Pickleball vs Badminton – Choose the Perfect Sport for You

There are many similarities between pickleball and badminton, but they are two different racquet sports. The games both involve hitting a ball over a net on a rectangular court.

There are several differences between pickleball and badminton, such as

• Pickleball courts are 20 feet wide, whereas singles badminton courts are 17 feet wide. 
• The standard badminton net size is 20 feet (6.1 meters) in width, and the net’s height is 5 feet 1 inch (1.55 meters) at the edges and 5 feet (1.52 meters) at the center, while pickleball nets are 36 inches on the ends,, and 34 inches at the center.
• Badminton uses feathered shuttlecocks, while pickleball uses a plastic ball with holes. 
• Badminton rackets are lighter and stringed, whereas pickleball paddles are larger and solid. 
• There are specific rules around serving in badminton. The shuttlecock must be hit below 1.5 meters from the ground with the racket facing upward, and the rally scoring system awards points on every serve. In pickleball, serves are underhand and also aimed diagonally, but points are only scored by the serving side.

Well, that was a short introduction to Pickleball and Badminton. We will now move on to the Detailed differences between both sports, their history, similarities, and which sports are better for beginners. 

Pickleball vs Badminton – Differences 

The two games differ in several key ways, including equipment, rules, gameplay styles, and more. 

1. Court Size

A badminton court measures 44 feet (23.4 meters) long and 17 feet (5.2 meters) wide. Singles are played on this size court (one player per courtside). The court size for doubles (two players per courtside) should be a wider 20 feet (6.2 meters).

A pickleball court is also rectangular and 44 feet (23.4 meters) long and 20 feet (6.2 meters) wide, the same size as the doubles badminton court. Near the net, there is an area called the kitchen, which is 7 feet long on each side. Kitchens are also called no-volley zones. There are some major rules that a person should follow.

• No Volleying While In the kitchen 
• Feet Outside the Kitchen Before and After Volleys 
• Equipment and paddles cannot cross the Non-volley zone while volleying  

2. Height Of Net

There is a difference in the size of the net, too. The standard badminton net size is 20 feet (6.1 meters) in width, spanning the entire court. The net’s height is 5 feet 1 inch (1.55 meters) at the edges and 5 feet (1.52 meters) at the center.

Pickleball nets are 36 inches at the ends and 34 inches at the center. The lower net makes pickleball more accessible for all ages. 

3. Racket/Paddle Design

Rackets used in badminton are extremely light (under 3 ounces) and have tight strings, allowing quick wrist movements and strokes.

Pickleball paddles are larger/heavier with composite polymer surfaces covering the face which produce different shot spins.

4. Ball Type

The shuttlecock used in badminton is feathered and has an open cylindrical shape, which makes the flight path unpredictable. 

A plastic hole-punched ball is used in pickleball, which is slightly larger than a wiffle ball.

5. Scoring System

In pickleball, scoring is done straightforwardly, similar to standard numerical counting: 1, 2, 3, and so on. Points are only scored by the serving side, and games are typically played to 11 points, with a two-point margin required to win.

Badminton uses a pure rally scoring system. This means every serve results in a point, regardless of which side serves. Games are played to 21 points.

What is the 2-Point Advantage Rule? 

Both pickleball and badminton use the “2-point advantage” rule, which states that a team or player must win by 2 points when reaching the goal.

For example

In pickleball, games are played to 11 points. When the score reaches 10-10, a team must win by 2 points to capture the game. So, they must reach a score of at least 12-10 or higher.

In badminton, games are played to 21 points. If the score reaches 20-20, one team must then win by 2 points to claim the game. So they must achieve a score of at least 22-20 or higher.

6. Serving Style

In badminton, the serve starts the game and has specific rules. The shuttlecock must be hit below 1.5 meters from the ground with the racket facing upward. It must clear the net and land within the boundary lines.

A pickleball player must serve with an underhand serve, meaning their arm must remain below the level of their waist. Serving becomes easier as a result of this.

Similarities Between Badminton And Pickleball

There are a number of similarities between badminton and pickleball, let’s explore them one by one.

1. Singles/Doubles Forms

Each sport is played with a single participant (singles) or two players (doubles) on the same-sized court. However, strategies differ between singles and doubles.

2. Court Layout

In both games, the court is rectangular and divided by a net. On each side, there are double sidelines and service boxes.

The History of Badminton & Pickleball

Each sport has its history.

1. History of Badminton

Badminton originated in British India in the 1800s. In the early days of badminton, British army officers played “battledore and shuttlecock” in the open air. The game used battle tactics such as smashing and dodging.

In England, officers introduced the game when they returned. To organize competitions and rules, the Badminton Association of England was formed. In 1887, the All England Open was the first official badminton competition.

By the late 1900s, it became a global sport with popularity in Asia, Europe, and North America. In 1972, badminton made its Olympic debut.

2. Pickleball History

Pickleball was invented much more recently in 1965 in Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA. It was created by a group of dads looking for a game the whole family could play together.

The dads combined ideas from badminton, tennis, and ping pong to create pickleball. They lowered the net and used a plastic holed ball and wooden paddles to slow down the game.

For years, pickleball was mostly played in backyards on homemade courts. By the 1970s, permanent pickleball courts were being built as the sport gained popularity. Leagues and tournaments started forming in the USA and Canada. 

Today, over 5 million North Americans play pickleball as the sport continues to grow.

Pickleball vs Badminton – Which Is Better for You?

Since both badminton and pickleball have their unique appeal and advantages, it is difficult to choose which is better.

Players’ preferences and goals determine which sport is “better.” The game of badminton offers speed, intensity, and status. On the other hand, people of all ages can play pickleball, emphasizing accessibility, social components, and fun.

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Frequently Asked Questions

In the following, you will come across numerous frequently raised queries concerning this topic, each with its accurate answers.

Final Thoughts 

There may be similarities between sports around the world, but their rules and equipment differ

Pickleball and badminton are two of them. Both are played with racquets on rectangular courts, but as discussed in the article, they differ in many ways.

I hope you enjoyed reading this guide and it Covers your Doubts about Pickleball vs Badminton

Just remember one thing no matter what sport you play. Have Fun!