Pickleball is a simple paddle sport that blends tennis, badminton, and table tennis on a small court, making it easy to pick up. This covers the basic rules, the serve, and the key non-volley zone so you can play your first game.
What you'll need
- A pickleball paddle
- A perforated pickleball
- A court with a net
- Comfortable shoes
Step by step
- Learn the courtThe court is 20 by 44 feet with a net in the middle. The area seven feet from the net on each side is the non-volley zone, often called the kitchen.
- Serve underhandStand behind the baseline and hit the ball underhand, contacting it below your waist, diagonally into the opponent's service box. The serve must clear the kitchen.
- Follow the two-bounce ruleThe ball must bounce once on each side before either team can volley. So the return of serve must bounce, and the serving side's next shot must bounce too.
- Rally and volleyAfter those two bounces, you can hit the ball in the air, but never while standing in the kitchen. Step out of the non-volley zone before volleying.
- Score pointsOnly the serving side scores. If you win the rally on your serve you get a point; if you lose it, the serve passes to the other side.
- Play to the targetGames are usually played to 11 points and you must win by two. Call the score before each serve so both sides stay in sync.
Handy tips
- Keep your paddle up and in front of you so you are ready to react at the fast net exchanges.
- A soft shot that drops into the opponent's kitchen, called a dink, is a strong tool to slow the point down.
- Doubles is the most common format and a friendly way to learn the flow of the game.
FAQ
What is the kitchen in pickleball?
The kitchen is the non-volley zone, a seven-foot area on each side of the net. You cannot hit the ball out of the air while standing inside it.
What is the two-bounce rule?
After the serve, the ball must bounce once on each side before volleys are allowed. This keeps the serving team from rushing the net immediately.
How do you score in pickleball?
Only the serving side can score a point. Games typically go to 11 points, and you must win by a margin of two.