Pickleball

Pickleball; tennis, badminton and table tennis elements, is a racket sport that can be played both indoors and outdoors.^【1】 It is played using a perforated plastic ball and smooth-surfaced rackets. Due to its inclusive design suitable for individuals of all ages, it appeals to a broad player base and directly impacts players’ psychosocial well-being, happiness levels and stress management. The game, played in both singles and doubles categories, is frequently chosen for recreational activities due to its lack of rigid rules and ease of learning.

^{Pickleball Court (}Tubed⁾

Matches are played on rectangular courts measuring the same dimensions as a standard badminton court: 13.41 meters in length and 6.10 meters in width. The net, positioned at the center of the court, is 91.44 centimeters high at the sidelines and 86.36 centimeters high at the center. Court is divided into two equal halves by a center line, with right and left service courts in each half.

Equipment consists of specialized rackets made of composite or wood materials with smooth surfaces and a perforated polymer ball (wiffle ball).

On both sides of the net, the area extending up to 2.13 meters from the net is designated as the “non-volley zone” or “kitchen.” Players must be completely outside this zone to execute a volley, which is a shot made before the ball bounces.

The game begins with a diagonal serve from the right service court. The serve must be struck below waist level and with an upward motion.

The most distinctive rule of the game is the “double bounce” rule. After the serve, the receiving team must allow the ball to bounce once before returning it. Subsequently, the serving team must also allow the ball to bounce once on their side before returning it. Only after this two-bounce sequence is completed may players strike the ball in the air (volley) or let it bounce.

Points can only be scored by the team serving. If the receiving team wins a rally, they do not earn a point but gain the right to serve. Matches are typically played to 11 points, and a team must win by at least a two-point margin.^【3】

National-level interuniversity competitions in Türkiye are organized according to specific guidelines. Full-time undergraduate, associate degree and graduate students from universities are eligible to participate.

Categories are classified as men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles. An university team typically consists of four female and four male athletes, excluding administrators and coaches.^【4】 An athlete may compete in a maximum of two different categories during a tournament. Technical meetings are held before competitions to verify athletes’ licenses. The competition system and schedule are determined by the technical committee based on the number of participants.

Pickleball functions not only as a competitive sport but also as a recreational tool that supports individuals’ psychological well-being. Regular participation enhances self-efficacy, reduces stress levels and increases overall happiness. As one of the newer sports, it enables students and adults of various age groups to productively use their leisure time, strengthening social bonds and ranking among the most preferred positive experiences.