The Basics: How to Play Pickleball

Pickleball is an incredibly accessible sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Played on a badminton-sized court with a modified tennis net, the game uses solid paddles and a plastic ball with holes (similar to a wiffle ball). It can be played as singles or doubles, though doubles is the most common format. The beauty of pickleball lies in its simplicity; beginners can learn the basics in minutes, yet the game offers enough depth and strategy to keep competitive athletes engaged for a lifetime.

The game begins with an underhand serve, struck diagonally crosscourt to the opponent’s service zone. Unlike tennis, the serve must be hit below the waist and cannot be volleyed in the air. A unique feature of pickleball is the “Double Bounce Rule,” which dictates that the ball must bounce once on each side before players are allowed to volley it out of the air. This rule extends rallies and prevents players from charging the net immediately, leveling the playing field for athletes of all speeds.

Once the ball has bounced on both sides, the “kitchen” becomes a critical factor. This is the non-volley zone, a 7-foot area extending from the net on both sides. Players cannot step into this zone to hit a volley out of the air; however, they may enter it to play a ball that has bounced. Strategy shifts to “dinking”—soft shots that land in the opponent’s kitchen—waiting for an opportunity to attack a high ball. Games are typically played to 11 points, and you must win by two, with scoring reserved only for the serving team.