[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Heard the word pickleball everywhere lately and wondering what the hype\u2019s all about?<\/p>\n
You\u2019re not alone \u2014 pickleball has exploded in popularity across the UK and beyond. What started as a fun paddle game played in driveways is now one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Whether you\u2019re looking to stay fit, have fun, or join something social and low-impact, pickleball might just be your next obsession.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s your no-fluff, high-level guide to everything a beginner needs to know.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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Pickleball is a racket sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Think: less running than tennis, more laughs than squash.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/unleashedperformance.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/p4.jpg” title_text=”p4″ force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/unleashedperformance.co.uk\/reading\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/pb6.jpg” title_text=”pb6″ force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s easy to learn<\/strong> \u2013 You don\u2019t need previous racket sport experience.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n It\u2019s social<\/strong> \u2013 Games are quick and fun, so it\u2019s perfect for meeting people.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n It\u2019s accessible<\/strong> \u2013 Great for all ages and fitness levels.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n It burns calories<\/strong> \u2013 Without you noticing, because you\u2019re having fun.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n It\u2019s growing fast<\/strong> \u2013 Courts are popping up everywhere, especially across the UK in gyms, parks, and sports halls.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Court Size<\/strong><\/p>\n 20 x 44 feet (smaller than tennis)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n You serve underarm cross-court<\/p>\n<\/li>\n There\u2019s a \u201cno-volley zone\u201d called the kitchen<\/strong> (yes, really)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Scoring<\/strong><\/p>\n Only the serving team can score<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Games are played to 11, win by 2<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Gear<\/strong><\/p>\n Paddle: lighter than a tennis racket<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Ball: plastic, with holes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Shoes: any court trainer will do to start<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/unleashedperformance.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pb5.jpg” title_text=”pb5″ force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/unleashedperformance.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pb1.jpg” title_text=”pb1″ force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \n In the UK, pickleball is booming. Look for:<\/p>\n Leisure centres and gyms (David Lloyd, PureGym, and others are adding courts)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Local sports halls<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Outdoor converted tennis courts<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Meetup groups and beginner sessions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Not sure where to start? Sites like PickleballEngland.org<\/a> have a court finder for the UK.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/unleashedperformance.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/p3.jpg” title_text=”p3″ force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/unleashedperformance.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/p2.jpg” title_text=”p2″ force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \n If you\u2019re looking for:<\/p>\n A low-impact<\/strong> way to stay active<\/p>\n<\/li>\n A social<\/strong> sport to meet people<\/p>\n<\/li>\n A fun<\/strong> way to build fitness without the gym slog You don\u2019t need to be \u201csporty\u201d to enjoy pickleball \u2014 just curious and up for a laugh. And who knows? You might just get hooked.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n This isn\u2019t just a passing trend. Pickleball is growing fast in the UK \u2014 and now\u2019s the perfect time to get involved while it\u2019s still fresh, welcoming, and community-driven.<\/p>\n If Unleashed Performance ever adds a court (\ud83d\udc40), you\u2019ll be the first to know.<\/p>\n USEFULL LINKS<\/b> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Heard the word pickleball everywhere lately and wondering what the hype\u2019s all about? You\u2019re not alone \u2014 pickleball has exploded in popularity across the UK and beyond. What started as a fun paddle game played in driveways is now one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Whether you\u2019re looking to stay fit, have fun, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":27090,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40],"class_list":["post-27082","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","tag-beginner-fitness","tag-fitness-trends-2025","tag-fun-ways-to-get-fit","tag-group-fitness","tag-how-to-play-pickleball","tag-low-impact-fitness","tag-pickleball","tag-pickleball-for-beginners","tag-racket-sports","tag-uk-pickleball"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/unleashedperformance.co.uk\/reading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27082","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/unleashedperformance.co.uk\/reading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/unleashedperformance.co.uk\/reading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unleashedperformance.co.uk\/reading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unleashedperformance.co.uk\/reading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27082"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/unleashedperformance.co.uk\/reading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27082\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27560,"href":"https:\/\/unleashedperformance.co.uk\/reading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27082\/revisions\/27560"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unleashedperformance.co.uk\/reading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27090"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/unleashedperformance.co.uk\/reading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27082"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unleashedperformance.co.uk\/reading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27082"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unleashedperformance.co.uk\/reading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27082"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
It\u2019s played on a court roughly half the size of a tennis court, using solid paddles and a perforated plastic ball (like a wiffle ball). You can play singles or doubles<\/strong>, and it\u2019s just as much fun competitively as it is casually.<\/p>\n\ud83d\udca5 Why Is It So Popular?<\/h2>\n
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\ud83e\udde0 The Basics You Need to Know<\/h2>\n
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\ud83d\udd11 Beginner Tips to Get You Started<\/h2>\n
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\ud83d\udccdWhere Can You Play?<\/h2>\n
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\ud83e\udde0 Is Pickleball Right for You?<\/h2>\n
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Then yes<\/strong>, it\u2019s for you.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\ud83d\ude80 Final Word: Try It Before It Goes Mainstream<\/h2>\n
\nPickle Ball England<\/a>
\nPickle Book Club Locator<\/a><\/p>\n