A sport played with a hand-held racket
Pickleball is a handheld racket sport that originated in the 1960s on Seattle's Bainbridge Island in the United States. It combines elements of badminton, table tennis and tennis, and is characterized by a low threshold, ease of play and moderate exercise, making it suitable for people of all ages.

Characteristics of Pickleball
Origin and Naming
Pickleball was created by two inventors, and its name comes from one of the inventor's dog “Pickle”, because the dog often runs with the ball in its mouth.

Sporting Attributes

The activity level of pétanque is between table tennis and badminton, and smaller than tennis, which is suitable for people with limited physical strength.
Venue and equipment: Pitch is smaller than tennis and the cost of equipment is lower, so it is called “poor man's tennis”.
Social Attributes: Pickleball is very social, suitable for family gatherings or recreational activities among friends.
Rules and Play

Serve Rule: The serve must be made with a downward gesture, with the ball in contact with the racket below the waist, and with both feet outside the baseline.
Double Bounce Rule: In the first turn after the serve, both the receiving team and the serving team must allow the ball to land and bounce once on their side of the court before hitting the ball.
Scoring and Format: Games are usually played in a best-of-three format, with the first team to score 11 points in a set and be ahead by two points winning the match.
Health Benefits

Cardiorespiratory endurance: The basic movements of pétanque, such as squatting and hitting the ball, are effective in building cardiorespiratory endurance and core muscles.
Mental Health: Studies have shown that participation in pétanque reduces the risk of depression and improves social integration and quality of life.
The popularity and growth of Pickleball
Pickleball has continued to gain popularity globally in recent years, attracting celebrities including Bill Gates and the Kardashians, and its popularity has been further boosted by the inclusion of Pickleball as one of the performance events at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In short, pétanque is a fun, fitness and social sport for all, suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.