From the MYOPL release archive
What is pickleball?
Pickleball is a paddle sport played as singles or doubles on a 20-by-44-foot court. Its compact court, doubles format, recurring open-play culture, and approachable entry point make it especially suited to organized social play.
The basic shape of the sport
- Singles uses two players; doubles uses four.
- The same court dimensions apply to singles and doubles.
- The serve begins the rally and must land in the correct diagonal service court.
- The non-volley zone changes how players approach play near the net.
- The applicable governing rulebook controls detailed rules and exceptions.
Why open play is central
Many pickleball communities use recurring open play rather than requiring a permanent partner or season roster. Players rotate through games, meet a wider group, and can participate at a frequency that fits their lives.
That accessibility still benefits from clear venue information, attendance signals, rotation guidance, and a shared communication channel.
Start with current sources
Participation descriptions and growth rankings change over time. This preserved release now directs readers to current governing-body rules and MYOPL’s current product guide rather than presenting an old annual statistic as permanent.