Learn to Play Pickleball

Pickleball is a fun, social, and friendly sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It's easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a fast-paced, competitive game.

What You Need to Get Started

The Paddle

Smaller than a tennis racquet but larger than a ping-pong paddle. Modern paddles are made of lightweight composite materials.

The Ball

A plastic ball with holes, similar to a wiffle ball. Indoor balls have fewer, larger holes; outdoor balls have more, smaller holes.

The Court

A badminton-sized court (20' x 44') with a modified tennis net (36" at sides, 34" at center).

Proper Shoes

Court shoes with good lateral support are essential to prevent injury. Running shoes are not recommended.

The Basics of the Game

Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles, but doubles is the most common format. The same court dimensions are used for both.

  • The Serve: The game begins with an underhand serve. The ball is served diagonally cross-court to the opponent's service court.
  • The Return: The receiver returns the serve. A key rule here is the "Two-Bounce Rule" – the ball must bounce once on each side before it can be volleyed.
  • The Rally: After the ball has bounced once on each side, players can either volley the ball (hit it in the air) or play it off the bounce (groundstroke).
  • Winning a Point: Points are scored only by the serving team. Games are typically played to 11 points, win by 2.

The "Kitchen" (Non-Volley Zone)

A unique feature of pickleball is the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ), commonly known as "The Kitchen." This is the 7-foot area on both sides of the net.

The Rule: You cannot step into the kitchen and volley the ball (hit it out of the air). You can only enter the kitchen to hit a ball that has already bounced. This prevents players from standing right at the net and smashing everything.

Ready to hit the court?

Now that you know the basics, the best way to learn is to play! Find a court near you or check out the official rules for more details.

Find a CourtRead Official Rules