Try padel, platform tennis, pop tennis, badminton, tennis, racquetball, and squash.
If you love the pace and fun of pickleball, you’ll want more games that feel the same. As a coach and weekend tournament player, I’ve tested many sports similar to pickleball. In this guide, I’ll break down what matches the feel, the court, the equipment, and the strategy. You’ll learn how sports similar to pickleball stack up, which one fits your style, and how to switch fast without losing your edge.
What makes a sport “similar to pickleball”?
Sports similar to pickleball share a few core traits. They use paddles or rackets, a net, and a small court. They reward control, quick feet, and smart placement more than raw power. They are easy to start and fun in doubles.
Key overlap areas to look for:
- Court size and net height that support quick rallies
- Short swings and compact technique
- Simple scoring that keeps play moving
- Light gear that reduces strain on joints
I tell new players to look for a sport where you can dink, volley, or block at the net. That is the pickleball feel. Sports similar to pickleball shine when you can win points with touch, not just speed.
Top sports similar to pickleball
Below are the best sports similar to pickleball, ranked by feel, flow, and skill crossover. I’ve played each of these and coached players who moved between them.
Padel
Padel blends tennis tactics with a smaller court and glass walls. You use a perforated paddle and a low-compression ball. Doubles is the norm, and points build through placement.
Why it feels close:
- Short swings and net play matter a lot
- Quick teamwork and angled shots win
- Easy on the body due to smaller court
Tip from experience: Learn the wall bounce early. Let the ball come to you, then push it deep with calm hands.
Platform tennis
Platform tennis uses a heated, raised court with screens. The gritty ball bites the strings and rewards slice. It is big in cold climates.
Why it feels close:
- Compact strokes and fast volleys
- Great for doubles chemistry
- Lots of touch, lobs, and screens
Pro move: Chip low to the feet, then close the net. Think soft to set up hard.
Pop tennis
Pop tennis (often called paddle tennis) uses a paddle and a depressurized tennis ball on a short court. The bounce is lower, so you must bend and lift.
Why it feels close:
- Paddles, compact swings, and smart angles
- Doubles games are fast and social
- Lower-impact rallies
Gear note: A soft paddle helps with control and arm comfort.
Tennis
Tennis is the big cousin. The court is larger and the ball is faster, but the core tactics translate well.
Why it feels close:
- Net play, touch volleys, and lobs
- Spin and placement win points
- Footwork drills carry over
If you come from tennis to pickleball, shorten the swing and aim lower. If you go the other way, add more topspin and depth.
Badminton
Badminton is a feather-light duel with a shuttle. Reaction time and soft hands decide many points.
Why it feels close:
- Net kills and soft drops
- Split steps and quick recovery
– Doubles teamwork and target zones
Training hack: Do 60-second shadow footwork sets. You will feel faster on any court.
Table tennis
Table tennis looks small but plays big. You learn spin control, hand speed, and early contact.
Why it feels close:
- Rapid hands and compact strokes
- Spin reads improve your returns
- Early ball contact pays off
Cross-training drill: Alternate forehand and backhand blocks for 2 minutes. Then volley in pickleball. Your wall blocks will feel easy.
Racquetball
Racquetball is a wall game with eye-popping speed. It helps reaction time and court coverage.
Why it feels close:
- Explosive first step and angles
- Anticipation and patterns
- Touch drops near the front wall
Guard your arm. Use a smooth swing to avoid overuse.
Squash
Squash is chess with a ball. It teaches economy of motion and tight lines.
Why it feels close:
- Control over power
- Patience in rallies
- Reading patterns under pressure
Carryover: Learn to volley off-balance. Your kitchen play in pickleball will jump.
Beach tennis
Beach tennis uses a paddle or racket on sand with a net. The sand lowers joint load and builds leg strength.
Why it feels close:
- Dinks, lobs, and sharp angles
- Doubles tactics and calls
- Great conditioning without pounding
Pro tip: Focus on split steps on sand. You will float on hard courts after.
These are the core sports similar to pickleball. Each gives you a new skill that loops back to your main game. I cycle them in off-season to stay sharp and avoid burnout.
Equipment and court comparison
The right gear keeps the feel close when you move between sports similar to pickleball.
Courts and nets:
- Pickleball: 20 by 44 feet, low net
- Padel: Enclosed court with glass walls, lower net than tennis
- Platform tennis: Small raised court with screens
- Pop tennis: Shorter tennis-style court
- Tennis: Full court, higher net
- Badminton: Small court, high net
- Table tennis: Table and net, tight space
- Racquetball and squash: Indoor wall courts
Paddles and balls:
- Pickleball: Solid paddle, perforated plastic ball
- Padel: Solid perforated paddle, pressure ball
- Pop tennis: Solid paddle, low-pressure ball
- Tennis: Strung racket, pressurized ball
- Badminton: Strung racket, shuttle
- Table tennis: Wood blade with rubber, celluloid or plastic ball
- Racquetball and squash: Strung rackets, rubber balls
What to watch for:
- Handle size: Match your pickleball grip to prevent elbow pain
- Weight: Go lighter if you feel wrist or shoulder strain
- Bounce: Lower bounce means you must bend and lift more
I test paddles by doing 50 soft kitchen dinks. If my wrist aches, I switch. That simple check has saved my season more than once.
Skill transfer: how your pickleball strengths carry over
If you are eyeing sports similar to pickleball, use your best skills as anchors.
Carryover wins:
- Dinks become drop shots in padel and pop tennis
- Third-shot drops become soft serves and returns in tennis
- Kitchen footwork becomes net pressure in badminton
- Hand battles at the net become quick blocks in table tennis
Three simple drills:
- Wall volleys for 3 minutes with no backswing
- Split step on every hit, count out loud to lock rhythm
- Target zones: aim deep middle, then angle wide, repeat 10 times
These drills keep your contact early and your swing short. That is the secret sauce in all sports similar to pickleball.
How to choose the best sport for your style
Pick from sports similar to pickleball by mood, body, and goals.
If you want low impact:
- Pick pop tennis, padel, or beach tennis
- Use soft balls or lower compression options
If you love fast hands:
- Try table tennis, badminton, or platform tennis
If you want a cardio push:
- Go squash or racquetball
If you like tactics and teamwork:
- Choose padel or platform tennis for set plays
My rule of thumb: choose a sport that keeps you on court pain-free for 90 minutes. Fun plus flow beats any label.
Beginner roadmap for crossover players
Use this 30-day plan to move into sports similar to pickleball with less stress.
Week 1: Learn the court and rules
- Walk the lines and serve boxes
- Play service and return games to learn placement
Week 2: Master contact and control
- Do 100 soft hits near the net
- Add slow rallies with a friend
Week 3: Add movement and tactics
- Practice lobs, drops, and blocks
- Drill cross-court, then down the line
Week 4: Game polish
- Play short sets to 6 points
- Review 3 key patterns that work for you
Gear checklist:
- Correct shoes for the surface
- A light paddle or racket with the right grip size
- Two types of balls for warm and cool weather
- Wrist support or overgrip if you feel strain
Common mistakes to avoid
I see the same errors when players try sports similar to pickleball.
Avoid these traps:
- Big backswings that ruin timing
- Flat feet at the net with no split step
- Overhitting winners instead of building points
- Wrong grip size that leads to elbow pain
Quick fixes:
- Keep the paddle out front where you can see it
- Count a quiet “split” before every rival hit
- Aim deep middle first, then angle
Injury prevention and recovery tips
Sports similar to pickleball can be kind to your joints if you plan ahead.
Do this before play:
- Warm up 5 minutes of light footwork
- 2 sets of 10 shoulder external rotations
- 30 seconds of calf and Achilles mobility
Do this after play:
- Gentle forearm and shoulder stretches
- Ice if you feel hot spots
- Replace grips when they get slick
Evidence suggests short, regular strength work lowers overuse risk. Two days a week can help a lot. Strong glutes and rotator cuffs support better movement in every paddle sport.
Where to play and find your crew
Finding courts and leagues makes it easy to try sports similar to pickleball.
How to start fast:
- Search for local padel, platform tennis, or pop tennis clubs
- Ask tennis centers for short-court or cardio sessions
- Join meetup groups for beginner nights
- Check community centers for indoor racquetball or squash
Social tip: Bring two extra paddles. Invite sidelines players for a quick game to 7. That is how I built my weekend group in one month.
Frequently Asked Questions of sports similar to pickleball
What are the closest sports similar to pickleball in feel and rules?
Padel, platform tennis, and pop tennis feel the closest. They use paddles, smaller courts, and reward touch and teamwork.
Which sport is easiest for a pickleball player to learn first?
Pop tennis or padel are easiest. The paddles and court size make the switch simple and low stress.
Are sports similar to pickleball easier on the joints than tennis?
Many are, especially pop tennis and padel. Smaller courts and softer balls reduce strain on knees and shoulders.
What gear should I buy first when trying a new paddle sport?
Start with a light paddle or racket and the right grip size. Add court-specific shoes to protect your ankles and knees.
Can playing other paddle sports improve my pickleball game?
Yes, a lot. Table tennis improves hand speed, badminton sharpens net play, and padel grows your angles and teamwork.
How do I avoid tennis elbow when switching sports?
Use the right grip size and a lighter paddle. Keep swings compact and add weekly forearm strength work.
Conclusion
Sports similar to pickleball open a fun path to better touch, faster feet, and smarter play. Padel, platform tennis, pop tennis, badminton, table tennis, racquetball, squash, and beach tennis each give you a fresh skill you can bring back to the kitchen line. Pick one that fits your body and goals, follow the simple drills, and enjoy the ride.
Ready to test your next court? Try one sport this week, track what felt good, and share your progress. If you found this helpful, subscribe for more guides or drop your questions in the comments.