How to Play Pickleball
If you’re new to pickleball, just know it’s going to be one of the most fun sports you learn how to play. It’s engaging and a unique mix of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong! It’s the fastest growing sport in the U.S. for good reason. We’ll walk you through the basics if you’re unfamiliar with the game.
Gear
You'll need a pickleball paddle, a plastic pickleball, a pickleball court (or a flat surface with a net), and comfy athletic shoes for quick movement. Comfortable sportswear is recommended.
Purchase Beginner Pickleball Paddles
For beginner paddles, we recommend a paddle from our Watermelon Beginner Collection. The reason why they’re ideal for beginners is because they’re lightweight. They only weigh 7 ounces, making them a great fit for players getting used to serving. Plus, they have a fiberglass surface that offers a nice balance of easy control and quality.
The Basics
Now, let’s cover the basics. The game is played on a court that looks similar to a tennis court. They aren’t the same though. For starters, tennis courts are much larger and their nets are higher. A pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, the same size as a doubles badminton court, and the net is 36 inches at the posts and 34 inches in the middle. You can play pickleball on a tennis court as well, just follow our linked guide.
Serving
You’ll need to begin the game with a serve. The server has to serve the ball underhand. An underhand is the complete opposite of an overhand tennis serve. A pickleball serve is more controlled. The server must keep the paddle below the waist when serving. The ball also has to be hit in an upward motion. You have two options, let the ball drop and bounce on the court before hitting or hit directly from the air. Just note that the ball has to land in the opponent's diagonal service court.
Rules
There’s a double-bounce rule, meaning that the ball has to bounce on each side before you can volley (hit it in the air). So, if you serve, the receiver needs to let it bounce, then you’ll let it bounce, then you can begin rallying!
A major rule to remember is that there’s a non-volley zone known as the kitchen. It’s a 7-foot zone and you can’t hit the ball in the air while standing in the kitchen. If the ball has already bounced in the kitchen then you may hit it.
If the ball lands outside the lines, it’s out. The boundary lines are in, so if the ball touches a line, it's good.
USA Pickleball does update their rules yearly, so follow their official X account for news!
Scoring
Only the serving team can score points. Games go to 11 points, and you must win by 2. In doubles, both players get a chance to serve before the other team takes over.
Winning
You win a game by reaching 11 points first, but you have to be ahead by at least 2 points (so you might play to 12, 13, etc.).
Etiquette
If you’re a new player, you can let your opponent know. If you’re both new then you’ll definitely understand errors on both sides. That’s totally fine! Be friendly and respectful. Don’t interrupt games, and wait for your turn to play. Call out your score before serving and have fun.
We recommend this video for visual learners. It’s helpful to watch others play to get a feel for the game as well!
Overtime, you’ll get to experiment more with serving. Practice makes perfect.
