Are You in a Pickle? Pickleball Game That Is! Quiz

Answer: Football

Pickleball is a fast-paced racket and ball sport that is simple to play and simple to learn. Most games lasts 15 to 25 minutes. The pickleball court, net, equipment, and scoring all share qualities with badminton, tennis, and ping pong, but there is nothing like football in the game.

Answer: Invented in 1965

The game was invented in 1965 by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum in Bainbridge Island, Washington, to entertain their children. The game is now played by people from 6 to 64 or older. By 2019, the USA alone had over two million players with many more players worldwide.

Answer: For pickle boat, where oarsmen were chosen from leftovers of other crews

Like a runner caught in a pickle between two bases in baseball, pickleball players must quickly decide where to position themselves to return the ball, but one inventor said that pickleball was named after a pickle boat because the rules for the game came from several different other games just like a pickle boat where leftover oarsmen come from different crews.

The inventors did have a dog named Pickles, but he was named after the game was invented. There is no mention of balls being kept in a pickle jar.

Answer: A paddle similar to a ping pong paddle

The ball is hit with a paddle like a ping pong paddle but bigger. It cannot exceed 24 inches in width or 17 inches in length.

Answer: Round ball less than 3 inches with holes like Whiffle ball

At first, a Whiffle ball was used but that was improved to become a smooth plastic, hollow, round ball of 2.87 to 2.97 inches with 26 to 40 evenly spaced holes. When the ball hits the paddle, it makes a sharp sound that some spectators find annoying.

Answer: A court the same size as a badminton court

The court is 20 by 44 feet, which is the same size as a badminton court, but the net is lower like a tennis net.

Answer: 2 to 4

The game is played as singles with two players or as doubles with four players. The court is the same for singles or doubles.

Answer: Underhand with ball below waist

The ball must be served underhanded with both the paddle and the ball below the waist. It is served diagonally across the net into the second half of the court and must bounce once before it is returned. It cannot be tossed in the air. Only one attempt is allowed unless the ball touches the net and goes into the proper court, then a second attempt is allowed.

Answer: 11

Most players play to 11 points but must be 2 points ahead to win. Some tournaments play to 21 or 25. Players only score when serving.

Answer: Also called the non-volley line

The "Kitchen line" or non-volley zone is 7 feet by 20 feet on either side of the net. Player can only volley when the player's feet are behind the non-volley zone. This line keeps the players back from the net.