, playing style, and fitness goals.
Turf Town is a platform to discover the best playing grounds near you. You can also join a group of people who share your interest in the game. The app is available for both Android and iOS users.
Thank you!
