Pickleball is rising in appeal as a sport to play in Singapore. Not just a sport for the elderly, pickleball is also gaining popularity amongst younger ones and families. We tried pickleball in Singapore and were pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to pick up the sport and how suitable it is for those preferring a low-impact sport.
Pickleball in Singapore: Where to Play & Learn Pickleball
Pickleball is played using a paddle and a plastic ball with 40 holes. The sport combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis.
It is typically played doubles on a badminton-sized court with a smaller net than tennis.
Equipment-wise, it is easy to acquire a solid-faced paddle. Do note that the ball used should be appropriate for either indoor or outdoor flooring depending on where you intend to play.
Here’s a quick look at the rules for pickleball:
- The serve must be underhand and delivered to the opposite service side diagonally. Sounds like badminton, doesn’t it?
- After the serve, the teams must allow the ball to bounce once on their side before hitting the ball back.
- Volleying must also be done in the right area. There is a non-volley zone called kitchen which is the box closest to the net on either side. Players cannot volley the ball while standing in the kitchen unless it has bounced once.
- Scoring-wise, points can only be scored by the serving team. If the receiving team commits a fault such as hitting the ball out, double bouncing, or volleying in the kitchen, the serving team scores a point.
- The serving team loses a point if a fault is committed or when it fails to return the ball. Then service is over, the serve then switches to the receiving team. However, the players on the serving team do not switch sides unless they score a point.
- Games are played to 11 points, but the win is by 2 points. (11-9)
Additional rules to remember are that the net cannot be touched with either paddle or body, the ball stays within court boundaries and there are specific rules regarding foot faults and serve bounce.
Our Experience Playing Pickleball in Singapore
We were invited to a session by Play! Pickle as a family. As a family that already plays racket sports like tennis and badminton, we were drawn to pickleball as a family sport.
However, other than purchasing our paddles and balls, we were clueless about rules and techniques.
Play! Pickle was very helpful in teaching us, as beginners, the basics of the sport.
In my opinion, the learning curve was not as steep as tennis, and the game was also accessible to those who are less fit or recovering from sports injuries.
For those who play racket sports like badminton, tennis or table tennis, pickleball should be easy to pick up.
However, pickleball has its unique techniques and habits from other sports will need to be unlearnt when playing with paddles and a plastic ball.
For instance, the ball does not bounce as much as tennis or ping pong.
When volleying, it is more of a push-through motion rather than a hit.
Pickleball is also easy to learn for the children.
Since the emphasis is on fun and teamwork, the non-competitive spirit means it’s a sport that all can enjoy regardless of skill. Moreover, this low-impact sport is easier on the knees than the other racket sports; I would recommend it for intergenerational activities too.
Where to Play & Learn Pickleball in Singapore
Pickleball can be played both indoors and outdoors.
Courts can be found in public spaces such as at HDB outdoor badminton courts, ActiveSG venues, community clubs, selected schools and other private courts. Bookings in advance are required for certain courts.
Some of the courts are listed here.
Players can also join a pickleball community or interest group. These groups typically meet at a fixed time weekly for a game. More than just playing pickleball in Singapore, the community encourages interaction and socialisation outside the court.
To play pickleball well and improve your skills, joining a class may be a fun and needful option.
Fees and equipment are generally more accessible than other sports.
The plus point of joining classes is there is no need to search for a court as demand can be very high. Classes are catered to all ages, beginners and experienced players.
There are also private coaching options. The added benefit of receiving proper instruction is the possibility of competing in pickleball.
Learn a New Sport, Make Friends with Pickleball
If you would like to pick up a new sport, pickleball might be it!
Apart from the chance to exercise, this social game will encourage you to find fast friends who share an interest in the sport.
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