How Do You Play Pickleball: Complete Beginner’s Guide

Are you wondering how do you play pickleball? As someone who’s been in the paddle business since 2021, I’ve watched thousands of players discover this amazing sport. Moreover, I’ve seen the same questions come up repeatedly, especially from beginners eager to learn the ropes.

In fact, pickleball has exploded from 4.8 million players in 2021 to nearly 20 million in 2024. Furthermore, it’s been America’s fastest-growing sport for four consecutive years. Therefore, I’m excited to share everything you need to know about how is pickleball played.

Surprisingly, pickleball began as a family game in 1965. Specifically, Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum created it on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Initially, they combined elements from tennis, badminton, and table tennis to entertain their families during summer weekends.

However, what started as backyard fun has transformed into a global phenomenon. Notably, the sport’s average player age dropped from retirement age to just 38.1 years by 2021. Additionally, participation has grown by an incredible 311% from 2021 to 2024.

“From my perspective as a paddle retailer, I’ve witnessed firsthand how pickleball brings families together. Unlike tennis, it’s easier on the joints, yet more strategic than table tennis.”

When some players ask me about pickleball basics, I always start with equipment. Fortunately, getting started doesn’t require a huge investment. Nevertheless, choosing the right gear makes a significant difference in your enjoyment.

• Beginner paddles: Typically cost under $69 and feature composite/carbon fiber or polymer cores,You can check out the beginner paddle in our store.
• Materials: Wood (heaviest), composite (balanced), graphite/carbon fiber (lightweight)
• Weight: Most players prefer 7.5-8.0 ounces for better control
• Top-tier options: Can reach $260+ for professional-grade equipment

From my experience, I recommend starting with a mid-range paddle. Consequently, you’ll have better control while learning proper technique.

Pickleballs are plastic balls with holes. There are two main types: practice balls and tournament balls. Practice balls are made from regular plastic (PE), while tournament balls use a fancier, higher-quality plastic (TPE).

But the bigger difference is between indoor and outdoor balls:

• Outdoor balls: Have 40 holes, are tougher, and stand up to rough courts and weather.
• Indoor balls: Have fewer holes (26), the holes are bigger, and they bounce softer for indoor courts.

Standard courts measure 20 ft × 44 ft, identical to doubles badminton courts. Additionally, surfaces can include specialized polyurethane, concrete, or even Astroturf. Most importantly, the net stands 36 inches high at posts and 34 inches at center.

Understanding court layout is crucial for learning how to play pickelball effectively. Therefore, let me break down each zone and its importance.

Perhaps the most unique aspect of pickleball is the kitchen. Specifically, this 7-foot zone extends from both sides of the net. Importantly, players cannot volley (hit the ball in the air) while standing in this area.

Tip from My Years of Experience: New players often struggle with kitchen rules. However, you CAN step into the kitchen after the ball bounces. Furthermore, you can reach over the kitchen line to hit a ball, as long as your feet stay outside.

• Service courts: Each side divides into left and right courts (10 ft × 15 ft each)
• Baseline: Located 22 feet from the net
• Center line: Separates left and right service areas

Now, let’s dive into the fundamental rules that make pickleball unique. Essentially, these pickleball basics will get you playing confidently within minutes.

First, all serves must be underhand with contact below your waist. Additionally, the paddle head must be below your wrist at contact. Most importantly, serves must land diagonally in the opponent’s service court.

This rule distinguishes pickleball from other racquet sports. Specifically:

1.The receiving team must let the serve bounce once

2.Then, the serving team must let the return bounce once

3.Only after these two bounces can players volley

Based on my observations of new players, here are the most frequent mistakes：

1.Hitting the ball out of bounds
2.Failing to clear the net
3.Volleying while standing in the kitchen
4.Violating the double-bounce rule
5.Serving overhand or above waist level

Understanding what do you play to in pickleball is essential for competitive play. Fortunately, the scoring system is straightforward once you grasp the basics.

Only the serving side can score points.
If your team is serving and wins the rally, you get one point. If you lose the rally while serving, you do not lose points—you simply lose the serve.

Games go to 11 points (win by 2).
Most casual games end when one side reaches 11 points and leads by at least 2 points (for example, 11-9 or 12-10). If the score is 10-10, play continues until one team leads by 2 (e.g., 13-11, 14-12).

In tournaments, you might see games to 15 or even 21—but the “win by 2” rule still applies.

Before every serve, the server must announce three numbers, in this exact order:

①Your team’s score (the serving side’s current points)

②Your opponents’ score

③Which server you are (in doubles play, either “1” or “2”)

• Example in doubles: if your team has 5 points, theirs has 3, and you’re the second server on your side, you call out “5-3-2.”
• Example in singles: you only need two numbers (e.g., “4-2”), since there is no “server number” beyond the one server.

In doubles, each team gets two chances to serve before the serve goes to the opponents. Here’s how it works:

1. First Serve of the Game (“0-0-2”):

   • To keep things fair, the very first server in the match calls “0-0-2.”

   • The “2” means that if they lose this first serve, service passes immediately to the other team (so only one serve is given to the first server).

2. Continuing on Your Side:

   • Once a team has control of serve (after the initial “0-0-2”), each player on that team serves in turn.

     • Server #1 always starts on the right-hand side (even side of the court).

     • If Server #1 wins the rally, they earn a point and then switch to the left-hand side (odd side) and serve again (still as Server #1).

     • If Server #1 loses a rally, it becomes Server #2’s turn on that same team—Server #2 always starts on the left.

3. Side-Out to Opponents:

   • If Server #2 loses a rally, a “side-out” happens: the serve shifts to the other team.

   • Now that other team begins with their own Server #1 (on the right side).

4. Rotation on the Court:

   • After your team scores a point, the same server moves from right to left (or left to right) and continues serving until they lose a rally.

   • The receiving team never switches sides mid-rally; only the serving team shifts courts after a point.

• Only one server per turn. In singles, there is no Server #2, so once you lose a rally while serving, the serve immediately goes to your opponent.

• Court position:

  • If your score is an even number (0, 2, 4, etc.), you serve from the right-hand side.

  • If your score is odd (1, 3, 5, etc.), you serve from the left-hand side.

• Doubles Example:

  1. Game starts—Team A’s Server #1 calls “0-0-2.”

     • If they lose that serve, Team B calls “0-0-1” and begins serving with their Server #1.

  2. Suppose Team B’s Server #1 (right side) wins the rally. Team B scores 1 point. They now call “1-0-1” and switch to the left side to serve again.

  3. If Team B’s Server #1 loses that second rally, Team B’s Server #2 steps up. Team B calls “1-0-2” before serving.

  4. When Team B’s Server #2 finally loses, that side-out sends serve back to Team A—Team A’s Server #1 will call “1-1-1.”

• Singles Example:

  • Player A serves first (right side) and calls “0-0.” If they win, they score and call “1-0” (but now serve from the left side).

  • If they lose, Player B takes over and calls “0-1” (serve from right or left depending on even/odd).

• Winning a Single Game: Be the first team (or player) to reach 11 points with at least a 2-point lead.

  • If the score becomes 10-10 (or 14-14, etc.), play continues until someone leads by two.

• Match Formats: Many casual matches are just one game to 11. Tavern-style or backyard games often do best-of-3: first to win two games. Tournament matches usually follow best-of-3 or best-of-5 at varying point goals (11, 15, or 21).

The serving team scores a point only if the opponents commit a fault. Common faults include:

• Hitting the ball out of bounds (outside the lines).

• Hitting the ball into the net.

• Letting the ball bounce twice on your side.

• Volleying (hitting out of the air) while standing in the kitchen (the non-volley zone).

• Touching or stepping into the kitchen on a volley attempt.

When any of these faults happen while you’re receiving, the serving team gains 1 point and keeps the serve (unless it’s their second server, in which case it’s a side-out).

Mastering the serve is fundamental to learning how is pickleball played. Notably, serving rules changed in 2025, making the game more standardized.

•  Call “YourScore – TheirScore – (ServerNumber).”

•  Place at least one foot behind the baseline (but not on or over it).

•  Decide: volley serve (no bounce) or drop serve (bounce once).

• How it works: You toss or drop the ball, then hit it out of the air (without letting it bounce on the court first).

• Key points:

  1. Your hitting arm must move in an upward arc when you swing.

  2. When your paddle meets the ball, the paddle head must not be above the top of your wrist (no “over-hand” motion).

  3. Contact must happen at or below waist height (no reaching above your waist).

• How it works: You release or drop the ball (either from your hand or off the face of your paddle) and let it bounce once on the court. Then you hit it.

• Key points:

  1. You may use one hand or the paddle to release the ball, as long as you don’t push, spin, or “toss” it—just let it fall by gravity.

  2. There’s no limit on how many times it can bounce before you swing (but typical play is “drop once, then hit”).

  3. All of the volley-serve restrictions (arm path, paddle head height, contact below waist) do not apply here—you simply hit after the bounce.

A. Foot placement when you hit:

At least one foot must be on the ground behind the baseline (but neither foot can touch or cross the baseline).

You may not step into the court or outside the imaginary lines until after you finish hitting the serve.

B. Singles vs. Doubles positioning:

In singles, if your score is even (0, 2, 4 …), you serve from the right side of your baseline; if odd (1, 3, 5 …), you serve from the left side.

In doubles, each team has two servers per side-out:

• The first server of your team always starts on the right side (even side).
• If that first server loses the rally, your partner becomes the second server, serving from the left side (odd side).
• When both servers on your team lose, service goes to the other team (a “side-out”), and they start their first server on the right.

Here’s my comprehensive pickleball instructions guide that I share with every beginner. Following these steps will have you playing confidently within your first session.

Start with a continental grip, similar to holding a hammer. Additionally, stand behind the baseline with feet shoulder-width apart. Most importantly, keep your knees slightly bent for better balance.

1. Hold the ball in your non-paddle hand
2. Toss it gently or let it drop (drop serve)
3. Make contact below your waist with an underhand motion
4. Aim diagonally across to the opponent’s service court

After the serve, both teams must follow the double-bounce rule. Consequently, focus on getting the ball back deep rather than hitting winners immediately.

Once the double-bounce requirement is met, players can volley (except in the kitchen). Therefore, approach the net gradually while maintaining good court position.

Remember, only the serving team scores points. Additionally, always announce the score loudly before serving. Furthermore, focus on consistency over power, especially as a beginner.

You may ask what other tips are there for beginners? Sure，here it is. I’ve identified the most effective beginner strategies. Specifically, these tips will accelerate your learning curve significantly.

Prioritize consistency: Keep the ball in play rather than attempting winners

Focus on footwork: Stay balanced and step into shots

Master the basics: Perfect your serve and return before advanced shots

Play with similar skill levels: You’ll improve faster playing with other beginners

Be patient: Rally construction matters more than power initially

1.An beginner carbon fiber paddle ($109.99 for Dual Paddles),For example: GetProQuik Switch T700 Carbon Fiber Paddle

2.A set of outdoor pickleballs for practice

3.Non-marking court shoes with good lateral support

4.Comfortable athletic clothing that allows free movement

I’ve compiled the most frequent beginner errors. Moreover, I’ll explain how to avoid these pitfalls.

• Stepping into the kitchen to volley: This results in an immediate fault
• Rushing for winners: Focus on setting up points with patient play
• Poor footwork: Standing flat-footed instead of staying ready
• Too much backswing: Compact swings provide better control
• Aiming for lines: Hit to bigger targets until your consistency improves

Based on successful players I’ve observed:

• Control the kitchen line: Use soft dinks to draw opponents forward
• Hit down the middle: This reduces angles and creates confusion
• Practice the third-shot drop: This neutralizes aggressive returns
• Communicate in doubles: Call “mine” or “yours” clearly
• Stay patient: Let opponents make mistakes rather than forcing shots

Many experienced players emphasize that beginners should avoid “trying to paint the lines.” Instead, focus on hitting to the middle third of the court until your accuracy improves.

Customers frequently ask me about average time for a pickleball game. Importantly, game duration varies significantly based on skill level and competitiveness.

Typical Game Durations

Generally, beginners play longer games because rallies end quickly with errors. Conversely, intermediate players often have the longest games due to extended rallies and strategic play.

When customers ask about pickleball videos for beginners, I recommend several reliable sources. Importantly, combining video instruction with hands-on practice accelerates learning significantly.

USA Pickleball Official Site: Rulebook PDFs, instructional videos, and local club directories

YouTube Channels for Beginners；

Additionally, many community centers host weekly beginner clinics. Therefore, I recommend checking with your local parks and recreation department. Furthermore, tennis clubs increasingly offer pickleball programs and lessons.

Personal Recommendation: Start with free YouTube tutorials to understand basics, then invest in local lessons for personalized feedback.

Learning how do you play pickleball is an exciting journey that opens doors to a vibrant, welcoming community. Throughout this guide, I’ve shared insights from my experience helping players find the right equipment and succeed on the court.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pickleball

Based on hundreds of customer interactions, these are the most common questions about pickleball basics. Consequently, I’ve provided comprehensive answers to help you get started.