Pickleball for Beginners

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It’s played on a badminton-sized court, with a perforated plastic ball (wiffle ball) and solid paddles generally made from composite materials. It's easy to learn (hard to master 😆), and most players will be able to play a game within an hour. 

To play pickleball, two or four players hit a perforated ball over a net using paddles. The ball is served diagonally across the court, and players try to rally the ball back and forth over the net, similar to tennis. Points are scored by the serving team when a player on the opposing team commits a fault, e.g., unable to return the ball, hits it out of bounds, or commits another fault (like hitting it out of the air in the non-volley zone, aka "the kitchen").

Pickleball has a low barrier to entry and is easier to learn than tennis. Most people can rally (hit the ball back and forth) and play a game within an hour.

Points are scored only by the serving team. Games are typically played to 11 points, and you must win by 2. Many players find doubles scoring challenging to learn (we did too 🤣). Here's a link to a video on scoring. 

Check local community centers, gyms, or apps like Places2Play or PlayTime Scheduler to find nearby courts and meet other players. Or get our free beginner guide to get all the resources you need.

Comfortable athletic clothing and court shoes. Avoid running shoes as they don’t provide the lateral support needed for quick side-to-side movement. Click here to learn more about type of shoe to help you play your best and avoid injury. 

We highly recommend wearing some type of protective lens. The pickleball can travel fast and glasses protect the eye against injury.

Pickleball can be played as singles (1 vs. 1) or doubles (2 vs. 2), though doubles is more common.

You need a pickleball paddle, a pickleball (indoor or outdoor), and appropriate court shoes with good lateral support. Often, you can borrow a paddle from someone at the courts. Make sure to wear appropriate shoes that support lateral movement. Running or walking shoes are built for forward movement, not the lateral movement you'll find in pickleball. 

Not at all. Pickleball is inclusive and adaptable to different skill levels and physical abilities, making it especially popular among older adults and new athletes. It's one of the few sports where players of all ages can play together. 

Pickleball is played on a smaller (badminton sized) court than tennis and with a lower net. The ball used in pickleball is made of lightweight plastic, making it slower and easier to control than a tennis ball. Pickleball is also played with solid paddles instead of strung rackets. In pickleball, the ball is served underhand, whereas tennis requires an overhand serve.

The Non-Volley Zone, or what many players call "the kitchen," is the 7-foot area on either side of the net where volleying (hitting the ball out of the air) is not allowed. You must let the ball bounce before hitting it while inside the NVZ or touching the line.

The Two Bounce rule establishes distinct strategies for the serve and return sides. After the serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce once, and then the serving team must also let it bounce before hitting the next shot. After these two bounces, both teams can volley or play off the bounce.

Serves must be made diagonally cross-court and land beyond the non-volley zone. A ball that touches the non-volley zone line is considered out. There are two types of serves in pickleball, the volley serve and the drop serve. If you'd like to learn more about the serve, click this link. 

First, stand behind the baseline at the back of the court and inside an imaginary extension of both the side and center lines. 

For a volley serve:

1. The server’s arm must be moving in an upward arc at the time the ball is struck with the paddle.
2. The highest point of the paddle head must not be above the highest part of the wrist (where the wrist joint bends) when the paddle strikes the ball.
3. Contact with the ball must not be made above the waist.

For a Drop Serve:

Just simply drop (release the ball) and execute the shot. The paddle motion does not have to follow the above rules. Click here to get a definitive guide on pickleball serve rules. https://betterpickleball.com/everything-to-know-about-pickleball-serve-rules/

Yes, but not while standing in or touching the non-volley zone, aka - the kitchen. This is called a volley, and it's allowed as long as you respect the non-volley zone.

A fault is any rule violation that ends a rally. Examples include hitting the ball out of bounds, into the net, volleying in the non-volley zone (kitchen), or letting the ball bounce more than one time. 

Outdoor balls have smaller holes (typically 42 holes) and are heavier to resist wind. Indoor balls are lighter with larger holes (typically 26 holes) for better control on smooth surfaces.

A pickleball that hits the line is considered in, except on the serve. If a serve hits the non-volley zone line it is considered out. If you are ever in doubt as to whether the ball is in or out, the ball is in. Call the lines the best you can, but let those close calls go in favor of your opponent. 

This is one of, if not the most asked questions within pickleball. There are many pickleball paddle options available and you want the best! Unfortunately, this is not a one-word answer, but to sum up our thoughts, the most important factor in choosing the right pickleball paddle is YOU. Choose a paddle that feels good in your hand and when you swing.  As you improve, you'll get a better idea of what kind of paddle you need.

When starting out most players improve by playing more but the correct guidance will help you to improve faster. You might find lessons at your local courts, YMCA, or Rec Center. Thousands of pickleball players just like you have learned online with Better Pickleball. Our Beginner Course teaches you the shots and strategies new players need to experience success.