Pickleball: How to play the game

The objective in pickleball is for a singles player or doubles team to smack a ball over a net until they win the point when the opponent cannot return it.

Equipment: The ball is a perforated plastic ball the size of a baseball, and the racket a lightweight solid paddle weighing 6-12 ounces.

Court: Played on a paved, rectangular court measuring 20-by-44, a quarter of the size of a tennis court. The net is 3 feet high. Unlike tennis, there’s a designated area, or kitchen, 7 feet from the net, sideline to sideline, where players aren’t allowed to hit the ball on the fly (volley).

Rules: Games are played to 11 points, win by two. A match is best-of-3 sets and, similar to volleyball, points can be won only by the server. The server must serve underhanded and gets only one serve.

Both players on the serving doubles team serve and can score points until they commit a fault or lose the rally.

When the ball is served into the diagonal box, the receiver must let it bounce before returning and then the service team must let it bounce before returning.

Where to play: For places to play, go to http://southflpicklebal6.wixsite.com/ southflpickleball/pickleball-places-to-play or visit South Florida Pickleball on Facebook.

Almost all outdoor facilities do not charge fees. Some indoor courts charge $2 or $3.

MICHAEL LAUGHLIN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Sean Rogers, the tennis director for the city of Fort Lauderdale, plays a game of pickleball.