Racket Sports
Pickleball and padel — paddles, court dimensions, rules and gear for the fastest-growing racket sports.
52 guides, records and explainers.
Rules & How It Works
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Around the Post Shot in Pickleball (ATP): Legal and Deadly
The around-the-post shot is legal in pickleball — you hit the ball around the outside of the net post, and it can travel below net height. Here's how.
The Double-Bounce Rule in Pickleball, Explained Simply
The double-bounce (two-bounce) rule means the ball must bounce once on each side before anyone can volley. Here's why it exists and the faults it causes.
Is There a Let in Pickleball? No — the Net Serve Is Live
There is no let serve in pickleball. Since 2021 a serve that clips the net and lands in is live and played on. Here's what changed and why.
Non-Volley Zone Rules in Pickleball: The Complete Reference
The full non-volley zone rulebook: what's allowed, every common kitchen fault, the momentum rule, and the edge cases players argue about most.
Pickleball Doubles Strategy: The Core Habits That Win
Winning pickleball doubles comes down to four habits: get to the net, move as a pair, target the middle, and out-patience the dink. Here's how.
Pickleball Faults Explained: The Full List of Common Faults
A fault ends the rally in pickleball. Here's the full list — kitchen volleys, serve faults, out of bounds, two-bounce violations and net touches.
Pickleball Line Call Rules: What's In, What's Out, Who Calls
Every line is in except the kitchen line on a serve. Players call their own end and give the benefit of the doubt. Here's how line calls work.
Pickleball Scoring Explained: How Points Actually Work
Only the serving side scores in traditional pickleball. Games go to 11, win by 2. Here's how side-out scoring works and how to call the score.
Pickleball Serving Rules: The Legal Serve, Explained
A legal pickleball serve is hit underhand below the waist from behind the baseline, diagonally, with one attempt. The drop serve and full rules here.
Pickleball Serving Sequence: Who Serves When in Doubles
In doubles, both partners serve before a side-out — except the first turn of the game. Here's the serving sequence and the 0-0-2 start rule.
Pickleball Singles Rules: How 1v1 Differs From Doubles
Pickleball singles uses the same court and scoring, but your serve side is set by your score, there's no partner, and you cover the whole court alone.
Pickleball Transition Zone: How to Cross No-Man's Land
The transition zone is the mid-court between baseline and kitchen — the most dangerous place to stand. Here's how to move through it and reset.
Poaching in Pickleball: When to Cross and Steal the Ball
Poaching means crossing to intercept a ball meant for your partner. Done at the right moment it wins points fast. Here's when to poach and when not to.
Rally Scoring in Pickleball: How It Works vs Side-Out
In rally scoring every rally is a point, so games move faster — usually to 15 or 21. Here's how it differs from traditional side-out scoring.
Stacking in Pickleball: What It Is and How to Do It
Stacking is a legal doubles tactic where partners line up on the same side, then switch after the serve to keep each player on their stronger side.
Third-Shot Drop in Pickleball: Why It Wins Points
The third-shot drop is a soft arc from the baseline into the opponent's kitchen that lets the serving team advance to the net. Here's how to hit it.
What Is a Dink in Pickleball? The Soft Shot Explained
A dink is a soft pickleball shot that arcs just over the net into the opponent's kitchen, too low to attack. Here's why it's used and how to hit one.
What Is an Erne in Pickleball? The Legal Kitchen Bypass
An erne is a pickleball shot where you jump around the outside of the kitchen to volley right at the net — legal because your feet land outside the zone.
What Is a DUPR Rating in Pickleball? The 2.0–8.0 Scale
DUPR is pickleball's global rating system on a roughly 2.0–8.0 scale, calculated from your real match results. Here's how it works and how to get one.
Badminton Scoring Rules, Explained
Badminton is scored to 21 points, best of three games, using rally scoring. Win-by-two, the 30-point cap, serving rules and what happens at 20-all.
Racquetball Rules: Serving, Scoring, Hinders
Racquetball rules made simple: how to serve legally, sideout scoring to 15, the tiebreaker to 11, and the difference between dead-ball and penalty hinders.
Table Tennis Serving Rules: The Legal Serve
Table tennis serving rules explained: the 6-inch toss, open palm behind the end line, ball visible, and how a legal serve must bounce on both sides.
Technique & Strategy
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How to Hold a Pickleball Paddle: Grips and Grip Pressure
How to hold a pickleball paddle: the continental and eastern grips, the neutral ready grip, and how much grip pressure to use for control.
How to Play Pickleball Singles: Strategy and Court Coverage
Pickleball singles strategy: where to serve, how to cover the court, when to attack, and why it rewards fitness and placement over doubles touch.
How to Serve in Pickleball: Technique for a Consistent Serve
A step-by-step pickleball serve technique: grip, ball drop or toss, contact point below the waist, and follow-through for a deep, reliable serve.
Pickleball Backhand Technique: One-Handed vs Two-Handed
Pickleball backhand technique: one-handed vs two-handed, plus how to hit the backhand dink, drive and volley with control and depth.
Pickleball Drills: The Practice List That Fixes Your Game
The best pickleball drills for dinking, the third shot, serve and return, volleys and footwork — a practical list with reps and what each one fixes.
Pickleball Footwork: Split Step, Shuffle and Recovery
Pickleball footwork basics: the split step, the shuffle, recovery to ready position, and how to move through the transition zone under control.
Pickleball Lob Shot: When to Use It and How to Defend One
The pickleball lob explained: offensive vs defensive lobs, when to use each, how to hit one over the net players, and how to defend a lob.
Pickleball Ready Position: Paddle Up, Balanced, Prepared
The pickleball ready position: paddle up in front, knees bent, weight forward. Why paddle height matters and how it speeds up your reactions.
Pickleball Return of Serve: Hit Deep and Get to the Net
How to return serve in pickleball: hit deep to pin the server back, follow your return to the kitchen line, and target the backhand for control.
Pickleball Spin Serve: What's Legal and How to Add Spin
The pickleball spin serve explained: the pre-release hand spin is banned, but legal paddle spin is allowed. How to add safe spin the right way.
Pickleball Strategy for Beginners: 5 Habits That Win Points
A beginner pickleball strategy primer: serve deep, get to the kitchen, dink with patience, aim the middle, and keep the ball in play to win more points.
Pickleball Volley Technique: Punch, Block and Reset
Pickleball volley technique: the punch volley, the block and reset, and how to volley at the kitchen line without faulting in the non-volley zone.
Gear & Equipment
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Adidas Padel Rackets: Which Model Should You Buy in 2026
Which Adidas padel racket to buy in 2026: Match for beginners, Cross It or Arrow Hit for control, Metalbone for power. Real prices and a clear pick.
Best Pickleball Paddle: How to Choose the Right One
How to pick the best pickleball paddle: control vs power vs all-court, materials, price tiers, and the new testing rules that decide what stays legal.
Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddles: What Actually Matters
A carbon fiber pickleball paddle wins on spin and durability, but raw vs painted, T700 grades, and build method decide if it's worth the price.
Customizable Pickleball Paddles: Cost and Where to Buy
Where to get a customizable pickleball paddle in 2026, what gets personalized, real prices from $10 to $325, and if custom paddles stay tournament-legal.
JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV vs Hyperion: Which to Buy
JOOLA Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV vs Hyperion Pro IV compared spec-by-spec: shape, weight, price and who each paddle actually suits in 2026.
Best Lightweight Padel Rackets: Who Needs One and Why
A lightweight padel racket is under 355g, not FIP-mandated. Who actually benefits, 6 current models with real weights and prices, and the power you give up.
Where to Buy a Padel Racket: Best Places by Country (2026)
Where to buy a padel racket for sale in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada in 2026: named retailers, real price ranges, and how to avoid a counterfeit.
Padel Racket Buying Guide: Shape, Core, and Price
How to choose a padel racket by shape, core, and skill level, with real 2026 price tiers from $50 to $300+ and the specs that actually matter.
Padel Rackets for Beginners: What to Buy and Avoid
Padel rackets for beginners: buy a round, soft-core racket near 350-365g. What to look for, budget picks with USD and GBP prices, and what to avoid.
Pickleball Paddle for Beginners: How to Pick Your First
Choosing a pickleball paddle for beginners comes down to weight, grip, and a 16mm core. Here are the specs to check and budget vs mid picks with real prices.
Selkirk Pickleball Paddles: Which Model to Buy in 2026
Which Selkirk pickleball paddle to buy in 2026: Vanguard, Amped, Luxx, and SLK compared on price, core, weight, and who each is actually for.
Top-Rated Pickleball Paddles: How to Pick the Right One
A spec-driven guide to the top rated pickleball paddle: core thickness, shape, weight, grip and price tiers, plus 2026 control and power picks.
Explainer
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Paddle Tennis vs Pickleball: Key Differences
Paddle tennis vs pickleball: how the courts, paddles, balls and scoring differ, plus where padel and platform tennis fit into the confusion.
Padel Court Construction Cost, Explained
Padel court construction cost runs roughly $85k-$120k installed in the US and about £71k per court in the UK. See a breakdown of glass, turf, and labor.
Padel Court Size: Official Dimensions and Diagram
Padel court size is 20m x 10m with a 0.88m net and glass walls. Exact dimensions, service boxes, single vs double, and how it stacks up against tennis.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Pickleball Court?
Pickleball court construction cost runs $20,000 to $40,000 in 2026. Full breakdown by base, surface, fencing, lighting, DIY, and tennis conversion.
Pickleball Court Size: Exact Dimensions and Space Needed
A pickleball court is 20 by 44 feet for singles and doubles. Exact kitchen, net and line specs, plus the total space you actually need to build one.
