Badminton vs. Pickleball: What’s the Difference?

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In this fast-paced world, people have become more concerned about their physical health, leading them to play indoor games to boost stamina and strength. For that, racket sports has become even more popular among the mass people.

To be specific, Badminton and Pickleball are what come first to mind. However, badminton influences pickleball, which puts the players in a dilemma due to game similarities.

Hence, we’ll break down the Badminton vs Pickleball to lay out the exact differences between the two.

The primary differences between these games are their basic rules, environment, and more. However, walk with us to know more differences between these racket games.

Badminton

This sport has a 2000-year history and a set of rules that modern players have grasped. During a game of Badminton, players use a shuttlecock, also called a birdie, and a netted racquet is used to strike the cork. The game can be played by two or four individuals indoors and outdoors.

The game is played using badminton racquets for a total of twenty-one points. A projectile birdie with an open conical form is known as a cork. Professional players have begun to use synthetic corks instead of feather shuttles because they are more durable.

Pickleball

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines ping pong, Badminton, and Wiffle ball. It is one of the quickest paddle sports. All-around fitness benefits include better mobility, balance, and agility for athletes who participate in this activity.

This game is popular among those looking to get extra workouts and build their stamina. In addition to being a good starter game and helping users burn more calories, the game has a minimal setup cost. Pickleball paddles and balls are pretty affordable, making it easy to get started.

Badminton vs. Pickleball: What’s the Difference?

There’re so many differences between Pickleball and Badminton, especially how both games are played. The following things are the primary factors that differentiate these games:

Uses of a Shuttlecock and Ball

The main difference is that badminton players use a shuttlecock to play, whereas Pickleball uses a ball.

A shuttlecock in Badminton is typically made from a duck or geese’s feathers. But, nowadays, much cheaper plastic form is available in the market.

In comparison to Badminton, pickleball players use a ball with a hole, unlike a solid ball used in tennis.

Equipment

In this section, we will talk about the item that players use to hit the ball. Badminton players use a very lightweight racket.

Pickleball players utilize a solid wooden paddle that is far more substantial than the equipment used on the badminton court.

Rules and Regulations

Playing Pickleball is much easier because it doesn’t have any tough rules to understand or play. It won’t take more than 15 minutes to understand the basics of this game.

But for a beginner, the rules and regulations of Badminton might be challenging to understand. However, once you know the rules, it’s going to stay with you forever.

Strokes

Here comes the last and one of the important differences of both games: the strokes players give during the game.

Badminton players have a tendency to employ both overhand and underhand strokes in their games. Pickleball, on the other hand, often just needs underhand strokes.

Badminton Court vs. Pickleball Court (Dimension Mainly)

An indoor pickleball court is the same size as a doubles badminton court, at 2044 square feet total. Singles and doubles pickleball are played on the same court. The net height is 36 inches on the sides and 34 inches in the center.

Pickleball courts are basically the same as badminton courts, with two notable exceptions. Badminton’s no service line is 6.5 feet from the net compared to Pickleball’s no volley zone at 7 feet, making it easier to play Badminton.

What Do Pickleball and Badminton Have in Common?

There are many parallels between Pickleball and Badminton, which isn’t surprising given that Badminton was an early influence on Pickleball.

Both sports can be played by two or four participants. Doubles matches are usually played when four players are present and are characterized by forming two teams of two players.

Pickleball, like Badminton, is played on a court, but it’s considerably smaller, and the net is much lower to the ground at 36 inches.

There’re a few more similarities between the two games, such as both the games are played by racket which is used to hit a ball or shuttlecock and some of the regulations, but as we already mentioned that one is significantly more difficult to master.

Even though Pickleball provides a more broad kind of exercise, both of these activities are physically taxing. During play, players must be able to maintain a high level of coordination and movement.

Frequently Asked Questions on Badminton vs. Pickleball

Can you play Pickleball on a badminton court?

Pickleball is a combination of Badminton, tennis, and other racket games. But Badminton directly influenced this game in the formation of the game. Having said that, if you’re playing Pickleball only for fun, then you can use the badminton ground, but for a serious match, you have to use pickleball court and net.

Is Pickleball similar to Badminton?

No pickleball isn’t similar to Badminton, but certainly, they have some similarities like both the game can be played by two or four members. But the rules, environment, equipment of both games are different.

Which is easier, Pickleball or Badminton?

As we already talked about, Badminton has quite tough rules to understand and maintain for a beginner. On the other hand, a newcomer can easily catch Pickleball’s rules and regulations, which makes the game easier to play.

Conclusion

So far, you got to know Badminton vs. Pickleball. A shuttlecock or ball and a racket can be found in many different sports, making it difficult to tell the difference between Badminton and these other games.

Not to mention, Pickleball is clearly influenced by Badminton, but it also has its own unique characteristics.

Both sports have their merits, giving players equally strong advantages in terms of physical conditioning. Enjoy to your heart’s content.

I'm Dave Ogden, a professional pickleball player from Ogden, Utah. When I'm not dominating the court, I pour my passion into writing a blog, sharing pickleball trips and tricks. Join me as I take you on an exciting journey through the world of pickleball. Let's improve our game together!

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