Are you ready to join the craze but are in a pickle about how to play pickleball? Don’t worry—you’re not alone! Whether you’re a newbie or you’ve played enough to know when to stay out of the kitchen, we have your back.
Learning how to play pickleball can be a bit intimidating when your friends are already serving up smashes and slicing dinks like pros. But here’s the thing—pickleball is supposed to be fun. So, let’s break it down, keep it simple, and get you up to speed so you can confidently step onto the court, hold your own, and maybe even win a few bragging rights. Let’s dive into the pickleball basics—no experience (or pickles) required!
How to Play Pickleball – Pickle What?
Pickleball might have a strange name, but it’s one seriously fun game! It all started in 1965 when three dads on Bainbridge Island, Washington, created the game to entertain their bored kids. Armed with some ping-pong paddles, a perforated plastic ball, and a badminton net, they invented a sport that quickly caught on.
Fast forward to today, and pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports across the globe, loved by everyone from teenagers to retirees. It’s easy to see why—pickleball is a blend of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, but with a smaller court, making it perfect for players of all ages and skill levels.
All you need to join the fun is a pickleball paddle (a little larger than a ping-pong paddle), a pickleball ball (it looks like a Wiffle ball), and a pickleball court. With its quick learning curve, relatively low cost, and social vibe, pickleball’s appeal is as infectious as its name. So, grab a paddle and get ready to dink, drive, and laugh your way through the game!
How to Play Pickleball – The Basics
All About the Court
A pickleball court is a cozy 20 feet wide by 44 feet long—the same size as a badminton court. Right in the middle, you’ve got a net that’s 36 inches high at the edges and dips to 34 inches in the center, like a little pickleball smile. Each side of the court features the infamous non-volley zone (or NVZ for short, but let’s be real, we all call it the kitchen), which stretches 7 feet from each side of the net. The rest of the court is split into right and left service boxes, where all the serving magic happens. Thanks to its smaller size than a tennis court, pickleball brings the
action up close and personal—perfect for those who’d rather outsmart their opponent than sprint around. It’s all about quick reflexes, smart shots, and, most importantly—having a blast.
Ready, Set, Serve!
Serving in pickleball has its own set of rules to keep things fair and more fun! There are two kinds of serves: the drop serve and the volley serve. If you’re just starting out, the drop serve is your go-to; simply let the ball bounce before hitting it over the net. But if you’re feeling fancy, try the volley serve, where you hit the ball straight out of the air. It takes a bit more finesse, but it’s all part of the challenge. No matter which serve you choose, make sure to send that ball diagonally across the court, clearing the non-volley zone, to score a valid serve.
Remembering whose serve it is and where they should serve from can be a bit confusing, but stick with us, we’ll get you straightened out!
The rally’s first serve starts on the court’s right-hand side. If the server’s side wins the rally, they get a point, and the server and their partner switch sides and continue serving until they lose a rally.
Scoring System
Pickleball uses a unique scoring system that might take some getting used to, especially if you’re familiar with other racket sports. Pickleball follows a side-out scoring format, meaning you can only score points when serving. Games are typically played to 11 points, and you must win by at least 2 points.
Each time you win a rally while serving, you earn a point and continue serving, switching service courts after each point. In doubles play, both teammates get a chance to serve before the serve sides out to the opposing team. Side-out scoring adds a strategic challenge to winning your serve and maximizing each scoring opportunity.
The server will call out the score before they serve. In doubles pickleball, there are three numbers called out: the serving team’s score, the receiving team’s score, and the server number (1 or 2). You’ll catch on after a few games.
Once you master the scoring system, you’ll see why pickleball is an excellent workout for your brain!
Let Serves and Faults
Faults are like little hiccups interrupting the game, but they keep things interesting (if it’s your opponent’s fault)! A fault happens if you hit the ball out of bounds, into the net, or if it bounces more than once on your side. And watch your feet—if you step into the non-volley zone while hitting a volley, that’s another fault.
When your team loses a rally, your teammate takes over, serving following the same sequence as before until your team loses another rally. At that point, the serve switches (sides out) to the opposing team. An exception to both partners getting to serve before service rotates to the opponents’ side is during the first rally of the game when only one teammate gets to
Serving has its own set of blunders: if your serve doesn’t clear the kitchen line or sails out of bounds, it’s a fault. To keep things interesting, if your serve clips the top of the net but still lands in the correct service box, it’s a live ball and should be played. So, embrace those faults and let serves—they add a dash of drama to every match!
Game Format
The classic game format is best of three games to 11 points, where you must win by at least two points. If you’re up for a longer showdown, there’s the best of three games to 15 points—perfect for those who want a bit more pickleball action. And sometimes, just to shake things up, you might play a single game to 21 points. But remember, no matter the format, you always have to win by two points. So, whether you’re playing a quick match or a marathon rally, there’s always room for a comeback, a challenge, and a whole lot of fun!
Strategy is King
Pickleball is a game of angles, positioning, and quick thinking. To start, always be mindful of where you are on the court. If you’re playing at the net, make sure to stay light on your feet, ready to react to anything that comes your way. Move side to side to adjust to your opponent’s shots. Doubles pickleball emphasizes communication and teamwork.
When it comes to shot selection, variety is key. Use a combination of dinks, drives, and drops to keep your opponent guessing. And don’t forget to mix up your shots in terms of depth and angle—hitting to the corners or making them stretch can force errors and open up the court for easy winners.
Stamina and strategy go hand-in-hand when it comes to pickleball. Strategy is just as important as physical endurance. Watch your opponent carefully and see if they have any weaknesses—maybe they’re slow to move side-to-side or struggle with low balls. Use this information to adjust your game plan and keep them on their toes. A combination of smart shot selection and physical conditioning will keep you winning points and outlasting your opponent!
Wrap-Up: How to Play Pickleball
Learning how to play pickleball is all about mastering the basics, from the rules of serving to finding your groove with positioning and footwork. Mix in a little strategy, stamina, and a lot of fun; you’ve got the recipe for a great game! So, next time you’re on the court, consider these tips and see how your game improves. With practice, you’ll be serving up victories!
Tell us how you got started playing pickleball in the comments below!
FAQ – How to Play Pickleball
What is pickleball and how to play pickleball?
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It is played on a court with a net, where players serve the ball diagonally and rally back and forth. The game can be played as singles or doubles, and points are scored when the opposing team fails to return the ball within the court boundaries or commits a fault.
What equipment do I need to start playing pickleball?
So, how to play pickleball, you need a paddle, a perforated plastic ball, and access to a pickleball court. Additionally, wearing comfortable athletic shoes and clothing is recommended for optimal performance.
How does scoring work in pickleball?
In pickleball, only the serving team can score points. A game is typically played to 11 points, and a team must win by at least 2 points. The score is announced as three numbers: the serving team’s score, the receiving team’s score, and which server is serving.
What are the basic rules of serving in pickleball?
To serve in pickleball, stand behind the baseline and hit the ball underhand diagonally into the opponent’s service area. The serve must clear the net and cannot land in the non-volley zone (the kitchen). Players must also keep one foot behind the baseline until after making contact with the ball.
What is the double bounce rule in pickleball?
The double bounce rule states that after the serve, the ball must bounce once on each side before players can hit it out of the air (volley). This means that the receiving team must let the serve bounce before returning it, and then the serving team must let their return bounce before they can volley it back.