We are excited to offer you the nation’s fastest growing sport! Pickleball is an exciting activity that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and pingpong. It is played on a court with a low net, and with an oversized paddle and whiffle ball. Grab a friend and join the fun during one of our sessions.
Pickleball Court Layout
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.
Pickleball FAQ
Who can play pickleball?
Everyone! From young kids to older adults, beginners to pros, fierce competitors to social players, people of all ages, abilities, and levels of competitiveness are playing pickleball.
How do I get started if I am new to the sport?
We are excited to hear you are interested in getting started with pickleball! To try pickleball, you’ll need a paddle, balls, athletic shoes, and three friends. Tennis and sporting goods stores typically carry this equipment. The first step is to practice hitting the ball back and forth with another player.
There are a series of set times each week where players can participate in open play at Dakotah! Sport and Fitness. You can play with a partner or rotate partners with each new game. Members can show up to play for free during open pickleball times or make a court reservation for $50 an hour.
Open gym schedules are available online, on our Dakotah! Sport and Fitness app, and within the facility.
Do I have to be a member to play pickleball?
A membership is required to access the pickleball courts at Dakotah! Sport and Fitness. Guests may enter the facility with a member only.
Does Dakotah! Sport and Fitness host pickleball tournaments?
Dakotah! Sport and Fitness does not currently host tournaments but stay tuned!
How do I reserve court time to play pickleball?
Members can reserve a pickleball court for $50 if they want to play outside of open pickleball times. Please check with the fitness desk for more information on reserving a court.
Is pickleball equipment provided at the gym?
Dakotah! Sport and Fitness offers paddles and balls for members to use while playing pickleball. Nets are also set up and ready to use during open pickleball times.
Pickleball Terminology to Know
Carry: Occurs when the ball slides along the paddle when swinging the paddle forward, which appears as a player throwing the ball off of their paddle.
Cross-court: Refers to the box that is diagonally across from another player on the other side of the net.
Dead ball: Can refer to a ball that is no longer in play. A player must make contact with the ball off of the first bounce or else the ball will become “dead.”
Dink shot: Is commonly understood as a controlled shot, where a player hits the pickleball into the Non-Volley Zone (also known as the Kitchen) on their opponents’ side of the court.
Double bounce: Indicates that the ball bounces twice, creating a “dead ball.” It can also make reference to the “double bounce rule.”
Double bounce rule: Is a rule that prevents players from hitting the ball out of the air before each side has allowed the ball to be hit and bounce off the ground once.
Ground stroke: Refers to a shot that is hit hard to generate pressure against an opponent.
Kitchen: Also referred to as the “non-volley zone,” the Kitchen is the 7-foot space on either side of the net. This space is marked off to make it easy to identify. A player may not enter this space unless the ball has already bounced within it.
Live ball: The name for a ball that will bounce off the playing surface once. There must be contact made with the ball off of the first bounce or that ball will become “dead.”
Lob: A type of shot that a player hits out of the air or off the bounce over their opponent’s head.
Non-volley zone: Also referred to as “the Kitchen,” the non-volley zone is the 7-foot space on either side of the net. This space is marked off to make it easy to identify. A player may not enter this space unless the ball has already bounced within it.
Third shot drop: Refers to a shot that takes a dink shot and combines distance. This shot has a weak arch that is intended to land in the non-volley zone. The shot takes away space from the opposing team and allows the hitting player’s team to get to the non-volley zone.
Volley: Is the act of hitting a ball out of the air.