Pickleball Physics Explained, from Balls and Paddles to Shots

image via New Scientist

October 1, 2024, 6:00 PM

• •The fastest serve that will just clear the net and not fly past the opposite baseline leaves the paddle at 54 miles per hour.
• •A pickleball can rocket between opposing players who are drilling it at each other from only 14 feet away, or it can float for what seems like an eternity when it is lobbed skyward.
• •Pickleballs make a unique “pop” when a paddle hits them hard and more of a “plunk” when a paddle hits them softly.

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. for four years running. This article explains the physics behind the game, from how fast the ball flies to how long it can hang in the air. The article also discusses the loudness of the pop made when a pickleball hits a paddle and why some manufacturers are starting to market "quiet" paddles.

Read original article