Pickleball at the Park (Thurs)

I've been hearing about pickleball for awhile now, and started checking it out about mid-year 2024. It's fun! Like a less intense version of Tennis, and has a nice social element in between games. I'm thinking it'd be fun to get more into it.

At the first roundabout, I take the first right/west turn and park there, then the pickleball courts are just across on the east side, down in the valley by the basketball courts. I'll typically aim to claim the courts on the south side, as it's closer to the water fountain and restrooms (check the comments, first to arrive usually tells group which court we are on).

These Outdoor Pickleball Courts in this park are free to use, starting with first come first served, and then if ppl start queuing up, the first team to finish a game to 11 swaps with them (I can help you with the queueing system as needed). Due to the popularity of pickleball and the size of the group, we've lately been scattered across multiple courts, dependent on how the queue goes and which courts open up at any given time.

I have 4 carbon fiber (~medium good) paddles, so I have a few extra to share for newcomers, if you'd like to come and just see what pickleball is all about. If you have your own equipment to bring or share.

Requirements: none
Suggested: bring a water bottle, it's important to stay hydrated! But, there's a bathroom and water fountain in the area.
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Tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTvPYdKZqO0

-General rules for reference (I can clarify in person, not too bad once you get it)-------
similar to tennis, with differences:
-first to 11 wins, must win by 2
-only score a point if you win the rally when your team was serving. If you miss, the serve changes
-serve diagonally, behind the line, within the horizontal court lines
-must serve underhand. Either directly from hand, or drop and let it bounce, then hit it underhand
-ball can bounce up to 1 time, before it must be returned. You have one hit to return it
-like Tennis, if the ball hits you, the other team wins that rally
-hitting inner line near kitchen is considered out (if serving), otherwise considered in
-your feet should generally not be on the kitchen line, that is considered being "in" the kitchen
-can't be in the inner area near the net (kitchen), unless ball bounces once first

-double bounce rule: after serving, you must let it bounce once before hitting, for the first two volleys. So serve, opposing team must let it bounce before returning, then the serving team must also let it bounce before returning. (So, letting it bounce at least once on each side after the serve). After the first two bounces, the point the ball is live, and everyone can hit it at anytime (so, it can be hit in the air and does not require a bounce)

-serving order is handled differently. Starting team only gets one serve (starting score call is 0-0-2). Serve starts on the north side, and the person on the right always servers first. After that, each team gets two serves (each teammate getting one serve), before switching to other team. Before serving, three numbers are called out, yourScore - theirScore - numberOfPersonServing(1 or 2 to represent first or second person on the team to be serving).
https://www.pickleheads.com/guides/pickleball-scoring

It sounds confusing, but is not too bad once you get it. The scoring is the trickiest part. We can help you with the specifics as we play. While the official event ends at 8pm, some of us stay longer, and sometimes up until park closes at 10pm.

Courts usually start thinning out around 7:00pm-7:30pm, before then, it can be more populated. After each game, take a glance at the queue and see if it's empty. If it is, you can play another round. If people are waiting, the team should go back to the waiting area and let ppl know that a court has opened up.