Capel LTC

Pickleball has come to Capel Tennis Club!

Please click here to book a court

What is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a fun sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. Played both indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court with a net 34 inches high at the center. Two or four players use solid paddles (made of wood or composite materials) to hit a perforated polymer ball over a net.

Created in 1965, Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the world and is played by millions of people.

How can I join in?

Capel Tennis Club provides all the equipment required including paddles, indoor/outdoor balls and nets.

If you are interested in playing Pickleball at Capel or just want more information please email your enquiry to capeltennis@gmail.com and we will be in touch.

How are sessions organised?

We run club sessions up to twice per week, based upon demand, organised via two Pickleball WhatsApp groups:

• Social play on a Wednesday afternoon & Sunday afternoon/evening - open to everyone
• Intermediate play on a Sunday afternoon/evening - open to players seeking more competitive play

How much does a session cost?

Winter pickleball

During the Winter we play in venues such as the Dorking Sports Center, the Bridge at Broadbridge Heath, and the Holbrook Club in Horsham.

Spring, Summer, Autumn pickleball

If weather permits, we play outdoors at Capel Tennis Club. Two of our tennis courts have pickleball lines on them. Two pickleball courts fit on one tennis court, which means we can have up to four pickleball courts in use at the same time.

If weather does not permit outdoor play, we play indoors at one of the venues we use for winter pickleball.

Basic Rules

The ball is served underhand from the right side of the court and is played diagonally across to the other service court. The defending side has to let the ball bounce first before it can be returned and, subsequently, the serving side also has to let the ball bounce. It is only on the third ball that the ball can be returned immediately. Either you can play a volley or you can let the ball bounce first.

Points can only be scored by the serving side. You win a point if the defending side does not manage to return the ball, hits the ball out, does not let the serve ball bounce, volleys in the non-volley zone, or is hit by the ball. The game ends when one of the parties gets 11 points, with a 2-point lead.

When a side scores a point, the same person serves, but from the other side of the court. When a player loses a point, his or her partner serves from the side of the court where he or she is standing at the moment. If this service also fails to score, service goes to the opponent and the opponent begins the service on the right. For the first service, however, the service changes sides after only one serve.