Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and it’s easy to see why! It’s fun, easy to learn, and great for players of all ages and skill levels. Whether you're looking for a new hobby, a fun way to stay active, or a competitive sport, pickleball has something for everyone.
If you’re new to the game, this beginner’s guide will cover everything you need to know to start playing today, including:
✅ What is pickleball?
✅ The basic rules & court setup
✅ Essential gear & equipment
✅ How to serve, rally, and score
✅ Beginner-friendly strategies to improve your game
By the end of this guide, you’ll be ready to hit the court with confidence and start having fun with pickleball!
1. What is Pickleball?
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It’s played on a smaller court (the size of a badminton court) with a paddle and a plastic ball that has holes (similar to a wiffle ball).
🏓 Why is Pickleball So Popular?
✔️ Easy to Learn – New players can pick up the basics in minutes.
✔️ Great for All Ages – Low-impact and social, making it perfect for kids, adults, and seniors.
✔️ Fast-Paced & Fun – The small court size keeps the action going.
✔️ Perfect for Singles & Doubles – Play one-on-one or team up with a partner.
✔️ Low Cost to Start – All you need is a paddle, ball, and a court!
📌 Fun Fact: Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by three dads looking for a fun game to play with their families.
2. Pickleball Court & Setup
Before you start playing, it helps to understand the court layout. A pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long (the same size for singles and doubles).
🏓 Pickleball Court Areas
✅ Baseline – The back boundary where serves must be made.
✅ Sidelines – The edges of the court that define in/out.
✅ Service Boxes – The two areas where serves must land.
✅ Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen) – A 7-foot zone near the net where players cannot volley the ball.
✅ Net Height – 36 inches at the sides, 34 inches in the middle.
📌 Pro Tip: The kitchen rule is unique to pickleball! You can’t volley the ball (hit it before it bounces) while standing inside this zone.
3. Essential Pickleball Gear & Equipment
To start playing pickleball, you’ll need some basic equipment.
🏓 Pickleball Paddle
✔️ Larger than a ping-pong paddle, smaller than a tennis racket.
✔️ Made from wood, composite, or graphite.
✔️ Choose a paddle that fits your hand comfortably and isn’t too heavy.
🏓 Pickleball Ball
✔️ Made of plastic with holes, similar to a wiffle ball.
✔️ Indoor balls are lighter with larger holes; outdoor balls are heavier with smaller holes.
🏓 Comfortable Pickleball Clothing
✔️ Wear moisture-wicking shirts to stay cool.
✔️ Pick athletic shoes with good traction.
✔️ Sunglasses & hats for outdoor play.
👕 Stay Cool on the Court!
A 50/50 DryBlend pickleball t-shirt keeps you comfortable, while the 100% Polyester Mesh Pickleball t-shirt provides ultimate sweat control.
🥤 Stay Hydrated!
A pickleball tumbler keeps your drinks cold and refreshing during long matches.
📌 Pro Tip: Comfortable gear helps you stay focused on the game instead of worrying about sweat or discomfort.
4. How to Play Pickleball: Basic Rules & Gameplay
Now that you have the gear, let’s talk about how to play!
🏓 The Serve
✔️ Underhand only – The paddle must be below your waist.
✔️ Diagonal serve – The ball must land in the opposite service box.
✔️ One attempt per serve (unless the ball clips the net and lands in).
🏓 The Double Bounce Rule
One of the most important pickleball rules!
✅ The ball must bounce once on each side before players can volley it.
✅ After the serve and return, players can hit the ball in the air or let it bounce.
📌 Pro Tip: This rule prevents rushing the net too early and keeps rallies fair.
🏓 Scoring in Pickleball
✅ Games are played to 11 points (win by 2).
✅ Only the serving team can score points.
✅ In doubles play, both teammates get a chance to serve before turning over the ball.
💡 Example Score Call: 4-2-1 (Serving team has 4 points, the opponents have 2, and the first server is serving).
🏓 Kitchen Rules (Non-Volley Zone)
❌ You cannot volley (hit the ball before it bounces) while inside the kitchen.
❌ Your foot cannot touch the kitchen line during a volley.
✅ You can step into the kitchen to hit the ball after it bounces.
📌 Pro Tip: Many beginner players make kitchen faults. Stay just behind the kitchen line for better positioning!
5. Beginner-Friendly Pickleball Strategies
Now that you know the rules, let’s go over some simple strategies to help you win more points!
🏓 Strategy #1: Get to the Kitchen Line
✅ After the serve, move toward the kitchen line (but don’t step in!).
✅ Most points are won at the net, not from the baseline.
🏓 Strategy #2: Use Dinks Instead of Power Shots
✅ A dink is a soft shot that lands in the kitchen, making it hard to attack.
✅ Instead of trying to smash every ball, learn how to control dinks.
🏓 Strategy #3: Aim for Your Opponent’s Feet
✅ Hitting low shots forces your opponent to hit up, giving you an advantage.
✅ Aim for their backhand—most players struggle with it!
🏓 Strategy #4: Keep Your Serves Deep
✅ A deep serve pushes your opponent further back, making it harder for them to attack.
✅ Mix up your serves to keep them guessing.
6. Finding Pickleball Courts & Where to Play
Pickleball is growing fast, and courts are popping up everywhere!
🏓 How to Find a Court Near You
✔️ Check local parks & recreation centers.
✔️ Use the USA Pickleball Places 2 Play tool.
✔️ Join Facebook pickleball groups or use the Pickleball Finder app.
📌 Pro Tip: If you can’t find a court, you can set up a temporary one on a tennis court using chalk or court tape!
7. Get Started & Have Fun!
Now that you know the basics of pickleball, you’re ready to get out there and play!
🏓 Pickleball is easy to learn but requires strategy to master.
🏓 The kitchen rule and double bounce rule make the game unique.
🏓 Stay comfortable with moisture-wicking shirts and the right gear.
🏓 Practice your dinks, serves, and net play to improve quickly.
Grab a paddle, find a court, and start having fun with pickleball today!
