In this article, I’m breaking down exactly how to play pickleball.
I’m sharing the basic rules and answering common questions such as:
- How to rotate players in and out of the game
- How to keep score in pickleball
- How to avoid common mistakes
I’m also sharing tips for avoiding injuries and examples of proper pickleball etiquette.
If you’re just getting started playing pickleball (or need a quick refresher!), this guide is for you.
In This Article
Is Pickleball Easy To Play?
Yes! One of the primary reasons there are over 4 million active pickleball players in the U.S. is that pickleball is VERY easy to play.
The game is a mix of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong played on a relatively small court.
The simplicity has made it popular with players of all ages and skill levels and especially those looking for a good, low-impact workout.
Getting Started With Pickleball: How to Play the Game
Pickleball is played on a 44’ (L) x 20’ (W) court, with a 36” net that can be played either as singles or as doubles. Getting started is easy because the equipment needs are minimal (pickleball paddle/balls + supportive shoes), and finding players is never a problem.
If you’re new to pickleball, you can sign up for cost-friendly lessons at a local club or grab some friends and learn the basics on your own at a local neighborhood court.
If all else fails, here are three of my favorite pickleball apps for finding someone at your skill level to play with:
It’s also helpful to watch other, more experienced players so you can learn advanced strategies and better understand the game.
You can do this in-person or study clips from the comfort of your own home on YouTube channels like The Dink.
Pickleball Player Rotations
Knowing how to rotate pickleball players in and out of the game answers the age-old question of, “Who’s got next?”
At more official pickleball locations (e.g., tournament hosts, private clubs), the courts will have a “paddle rack.”
Placing your paddle in the paddle rack is akin to placing a stack of quarters on the pool table at a bar. It marks your place in line and establishes a queue of players waiting for the next game.
Typically, when a game ends, all players leave the court and return to the bench to regroup before the next game.
In some cases, there is a color-coded system on the paddle rack, indicating where game-winner(s) and loser(s) should place their paddles.
At more casual pickleball locations, players will create their own rotation process.
In some cases, casual players might reserve a court for a small group of friends and won’t rotate with others at all. They will play a series of games during their allotted time and then leave the court for another group to take their place.
If you’re unfamiliar with a court’s rotation etiquette, just ask someone when you arrive. This fast-growing sport is riddled with friendly pickleball players wanting to help!
Pickleball Rules
Pickleball serving rules
In pickleball, you must serve underhand. Some players bounce the ball on the ground before they hit their serve while others hit the ball directly out of the air.
Either way, these three things need to occur to execute a proper serve:
- The server’s arm must be moving in an upward arc when striking the ball.
- The highest point of the paddle must be below the highest part of the wrist when the ball is struck.
- The ball must land past the 7-foot “Non-Volley Zone” in the front of the court (a.k.a. the Kitchen line).
Unlike tennis, the goal of a pickleball serve is not to score an “ace” (i.e., serve so well the returner is unable to touch the ball with their paddle) — the goal of a pickleball serve is to get the ball safely in play to start the game.
Pickleball Two-Bounce Rule (Double Bounce)
One unique pickleball serving rule you need to understand is the two-bounce rule (previously known as the double-bounce rule). When serving, the two-bounce rule states that each side must let the ball bounce on the ground once before the ball can be hit out of the air (a.k.a. volley).
Said another way, the ball is required to bounce once after the serve is delivered and one more time when the serve is returned (i.e., two bounces).
Two-Bounce Rule Examples
Here is an example of the two-bounce rule executed the RIGHT way:
- I serve the ball to you.
- You let the ball bounce once and return the serve to me.
- I let the ball bounce once and return your shot.
- Game on! No additional bounces are required. We can choose to volley the ball or play it off the bounce (a.k.a. ground stroke).
Here is an example of the two-bounce rule executed the WRONG way:
- I serve the ball to you.
- You hit the ball out of the air back to me (a.k.a. volley).
- Since you didn’t let the ball bounce, I win the rally. 🙂
Here is one more example of the two-bounce rule executed the WRONG way:
- I serve the ball to you.
- You let the ball bounce once and return the serve to me.
- I hit the ball out of the air back to you (a.k.a. volley).
- Since I didn’t let the ball bounce, you win the rally. 🙂
Keeping Up with Pickleball Rule Changes
The game is evolving quickly, meaning rules can change yearly as the game matures. Your best bet is to read the most current rules to stay up on the latest changes.
You can download a free copy of the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook here.
How To Keep Score In Pickleball
Keeping score in pickleball is a bit different than in other sports. Before I explain the nuances, here are three important things to know:
- Pickleball can be played with one-person teams (singles) or two-person teams (doubles).
- Only the serving player or team can score points in pickleball.
- Games are typically played to 11 points, and you must win by 2.
The person serving should always call out the score of the game before they serve to ensure there are no discrepancies.
The format for calling out the score is different for singles and doubles.
Singles Pickleball – Keeping Score
In singles pickleball, the score called out by the server is a two-number sequence. The first number is the server’s score and the second number is the receiver’s score.
For example, let’s say I’m serving and I call out, “five-seven!” This would indicate that I have 5 points and my opponent has 7 points.
Doubles Pickleball – Keeping Score
In doubles pickleball, the reported score is a three-number sequence. And that’s because each player on the two-person team gets the opportunity to serve. In other words, unlike singles, there are two servers on each team.
The first player to serve is referred to as server #1 and the second player is referred to as server #2.
With that it mind, here is an explanation of the three-number sequence called out in doubles pickleball:
- The first number called out is the serving team’s score.
- The second number is the receiving team’s score
- The third number indicates who is serving.
For example, let’s say I’m playing doubles pickleball. My partner is server #1 and I’m server #2.
It’s our team’s turn to serve and my partner calls out, “two-three-one!” This would indicate that our team has two points, our opponents have three points, and my partner is server #1.
My partner serves the ball and alternates serving from each side of the court (right/even and left/odd) until our team commits a fault.
When a fault is committed, it’s my turn to serve.
Before I hit the ball, I call out “two-three-two” indicating that my team has two points, our opponents have three points, and I’m server #2. This lets everyone know that I’m the second server, and it’s the opposing team’s turn to serve if we commit a fault.
Who Serves First in Pickleball?
In doubles pickleball, when you’re facing the net, the person playing on the right/even side of the court is always the first to serve.
When starting a new pickleball game, the initial serving team only gets one opportunity to serve (i.e., they start on serve #2). This balances out the advantage of serving first.
Since the person playing on the right side of the court is always the first server, they are the only person on their team who serves during the first serving sequence of a new doubles game.
Therefore, at the start of the game, the score called out is “zero-zero-two,” indicating the game is starting with server #2. When the initial serving team commits a fault, it’s now the opposing team’s serve. From this point on, each team gets two serving opportunities.
Pickleball Safety
In pickleball, the court is small and there’s no bodily contact involved. For that reason, pickleball is a relatively safe, low-impact sport compared to football, basketball, or tennis.
That said, pickleball injuries are still very prevalent. Here are some common-sense safety precautions to consider:
- Don’t play on wet pickleball courts.
- Know your physical limitations.
- Stretch and warm-up.
- Be sure you have the right equipment and that it’s in good shape.
- Wear court-appropriate shoes.
- Wear protective eyewear when possible.
- Drink plenty of water during and after you play.
- Avoid backpedaling to minimize stumbling and falling.
- Use sunscreen.
Above all else, use common sense!
Pickleball Etiquette
Pickleball is social and competitive but fosters fair play and good sportsmanship.Etiquette is an important part of the pickleball culture, and there are some things you should know before you step on a court.
Pickleball’s official rulebook addresses this in part with the following principles:
- Players should cooperate to resolve any dispute, including a replay of the point when a play is not covered in the official rules.
- In doubles pickleball, each partner is permitted to make line calls.
- All calls on the pickleball court should be made as soon as they happen instead of waiting until the end of a point or after a shot to make the right call.
There are several other universally accepted ways to conduct yourself on a pickleball court properly:
- Introduce yourself to new players.
- Do not cross a court during a point.
- Learn the rules before you play.
- Bring your own balls.
- Call the score loudly when you serve.
- Only players, not spectators, should make the calls.
- Keep your coaching comments to yourself.
- Play with others new to the game and those of all different skill levels.
- Don’t play keep away and avoid hitting to a stronger player when they are paired with a weaker player.
- “Paddle tap” after every game as a way to acknowledge “good game” with your opponents.
What You Need to Start Playing Pickleball
One of the great things about pickleball is the low barrier of entry to the game.After you’ve found a place to play, you don’t need much to get started.
Start by outfitting yourself with a pickleball paddle.There are several types to choose from, so you may need some help getting the shape, weight, and material composition. Expect to spend as little as $50 up to $200 or more for a top-end model.
You’ll also need pickleballs made for indoor or outdoor use.Indoor pickleballs have larger and fewer holes than their outdoor counterparts and tend to be softer and lighter.Outdoor pickleballs have more and smaller holes and tend to be firmer and heavier to maintain a consistent flight path in outdoor conditions.
Pickleball shoes are also essential to prevent injuries.They also vary depending on whether you’re playing indoors or outdoors.Many people also buy pickleball-specific apparel, but you can easily play the game with any clothing that gives you the freedom to move and helps you stay cool on the court.
Best Way To Learn Pickleball
The best way is to step onto a court and just practice hitting the ball back and forth with another player. You can pick up the fundamentals and the feel of what it’s like to volley and play the game quickly.
It won’t take long before you start learning the finer points of the game, including the importance of the “dink” shot or how to factor in “the no-volley zone” or “the kitchen.”
If you want to get into the game on a more competitive level, there is no shortage of pickleball pros who you can take lessons from, as well as access a huge library of instructional videos online.
Where to Learn Pickleball
You won’t have to go far to find a pickleball court and willing players in just about any major metropolitan area in America these days. In many cases, tennis courts are being converted to pickleball courts to accommodate the growing demand for places to play. It’s estimated that there are more than 8,000 pickleball facilities and 30,000 courts across the globe.
Parks and Recreation facilities, senior-living communities, YMCAs, local parks, schools, recreation centers, and gyms are all hopping on the growing demand for courts.
Some people also take it upon themselves to create their own pickleball courts by finding hard surfaces at least 20 feet wide by 44 feet long. Using line kits or plain chalk, anyone can set up a court and a temporary net on any concrete area, gym floor tennis, or basketball court. Like tennis, some players also test play on grass or clay tennis courts.
Pickleball Tips For Beginners
If you’re new to the game, here are some basics to remember.
- The serving player must serve the pickleball underhand or use a drop serve to start a point. The pickleball must travel crosscourt into the opposite serving area. Only the serving team can score a point, and games are usually to 11 or 15 points.
- The serve and the return of the serve must bounce. This is known as the 2 Bounce or 3 Hit Rule. After the serve and return of serve, either team or player may volley the pickleball.
- Understand how the Non-Volley Zone (the Kitchen) affects the game. The Kitchen is the 14-foot area in the middle of the court that extends 7 feet on either side of the pickleball net. You may not hit the pickleball in the air without a bounce while making contact with the Kitchen in any form. This includes standing in the Kitchen or the Kitchen line, dropping your paddle or hat into the Kitchen, or allowing your momentum to carry you into the zone after you hit the pickleball outside the Kitchen.
However, reaching over the Kitchen line above the surface area of the court to hit the pickleball is permitted. You can hit the pickleball in the Kitchen after the pickleball has bounced, and you may generally stand in the Kitchen as long as you are not volleying the pickleball.
You can cross the plane of the pickleball net, but only after you hit the ball. If you cross the net’s plane before hitting the pickleball, you’ve committed a fault and will lose the rally.
Best Pickleball Strategies
The “dink” is an integral part of winning points in pickleball. A dink is just what it sounds like…a soft hit that barely clears the net, forcing an opponent to hit up to return the shot. When the ball pops up, it gives the person who hit the dink a great opportunity to put the ball away and win the point.
Players who migrate over from tennis tend to hover around the back line in pickleball because they want to hit the ball hard. More experienced players know that many points are won and lost by learning how to play a smart game in the Kitchen. This means you must get more comfortable with more strategic placement of shots and wearing your opponents down through longer rallies. Patience is a great skill to have when playing pickleball.
Sometimes, it makes sense to switch hands in a volley. You can switch your pickleball paddle between hands at any time, and you can hit the pickleball with two hands on your paddle.
The best way to pick up pickleball tips is to sit on the sidelines and watch experienced players volley back and forth. You’ll see small things you can incorporate into your game to give you an advantage the next time you step on the court.
Common Pickleball Mistakes
Beginners usually struggle with the 2-Bounce Rule until they get the hang of the game. To repeat, service returns and 3rd shots must be played off of a bounce. And the serving team must serve the ball cross-court to the returning team, and that service must land past the Kitchen.
As of 2021, serves that clip the net and land past the Kitchen line are valid serves. However, any serve that lands in the Kitchen or on the Kitchen line is a fault.
Another common mistake is that players tend to camp out in the Kitchen, putting them at a volley disadvantage. So, the best advice here is to stay out of the Kitchen if you’re not dinking. That’s because you can only take balls out of the air while standing outside the Kitchen. You lose the point if you hit the ball in the air while in the Kitchen. If the ball bounces inside the kitchen, you can move into the kitchen to hit the ball off a bounce.
Players also assume that double hits aren’t allowed. But the truth is that, in some instances, they are. To be a legal double hit, the hit must be (1) unintentional, (2) continuous, (3) a single-direction stroke, and (4) by just one player. Otherwise, the double hit will result in a fault.
