Get Started with Pickleball
Learn the basic including but not limited to: gear, court details so you can play, and the actual play rules so you can jump into the game with confidence.
Begin Your Pickleball Adventure
Learn the fundamentals, equip yourself, and enter the court with Confidence
Pickleball is an up-and-coming sport that has combined elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong to become something new. With it’s popularity exploding, watching the Pickleball pros on live TV or online. Watching the pros play will enable you to incorporate their skills into yours.
Prepare to Play
Get everything you need to get started playing pickleball today
You need a paddle, a ball, and a court to play pickleball.
- Paddle: Pickleball paddles are made from composite, carbon fiber, or wood, and they come in varying weights and grip sizes to match your playing style.
- Ball: The official pickleball is a perforated plastic ball that is made for controlled, fast-paced play. There are two types, indoor and outdoor.
- Court shoes: Using the right shoes helps with traction and movement, which are key to playing this game well and safely.
- Optional gear: Some players wear sweatbands or gloves. Some bring bags to carry their gear. If you play without any of this optional equipment, don’t worry. Just play.
Step with Confidence onto the Court
Learn the layout before you play
A pickleball court is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, with distinct areas for play:
- Baseline: This is where serves are made.
- Non-Volley Zone: This is the 7-foot area near the net where volleys are restricted, also known as the Kitchen.
- Service Courts: These are divided into right and left boxes where the ball must land on serves.
How to Play: The Basics
Simple rules make pickleball simple to learn and thrilling to play
- Serving: Begin behind the baseline to make an underhand serve that lands in the opponent’s diagonal service court.
- Double Bounce Rule: The ball must bounce once on each side before volleys can start.
- Volleying: Players can hit the ball out of the air but not in the non-volley zone.
- Scoring: Only the serving side can score, and games are typically played to 11, winning by 2.
When and Where You Can Play
Discover courts near you and connect with players
Your local pickleball scene is ready for you. Community centers, pickleball spots, and even some old-school gyms have welcomed the game. Check out community centers and clubs for a nearby court, or apps like CourtReserve (courts are popping up everywhere, it seems) to find the nearest open play.
You should also check your area for tournaments. That might sound odd, but many local clubs host events where you can join in and get more familiar with the game’s vibe and your community’s players.
Level Up Your Skills
Core tactics for confidence building and technique sharpening
- Control Your Shots: Aim for ball placement that is consistent and allows for a shot that is effective in reaching its target. Do not rely on power alone.
- Dominate the Kitchen Play: Understand the importance of hitting a control shot to get better net positioning and control. Learn to hit most sets of shots from any given area and work in pairs to hit shots to set each other up for the Kitchen Play.
- Ensure You Have Good Footwork: To stay balanced and poised for every shot, move with efficiency.
