This fun sport combines many elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Pickleball can be played both indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis net with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. Team up with a partner for doubles, or play one-on-one singles.
Pickleball 201 Workshop
You know the rules, scoring, and how to play. Now learn how to up your skill and strategy levels.
Pickleball Intro Tuesday May 10th
Pickleball 201 Tuesday May 17th
7 to 8:30 pm
Location: Fairbanks South
$10 members/$25 non members
Coach: Maurice
Pickleball Overhead Shot Workshop
Learn how to put the ball away from an overhead position - footwork, arm swing and body positions will be discussed so you can get the most out of yours!
Monday, May 23rd
5:30 to 7:00 pm
Location: The Alaska Club Eagle River
$10 members/$25 non members
Coach: Rob Lutz
Register For Pickleball Overhead Shot Workshop
Mondays
South Club: 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Eagle River: 11:00am - 1:00pm /9:00am- 1:00pm (1 Court) Juneau Valley: 11:00am - 1:00pm
Tuesdays
South Club: 6:00am - 8:30am
Eagle River: 9:00am - 12:00pm Fairbanks South: 5:30pm - 8:00pm Wasilla: 8:00am - 1:00pm
Wednesdays
East Club: 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Eagle River: 11:00am - 1:00pm/9am-1pm (1 Court) Juneau Valley: 11:00am - 1:00pm
Wasilla: 8:00am - 10:00am
Thursdays
South Club: 6:00am - 8:30am
Eagle River: 9:00am - 12:00pm Fairbanks South: 5:30pm - 8:00pm Wasilla: 8:00am - 1:00pm
Fridays
South Club: 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Eagle River: 3:00pm - 5:30pm Juneau Valley: 11:00am - 1:00pm Fairbanks South: 10:00am - 1:00pm
Wasilla: 8:00am - 10:00am
Saturdays
East Club: 8:05am-11:00am
South Club: 8:05am-11:00am Juneau Valley: 3:00pm - 5:00pm (Tennis Court #1)
Sundays
East Club: 8:05am-11:00am
South Club: 8:05am-11:00am Fairbanks South: 10:00am - 1:00pm
Pickleball Directors
Janet Warner
Executive Director of Fitness Services
(907) 330-0115
jwarner@thealaskaclub.com
According to USAPA.org, there are over 15,000 indoor and outdoor courts in the United States; and at least one location in all 50 states. Pickleball is being introduced to kids in teenagers in physical education classes in middle and high schools. And though the sport has become more competitive through the years, many players enjoy the social aspects of the game and the ability to stay active in their own towns and communities. As more retirement locations have adopted pickleball as an integrated sports activity for their population of residents, we have a seen an explosion of new court construction throughout the United States – especially in the southern states. Tennis, racquetball and ping pong players love the competitive nature of the sport and regularly participate in local, regional, and national tournaments.
Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. Three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities — are credited for creating game. Pickleball has evolved from original handmade equipment and simple rules into a popular sport throughout the US and Canada. The game is growing internationally as well, with many European and Asian countries adding courts.
A pickleball court is the same size as a doubles badminton court and measures 20×44 feet. In pickleball, the same court is used for both singles and doubles play. The net height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle. The court is striped similar to a tennis court with right and left service courts and a 7-foot non-volley zone in front of the net (referred to as the “kitchen”). Courts can be constructed specifically for pickleball or they can be converted using existing tennis or badminton courts.
When playing pickleball, each player will need a pickleball paddle, which is smaller than a tennis racquet but larger than a ping-pong paddle. Originally, paddles were made only from wood, however, today’s paddles have evolved dramatically and are primarily made of lightweight composite materials, including aluminum and graphite. Players will also need a net and a pickleball. The ball is unique, with holes through it like a whiffle ball. Different ball models are intended for indoor and outdoor play. Balls come in several colors, including white, yellow and green, but must be a single color to meet International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) specifications.
The Serve
Service Sequence
*At the beginning of each new game only one partner on the serving team has the opportunity to serve before faulting, after which the service passes to the receiving team.
Scoring
Double-Bounce Rule
Non-Volley Zone
Line Calls
Faults
Determining Serving Team
Players use any fair method to determine who will serve first, such as picking number 1 or 2 written on the back of the score-sheet in a tournament. The winner has the option to choose side, or to serve or receive. In recreational play local players or clubs often designate a particular end of the court (e.g., north side) as the side to serve first.
Spa Amenities