What are the differences between Pickleball and Paddle ball?

Both sports came into light in the 20th century.

While pickleball and paddle ball are both racquet sports with very similar names, they are fairly distinct in identity. Because people are increasingly looking for entertaining yet active pastimes which is why the participants are increasing in these sports but so many remain confused as to what each actually is.

The relative newcomer, pickleball, born in 1965, has mushroomed into a sport with more than 9 million players in the United States. It ranks as one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. Unlike that, paddle ball remains popular, especially in urban locations because courts are available for indoor play, since its birth in the 1930s.

While both use paddles and balls, their courts are laid out very differently in shape, configuration, and rules for play. Pickleball integrates aspects of tennis, badminton, and table tennis: played on a smaller court with a hole-perforated plastic ball, whereas paddleball has a more racquetball-oriented game against a wall with a small rubber ball.

The greater these sports grow and gain new followers, the more important it is to know and understand the specific characteristics. This article discusses more significant differences between pickleball and paddleball: their origin, equipment, rules, and the unique experiences they offer to people of all skill levels.

Differences between pickleball and paddle ball

Origins and Popularity

Pickleball was born in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington and has boomed over the past decade in popularity.

Paddle ball is older than the current game by more than half a century, the earliest forms of the game taking roots as far back as the 1930s. Paddleball was actually created by University of Michigan graduate Earl Riskey. With all its popularity in select pockets, paddleball hasn’t experienced that meteoric rise like pickleball has.

Court Layout, Dimensions

Pickleball: Envision a badminton court with a net that’s a foot or two shorter; that’s essentially a pickleball court. It’s a rectangle with dimensions of 20×44 feet. The net is 36 inches high on the sides and drops down to 34 inches in the middle. One unique aspect is the “kitchen” or non-volley zone-one side of the net, 7 feet from sideline to sideline, in which players cannot hit the ball out of the air.

The @the5spickleball beat DC in a hard fought dreambreaker! 🙌Catch more MLP action on @Pickleballtv & @MSGNetworks pic.twitter.com/PPbwqDY8NV

— Major League Pickleball (@MajorLeaguePB) October 27, 2024

Paddle ball: Paddle ball courts come in two flavours: one-wall and four-wall. The one-wall variety is generally outdoors and 20 feet wide and 34 feet long, with the single wall 16 feet high. The four-wall variety is almost always indoors and 20 feet wide by 40 feet long, with the front wall rising to 20 feet and the back wall to 12 feet.

#Paddle ¡TREMENDO! Así fue el golpazo que se dio Paquito Navarro en la semifinal del Masters de Portugal 👀😮 pic.twitter.com/G1Qub6BIw8

— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) September 22, 2018

Equipment

Pickleball: The paddle is an oversized table tennis racket, usually made of light composite materials. It should not be any longer than 17 inches or wider than 8.25 inches. The ball is plastic with holes in it (like a wiffle ball) and about 3 inches around.Paddle ball: Wooden or composite racquets; oval head filled with holes; long handle; usually 18 inches long. The ball is small and rubbery, like a racquetball. It is approximately 2.25 inches in diameter.

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Game and Regulations

Pickleball is a racquet game that combines tenets of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Players serve underhand diagonally across the court. Apart from this, there is a special “non-volley zone” known as the kitchen close to the net. It is usually played up to 11 points with only the serving team able to score.

Meanwhile, Paddle ball is the hitting of the ball into the front wall with it bouncing once before returning it to the opponent. The player might have the option of using the side and back walls into their strategy to hit the ball. Scoring varies between games, but they are played for 21 points.

Skill level and accessibility

Pickleball is one game that is easily accessible to every individual regardless of age or skill level. The movement of the ball is slower, and the court is smaller compared to the regular tennis court; hence it is easy for individuals to get started right away. The Sport and Fitness Industry Association report indicates that 17.7 percent of players are 65 years and older, making it popular with the elderly.

Paddle ball is also a sport without many constraints for any level of player, but more so from a physical standpoint, given the non-stop movement and quick reflexes involved. It’s a city sport that can be found in lots of indoor courts.

Professional Circuit

Pickleball also has a professional circuit with big prize checks for its elite players. The largest tournaments have purses to match; for instance, 2023 US Open Pickleball Championships had a purse of $150,000.

Paddle ball has a much smaller professional scene, with regional tournaments and leagues, but it does not have the structure and prize money this activity boasts nationwide.

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