Pickleball vs Badminton- What’s the Difference?

Badminton Vs. Pickleball – In addition to its similarities with tennis, pickleball takes on some important rules and regulations from badminton, which is considered a fusion of three sports. In conclusion, pickleball is not a separate game, but a fusion of three sports.

When we talk about pickleball’s association with badminton, we cannot ignore badminton. The similarity and difference between badminton and pickleball is also the motivation for this article. What is the difference between badminton and pickleball?

Birds are used in badminton, while Wiffle balls are used in pickleball. When it comes to badminton, the net is about waist height, but when it comes to pickleball, it is barely knee height. Pickleball requires consistency and a good backhand, while badminton demands speed and quickness.

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The ball used in pickleball is similar to a Wiffle ball, while the shuttlecock is used in badminton. Tennis courts can easily accommodate both badminton and pickleball courts due to their identical sizes.

Nets can be folded up easily for both of these sports and stored beside the courts. When playing pickleball, paddles are used while when playing badminton, rackets are used. Now let’s dig a little deeper.

Pickleball vs Badminton

Pickleball vs Badminton

Is Pickleball Similar to Badminton?

As far as the origins of badminton and pickleball are concerned, pickleball is not as old as badminton. The game of pickleball is very different from badminton, which is a lot more physically demanding.

In spite of the fact that both games have a similar nature, they are vastly different from one another. Both of these games have many differences. In this article, we discuss some of the differences between the two sports.

1. Badminton Court vs Pickleball Court:

There are some similarities in the dimensions and areas of the pickleball court vs badminton court where these games are played. Tennis courts can easily accommodate both of these courts. Tennis courts are measured by yield, while pickleball courts are measured by net height, which is lower than that of tennis courts.

A Pickleball net measures 36 inches in width and 61 inches in height, while a badminton net measures 36 inches in width. The no-service line on the pickleball court is approximately seven feet away, whereas the one on the badminton court is about six feet away. 

2. Badminton Rules vs Pickleball Rules:

In contrast to badminton, pickleball has many differences in its rules. In this passage, some of these rules are explained in more detail.

Both sports are played with different types of equipment, which is one of the big differences between them. In pickleball, a ball is used, while in badminton, a shuttlecock is used. Paddles are used in Pickleball, while racquets are used in badminton.

3. Badminton Serves vs Pickleball Serves:

There are many ways in which pickleball’s net height affects the gameplay due to its lower height than badminton’s. Compared to pickleball players in badminton, badminton players are not restricted in serving.

In badminton, players are not limited to any means of serving in pickleball, while in pickleball, serves are made under the hand. Additionally, Pickleball only allows players to score on their service turn, whereas badminton does not allow players to score on their service turn.

Serves in badmintonServes in pickleball
Badminton serve can be either low, high, flicked, or driven.In pickleball, there are three types of serves: high soft serves, power serves, and soft angle serves
In badminton, a low serve is made by gently tapping the shuttle over the netPickleball’s high soft serve lands deep in the opponent’s court
In badminton, a high serve is a strong serve. It aims to get the shuttle up high and at the back of the opponent’s courtPickleball power serves are fast and low serves that force the opponent to react quickly
A flick serve in badminton aims to move the shuttle upward. Swinging the racket around the body is done with the back of the handSoft angle serves are softer shots that aim to get the player off the court, leaving the remaining court open for attacking
Drive serves are offensive flat serves used to win quick points to unsuspecting receivers. 

4. Pickleball vs Badminton Gameplays:

Even though both games have some similarities, their gameplay and scoring systems are quite different.

The difference between the two games is that if the server commits the fault, neither player will score and after that, the receiver will serve. Whether the players are serving or receiving, they can score in badminton.

In badminton, the opponents tend to win the majority of games out of three sets, which is one of the notable differences between the two games. It is known as love in badminton and players begin with zero points. As for Pickleball games, a player wins when they score 11 points, 2 points more than their opponent.

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It is more or less the same in Pickleball when it comes to faults. The following are additional mistakes to avoid:

  • During a service return, volleying the ball is common
  • After serving, volleying the ball on the first return
  • Your serve does not land in the correct box.
  • It is also a fault to play the ball inside the non-volley zone or in the kitchen.
Scoring a Point in BadmintonScoring a Point in Pickleball
A point is scored when the shuttlecock lands on the opponent’s side of the courtPoints are scored whenever a player or their partner serves
A player scores a point when the shuttlecock cannot be volleyed to his opponent’s courtA pickleball point is earned when an opponent volleys the ball while remaining inside the no-volley zone.
A shuttlecock lands outside the boundaries of the court in badminton to score a pointA pickleball player scores a point when the ball bounces twice before being returned.
A fault is scored when an opponent commits oneA goal is scored when the ball lands out of bounds

Playing Each sport has its own benefits:

Taking a look at the mental and physical benefits of each sport, let’s see:

Badminton:pickleball vs badminton

  • Playing badminton has the benefit of being a fast-moving sport with low injury risk, and it can be played in cold weather. It’s also very affordable since you only need a racket, but there are many places that offer club teams if someone wants to join one.
  • As a sport, badminton, if played properly, can prevent injuries since you have to run around and hit the shuttlecock, which makes it a more active sport than just sitting on the court and hitting the ball.
  • A badminton racket, depending on how good it is, can cost around $20-$40, making it much cheaper than other sports.

Pickleball:pickleball vs badminton

  • If you don’t want to play tennis, pickleball gives you the same benefits. There is a lot of similarity between pickleball and badminton.
  • The game of pickleball is also a great way to work on your fitness since you’re running around as much as playing badminton, but you’re also hitting a ball back and forth.
  • Pickleball has many advantages, including the fact that most places that have pickleball courts also have badminton courts, so you can play both games, you can wear regular tennis shoes since you don’t need special cleats for pickleball, and it’s cheaper than racquetball and badminton.
  • You will need to learn the basics of tennis before you can play pickleball if you don’t already know how to play.

Pickleball vs Badminton: Similarities

There are many similar racquet sports like badminton, ping pong, and tennis, and pickleball is one of them. 

The court size is similar to that of a badminton court, so this game can be played indoors as well as outdoors. As racquet games, both rounds can be learned quickly. This is their main similarity.

Besides being a great way to spend quality leisure time, both games are also excellent ways to improve physical fitness.

The ball must pass over the net in both sports, which means they are net sports. In both the men’s singles and men’s doubles games, as well as the women’s singles and women’s doubles games, it will fall in the opponent’s region for the score to occur. 

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Attributes Related to Pickleball and Badminton:

AttributesBadmintonPickleball
Equipment
  • Stringed racquets and cocks are used for playing badminton.
  • Shuttlecocks are used instead of balls for playing the shot.
  • Played with solid wood paddles, pickleball is a sport for all ages.
  • Perforations are incorporated into the lightweight ball used in this game.
Play Zone
  • A badminton court is wider and longer than a tennis court.
  • To send the shuttlecock to the opposite side, players hit hard on the net used in the game.
  • There is a smaller size difference between pickleball courts and tennis courts.
  • Playing pickleball usually requires the net to touch the floor because it’s suspended lower. In this way, the ball can be easily tossed across the net by the players.
Scoring System
  • Every round of the badminton game is scored in a rally system. 21 points are scored throughout the game.
  • Points are awarded to the service team in Pickleball.
  • There are only 11 points in this game, so scoring points is difficult.
Gameplay
  • Ensure that the shuttle does not touch the ground.
  • Playing pickleball on the ground is totally fine.
Origin
  • Tennis influenced the development of badminton.
  • Playing pickleball is similar to playing badminton, tennis, and ping pong at the same time.

How to Choose the Right Sport for You Between Badminton & Pickleball?

pickleball vs badminton

It is important to weigh the pros and cons of both badminton and tennis before you decide which is right for you. Are you looking for an activity that has low impact and is more of an individual sport (badminton)? Pickleball, for example, constantly requires players to switch between offense and defense.

In case pickleball is more your thing, you’d be better off finding a place with both badminton and pickleball courts. Taking advantage of this arrangement will allow you to play both sports without having to travel between them.

In terms of badminton, getting better at the sport would be best accomplished by joining a badminton club that offers competition at a higher level.

The Verdict: Badminton is probably your best option if you don’t want to play a high-intensity sport that is prone to injuries. When you’re looking for a sport that’s high-intensity and not afraid of getting injured, tennis is the sport for you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What is the difference between badminton and pickleball?

It is possible to recreate both the badminton and pickleball courts on a tennis court since their sizes are identical. In addition to these lines, different colors can be painted on a tennis court to make it more visually appealing. There is a portable and foldable net available for these sports that can be easily stored adjacent to the courts.

What is the significant difference between a badminton and pickleball court?

 There are two key differences between pickleball and badminton courts:

  • As compared to badminton, pickleball has a lower net.
  • Pickleball’s no-volley zone is 7 feet away from the net.

Is Badminton or Pickleball easier to play?

Compared to badminton, pickleball is easier to play. Unlike badminton, which requires the ball to hit the ground in order to score, pickleball requires that the ball hit the ground in order to score.

What are the similarities between pickleball and badminton?

There are some differences between pickleball and badminton. The game is played on a badminton-sized court similar to a tennis net, combining ping-pong, badminton, and tennis.

Is there a rule for playing badminton?

 Badminton games are played according to the following rules:

  • In badminton, a match is worth 21 points.
  • Points are added to the overall score when a player wins a rally.
  • When 20 points are tied, whoever gains a 2-point lead wins.
  • At 29-all, the team that scores the 30th point wins.
  • In the next round, the winner or pair serves first.

What is the similarity between pickleball and badminton in terms of serving?

Servants in pickleball games must serve behind the baseline. A badminton service box works similarly to a pickleball service box.

How high should the pickleball net be?

At the sidelines and 34 inches from the middle, the pickleball net should be 36 inches high.

Can you tell me what the dimensions of a badminton court are?

There are 13.4m of length and 6.1m of width on the badminton court. There are 40mm wide white or yellow lines on the badminton court that can easily be distinguished.

Is badminton a fat-burning sport?

This game works with both aerobic and anaerobic systems, so it is considered to be one of the most effective games for burning fat. As well as building muscles, badminton is a good sport.

Is it possible to lift the foot on a serve in badminton?

Every time the shuttle strikes the floor, the player’s feet must touch it. Until or unless the service is hit, players cannot move or lift their feet.

Are there any cons to playing badminton?

Some players might find badminton to be an intense game. Most people consider it an intense exercise because of its fast-paced nature. As a player, you will feel tension and pressure on your body when you play badminton.

Is it possible to play badminton on a daily basis?

As a result of badminton, muscles are toned and the player’s physique is maintained. If a player wants to lose belly fat, he or she should play badminton for half an hour every day.

What is the reason for the thin physique of badminton players?

Although some badminton players may have muscle mass, they are usually skinny and do not have a large body mass. Speed is the key to badminton, not power.

Can a player play badminton on a tennis court?

A tennis court can easily be converted into a badminton court with a few modifications. It is the main objective of badminton to hit the shuttlecock and drive it without moving offline.

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