This one's for the pickleheads.
For the fourth year in a row, pickleball is America’s fastest-growing sport. At least 36 million people have tried pickleball, and pickleball courts now number over 16,000 in the U.S. alone. With all this growth, pickleball is starting to lose the reputation it once had as a sport just for older folks. The largest age bracket of pickleball players is now 25-34 (28% of players). About 30% of “avid” pickleball players–those who play at least once a month–are above 44 years old.
Pickleball’s multigenerational appeal can be attributed in part to its accessibility. Sometimes described as a combination of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, pickleball has low barriers to entry. Pickleball coach Ernie Medina Jr. told The New York Times, “In tennis, the balls are all over the place. In pickleball, you're hitting a plastic wiffle-like ball, so it's less bouncy and doesn't fly as fast through the air. And the paddle is much easier to handle because it's shorter and lighter than a tennis racket."
Of course, athletes should always know their limits and accept the inherent risks of playing a sport; pickleball players see their fair share of sports injuries. But pickleball is a great workout and promotes social interaction, which has plenty of mental health benefits. In CSA Journal, Issue 93, Kyle Laramie detailed the transformative, research-backed health benefits of pickleball, including everything from weight management to decreased stress.
For the Avid Pickleball Players
If you’re a pickleball player, none of this is news. The rest of this post is for you, pickleheads. Since pickleball is still such a new game, USA Pickleball tweaks the rules each year. Don’t hit the court again without understanding what’s new in 2025–at least not with any avid pickleball competitors.
1. Introduction of Rally Scoring in Doubles Play. Before this year, pickleball employed a side-out scoring system, where only the serving team could score points. In 2025, USA Pickleball approved the optional use of rally scoring for doubles matches in certain tournaments. In rally scoring, the ref awards a point at the conclusion of every rally, regardless of which team served. This change aims to streamline matches and add a new strategic layer to the game. But keep in mind that traditional side-out scoring remains in effect for major tournaments, such as the USA Pickleball National Championships.
2. Clarification on the Start of a Volley. To eliminate ambiguities surrounding volleys, the 2025 rulebook provides a clearer definition of when a volley begins. A volley is now officially recognized as starting when the player's paddle makes contact with the ball. This clarification makes it easier for referees to call faults.
3. Equipment Specifications and Approvals. The 2025 rulebook makes some recommendations on equipment for competitive play.
Balls: For any USA Pickleball-sanctioned tournament, the ball in play must be listed on the official list of approved balls available on the USA Pickleball website.
Paddles: Players are responsible for confirming that their paddles are approved and listed as "Pass" on the USA Pickleball Approved Paddle List.
4. Serving Techniques and Restrictions. The rules surrounding the serve have been refined to promote fairness and consistency.
Ball Release: Players are permitted to release the ball with either their hand or paddle when serving. However, imparting spin on the ball during the release is prohibited.
Drop Serve: When executing a drop serve, the ball may roll off the face of the paddle by gravity alone, without any additional force or spin imparted.
5. Spectators Should Keep Their Opinions to Themselves. That’s right, the new rules outlaw “bleacher coaching." Spectators may no longer offer advice to players during a competition.
If you’re new to pickleball, don’t let the competition rules overwhelm you. With thousands of people joining the sport every year, there are plenty of teachers out there. This summer could be a great time to pick up a paddle.
Sources:
https://www.theapp.global/news/nearly-50-million-adult-americans-have-played-pickleball https://thepickler.com/pickleball-blog/pickleball-2025-rule-changes/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
