Is Pickleball or Paddleball the Right Sport for You?

You’re itching to get a paddle in your hands but are stuck between the popular game of pickleball and the fast-paced thrill of paddleball. So which should you play? Whether you’re looking for a new challenge or some recreational fun, both games offer a rewarding workout as well as a few key differences. Keep reading to learn all about pickleball vs. paddleball!

Pickleball is a social, low-impact sport played with a paddle and a perforated plastic ball on a court with a net. Paddleball is a fast-paced game played with a solid rubber ball on a walled court. Let’s explore some of the more technical differences:

In paddleball, players use paddles to hit a ball against a wall. The goal is to keep the ball in play by hitting it against the wall and not letting it bounce more than once before returning. The game can be played both indoors and outdoors in singles or doubles by players of all ages and skill levels. Whether played competitively or for fun, paddleball is a fast-paced sport that requires quick reflexes.

• Paddleball is a lively racquet sport that dates back to the 1930s. Originally created by Earl Riskey (a physical education instructor at the University of Michigan), the sport blends elements of racquetball, tennis, and squash to create an easy to learn yet hard to master game.

• The game quickly spread beyond the university setting and gained a foothold in American recreational sports.

• Although it can be played in a best-of-three format like pickleball, you can also play paddleball as a solo game. First, call the game usually with what is known as the server’s score. For example, if the server has ten points and the receiver has eight, the score is referred to as "10-8.”

One-wall paddleball and four-wall paddleball are simply different versions of the same sport. They both follow the same basic paddleball rules and require the same skill sets; however, they are played on different courts.

• One-wall paddleball is played on courts with a single solid wall. It focuses on power and accuracy and can be played on indoor or outdoor courts.

• Four-wall paddleball is played on courts enclosed by four solid walls, allowing for more strategic gameplay. Because the court must be completely closed in, it’s typically played indoors.

Pickleball is a racquet sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. The game originates back to 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Three fathers — Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — invented the sport as a way to entertain their bored children during the summer.

• They improvised with the equipment they had, creating a game with simple rules that could be played in a small space. Players commonly believe that pickleball was named for the Pritchards' family dog, Pickles, who would chase the ball around during the game.

• Play pickleball on indoor or outdoor badminton-sized courts with a modified tennis net as singles or doubles. Its rules include a no-volley zone on the court known as ‘the kitchen.’

• The goal of the game is to score points by using a paddle to hit a ball over the net and into the opponent’s court in a way that it cannot be returned.

• Like paddleball, pickleball can be played competitively or for fun, but it is typically a more casual game.

Paddleball and pickleball have four key differences: the courts, paddles, balls, and scoring.

Pickleball courts typically measure 20’ x 44’. They also have a 7’ no-volley zone on either side of the net, in which players may not hit the ball. To help the ball bounce, pickleball courts are made of concrete, asphalt, or specialized court surfacing materials. The courts don’t have walls but may have fencing to keep the ball from going too far.

Paddleball courts typically measure 34’ x 20’, don’t have nets, and are surrounded by one or four walls that reach up to 16’ high. Similar to pickleball courts, they are made of concrete or other solid materials to help the ball bounce. Although these courts can be indoors or outdoors, four-wall courts are generally indoors.

Pickleball paddles are typically smaller, lighter, and more squared off than those used in paddleball. Pickleball rules require paddles to be completely solid. Depending on player preference, paddles can be wide and rectangular with larger hitting surfaces or long and narrow with smaller hitting surfaces.

Paddleball paddles are longer, narrower, and have larger grip sizes. They are oval or round and have short handles. Their surfaces can be solid or have holes to reduce wind resistance.

Although both sports paddles are commonly made from wood or composite materials, paddleball paddles can also be made of aluminum or graphite. Players may choose aluminum or wood paddles for power, graphite paddles for speed, or composite paddles for a combination of power and control.

Pickleball balls (often referred to as ‘pickleballs’) are lightweight, made of plastic, and have either 26 or 40 holes, depending on whether you’re playing indoors or outdoors. This helps with wind resistance and improves flight stability. Pickleballs bounce less than paddleball balls and tend to be more durable.

Paddleball balls are small and made of solid rubber to increase rebound potential. They have high bounce and typically come in bright colors to help players track them during fast-paced gameplay.

In pickleball, points can only be scored by the serving team. The serving team scores if the opposing team fails to return the ball or commits a fault. The serving team continues to serve until they fault.

A key rule in scoring and gameplay is the "two-bounce rule," which states that each team must play their first shot off a bounce. That is, the receiving team must let the serve bounce once before hitting it, and the serving team must also let the return bounce once before hitting it.

Games are typically played to 11 points, and the winning team must be ahead by two points. If one team reaches 11 points but isn’t ahead by two, the game continues.

Pickleball is played similarly to tennis in a best-of-three format. When calling the score, the sequence is the serving team's score first, then the receiving team's score, then the server number (one or two, depending on which team member is serving). For example, a score announcement might sound like:

One-wall paddleball is played to a predetermined number, typically 15 or 21, with the winning team ahead by two points. Both the serving and opposing teams can score. The serving team scores a point if the opposing team fails to return the ball or commits a fault. Four-wall paddleball is similar, but only the serving team can score points.

Despite paddleball and pickleball being very different sports, they do have a few things in common: game format, skill needed to play, and health benefits.

• Both paddleball and pickleball can be played in a best-of-three format (like tennis).

• To win either game, a team or individual player must be ahead by a 2-point margin.

• The game continues if a player or team reaches the maximum score set for the game but the winning team isn’t ahead by at least two points.

• Although played at different paces with unique rules and courts, paddleball and pickleball demand similar skills: agility, hand-eye coordination, precision, footwork, strategy, and effective communication (when played in doubles).

• The technical aspects of each skill may change depending on which game you choose; however, the basics of them are essentially transferable.

• Both paddleball and pickleball are aerobic sports that improve cardiovascular health, endurance, stamina, balance and coordination, muscle strength, and flexibility.

• As social sports, they are also beneficial to emotional and mental well-being.

Choosing between paddleball and pickleball is a matter of personal preference. However, there are a few things to consider when deciding between the two: accessibility, sport popularity and community, playing conditions, your skill level, & budget.

• Consider which sport has the most courts in your area. If there aren’t courts nearby, you likely won’t have many opportunities to play.

• You might find paddleball and pickleball courts at gyms, recreational centers, parks, and college campuses by doing a quick Google search or asking members of your community online.

• For help finding pickleball courts, games, and lessons near you, check out the Pickleheads court finder website.

When it comes to community, both paddleball and pickleball are social activities. You can play both racquet sports competitively or recreationally. However, pickleball tends to have a more lighthearted, relaxed atmosphere.

• Popularity varies by location, but pickleball is more commonly played than paddleball in the USA, with nearly five million players across the nation.

• The more people in your area who play the sport, the more likely you’ll be to play and find teammates and opponents who match your skill level.

• The most popular sport in your area is also more likely to have tournaments and events to participate in.

Pickleball and paddleball have very similar playing conditions. But you’ll need to decide if you prefer to play indoors or outdoors.

• Indoor courts often have amenities to make players comfortable: AC, restrooms, adequate lighting, and more.

• Outdoor courts are vulnerable to the elements, making gameplay more difficult. Weather exposure limits when you can play and tends to make it more tiring. You will have to invest in additional clothing to protect you if you choose to play in inclement weather.

• Both sports have transferable skills (like agility, footwork, and strategy) and can be played by people of all ages and skill levels.

• But paddleball tends to be faster-paced than pickleball, which can make it more difficult for some to play.

Although the price of equipment and clothing for each sport is comparable, there are other financial considerations.

• Pickleball balls are generally more durable than paddleballs. This means paddleball players should factor in the cost of replacing broken or worn balls down the line.

• If you play on dedicated pickleball or paddleball courts, indoor gyms, or recreational centers, expect to pay monthly or yearly membership fees.

• Outdoor courts can also have membership fees but can be used for free more often than indoor courts. These fees help maintain the court, building, employees, and amenities.

When it comes to choosing between paddleball and pickleball, there is no right or wrong answer—it’s a matter of which sport you most enjoy. Both sports offer supportive communities and are great ways to stay active, engage socially, and enjoy competition. Whether you’re drawn to the energetic rallies of paddleball or the strategic depth of pickleball, both games are sure to provide endless hours of fun.

Ready to hit the court? Check out the wide selection of pickleball equipment and accessories at Academy Sports + Outdoors!