Founded in 2021, Tachikaze Pickleball is driven by a shared passion for pickleball, an exciting and dynamic racquet sport. After running a successful badminton club together in Auckland, New Zealand, the founders transitioned to pickleball. Arriving in Japan in 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the founders discovered that while pickleball was somewhat known in cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, it was virtually unknown in Miyagi.

Determined to unite the local community through a sport that could benefit people of all ages, they overcame administrative challenges to establish Tachikaze Pickleball, the first pickleball club in Miyagi Prefecture. The club's mission was not only to introduce the sport and create a vibrant community centred around fitness, social interaction, and enjoyment but also to offer a supportive environment where participants can engage in both Japanese and English, regardless of their proficiency in either language.

As the sport gained momentum, Tachikaze Pickleball recognised the need for high-quality, Japanese-designed equipment to meet the demands of players at all levels. This led to the brand’s natural evolution, culminating in the creation of premium paddles that reflect the precision and craftsmanship for which Japan is renowned. As an approved USAPA pickleball paddle manufacturer, Tachikaze Pickleball is committed to supporting the game’s growth while ensuring players have access to the best equipment available.

Tachikaze Pickleball focuses on expanding the sport and providing opportunities for players of all ages to stay active, build connections, and have fun in a bilingual environment. The organisation also produces a community-focused newspaper that engages readers by promoting the sport and social interaction through a mix of educational and entertaining content. Regular features include the rules of pickleball, helping readers deepen their understanding of the game.

Pickleball is a fast-growing sport that was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA. Originally created as a backyard game for families, it blends elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Played on a smaller court with a paddle and a perforated plastic ball, pickleball is designed to be accessible to players of all ages and skill levels. Its simple rules and lower physical intensity compared to sports like tennis make it a favourite across generations.

Pickleball can be played either as singles (one player per side) or doubles (two players per side) on a court the size of a badminton court. The objective is to hit the ball over the net and into the opponent's court, allowing it to bounce once on each side. Players use solid paddles to return the ball, aiming to score by forcing their opponents to miss or hit the ball out of bounds. Games are typically played to 11 or 15 points, with a two-point lead required to secure the win.

The game involves a variety of shots and techniques that add depth to its simple structure. Common shots include the dink, a soft, controlled shot that lands just over the net in the non-volley zone (the "kitchen"), and the drive, a powerful groundstroke used to pressure opponents. Another essential move is the third-shot drop, a soft, controlled shot after the serve return that allows players to transition from defence to offence. Mastering these shots can significantly improve a player’s strategic play and success on the court.

Pickleball’s simplicity, engaging gameplay, and social dynamics make it an ideal sport for all ages. Whether in doubles or singles, players not only benefit physically but also foster connections within their communities. It encourages participants to challenge themselves, learn new skills, and have fun, creating a sense of camaraderie that brings people together.

In tournaments, pickleball players are often categorised by both age and skill level to ensure fair competition. Common age brackets include Juniors (under 18), Adults (18-49), and Seniors (50+), with some events offering further divisions such as 60+, 70+, or even 80+. Skill levels are also taken into account, with ratings ranging from 2.0 (beginner) to 5.0+ (advanced). Many tournaments combine age and skill categories, such as a 3.5 skill level for players aged 50+, to ensure evenly matched competition.

Additionally, some events feature combined age divisions, where the sum of both players' ages in doubles must meet or exceed a specified number (e.g., a "100+ combined age" category), allowing for more flexibility in player pairings.

With its origins in family-friendly play and its evolution into a competitive sport, pickleball is here to stay, providing a unique blend of fitness, friendship, and fun for all who play. The inclusion of diverse shot types, tournament structures, and accessible rules ensures that pickleball appeals to players of all ages and abilities, promoting an active, healthy lifestyle across generations.

1. Court Dimensions and Equipment

Pickleball is played on a rectangular court measuring 6.1 x 13.4 metres, the same dimensions as a doubles badminton court. The court is divided by a net, which stands 91 cm high at the sidelines and 86 cm at the centre. The area extending 2.13 metres from the net on both sides is the non-volley zone, commonly referred to as the "kitchen." This zone plays a crucial role in the game’s strategy, as players are not allowed to volley (hit the ball before it bounces) while standing within it. Players use paddles made from composite materials like graphite, carbon fibre, or wood, and a perforated plastic ball, similar to a wiffle ball but designed for competitive play.

2. Game Format

Pickleball can be played in singles (one player per side) or doubles (two players per side), with doubles being the most popular format. Games are typically played to 11, 15, or 21 points, depending on the level of competition, with a minimum lead of two points required to win. For example, a game would not end at 11-10, but would continue until one team has a two-point advantage. While 11 points is the standard for casual games, tournaments often use 15 or 21 points as the target score, particularly in higher-level matches.

3. Serving Rules

The serve in pickleball must be performed with an underhand upward motion, with the ball struck below waist level and aimed diagonally into the opposing team’s service court, clearing the non-volley zone. The server must stand behind the baseline without stepping on or over it before making contact with the ball. In doubles, each player on a team gets to serve before the opposing team takes their turn, starting from the right side of the court. The serve alternates between the team's service courts after each successful point. If a serve lands outside the service court, hits the net, or enters the non-volley zone (kitchen), it results in a fault, and the serve passes to the next player.

4. Double Bounce Rule

Pickleball’s Double Bounce Rule requires that, following the serve, both teams must allow the ball to bounce once before making a return. This means that after the serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce once before returning it, and then the serving team must do the same. Only after these two bounces can players hit volleys. This rule encourages longer rallies and prevents either team from dominating the net too early in a point.

5. Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen) Rules

The non-volley zone, or kitchen, is a key area on the court that adds a unique strategic element to pickleball. Players cannot volley within the non-volley zone, meaning they cannot hit the ball in the air before it bounces if they are standing inside or touching any part of this 2.13-metre area. This rule prevents players from standing too close to the net and makes gameplay more strategic by encouraging soft, controlled shots known as "dinks." A dink is a gentle shot aimed to land in the opponent's kitchen, forcing them to move forward and attempt a difficult return. Players are allowed to enter the kitchen to hit a ball that has bounced, but they must exit immediately after making their shot to avoid being in a position to volley illegally.

6. Scoring

In pickleball, points can only be scored by the serving team. If the receiving team wins a rally, the serve advances to the next player but the receiving team does not score a point. Points are awarded when the opposing team commits a fault, such as hitting the ball out of bounds, into the net, or violating the Double Bounce Rule. As previously mentioned, games are typically played to 11 points, and the team must win by at least a two-point margin. In some tournaments, games are extended to 15 or 21 points, but the two-point lead requirement remains consistent across formats.

7. Faults and Penalties

A fault in pickleball is an error that results in a loss of a rally or serve. Common faults include failing to serve properly (e.g., the ball not landing in the correct service area), hitting the ball out of bounds, letting the ball bounce more than once on your side, stepping into the kitchen to volley, or violating the Double Bounce Rule. Additionally, players may not carry or throw the ball with their paddle. A rally ends immediately if a fault is committed, and the serve advances to the next player or opposing team.

8. Tournament Formats and Age Categories

Pickleball tournaments often follow different formats depending on the level of competition. Matches are played in a best-of-three games format, where the first team to win two games secures the match. Tournament play is often divided into categories based on skill levels and age groups. Common age divisions include 14-18, 19-34, 35-49, 50-64, 65-79, and 80+, ensuring that players compete against opponents of similar age and ability. Additionally, skill levels are classified from beginner (2.0-2.5) up to advanced (5.0+), allowing for competitive balance at all levels of play.

9. Shot Types

In pickleball, various shot types add depth to the game. Besides the serve and volley, players commonly use a variety of techniques to gain an advantage. The dink shot is a soft, controlled shot aimed at the opponent’s kitchen to disrupt their positioning. The drive is a fast, powerful shot designed to put pressure on opponents. The lob sends the ball high over the opponents' heads, forcing them to move back and allowing the hitter to regain control of the point. Another key shot is the smash, which is an aggressive overhead hit meant to end the rally with a decisive point. Understanding when and how to use these different shots is crucial for strategic play in pickleball.

10. Strategy and Player Roles

Successful pickleball players must balance offence and defence while being mindful of positioning and shot selection. In doubles, effective communication between partners is key to maintaining control of the court and responding to opponents’ tactics. Players typically strive to reach the non-volley zone line after the Double Bounce Rule has been satisfied, as this position allows them to cut off angles and apply pressure with volleys or dinks. Strategy also includes keeping shots low over the net to minimise opponents’ opportunities for smashes and positioning themselves to cover potential lobs.