How Do U Play Pickleball: Rules, Scoring & Tips

You play by serving underhand, obeying the two-bounce rule, and avoiding kitchen volleys.

You came here to learn how do u play pickleball, fast and right. I coach new players every week and know the common stumbles and the fast wins. In this friendly guide, I break down rules, scoring, shots, and smart plays, so you can step on a court today with real confidence.

The Court, Gear, and Setup

Pickleball is easy to start. You only need a paddle, a perforated ball, a net, and a lined court. The court is 20 feet by 44 feet, the same for singles and doubles. The non-volley zone, known as the kitchen, is the 7-foot strip on both sides of the net.

Before you ask how do u play pickleball, know the space you use. Lines matter. Sidelines and baselines are in. The kitchen line is special on the serve. A serve that hits the kitchen line is a fault.

Pick simple gear to start. A midweight paddle helps control and power. Wear court shoes with a flat sole. Bring water and a towel.

From my coaching bag: I keep two grips. Hot days make hands slick. A dry grip can save points.

Scoring Basics and How Serving Works

A big part of how do u play pickleball is scoring and serve order. Only the serving side can score. Games often go to 11, win by 2. Some play to 15 or 21 in events.

Serve underhand. Contact must be below the waist, with the paddle head under the wrist. You can also use a drop serve. Drop the ball from your hand and hit it after the bounce. The serve must land crosscourt past the kitchen. There are no service lets under current rules.

Two-bounce rule: The return must bounce once, and the next shot must bounce once. After those two bounces, anyone may volley outside the kitchen.

Doubles uses three numbers for the call. Server score, receiver score, and server number. You start at 0-0-2. That means the first serving team begins as server two to level the court.

My tip: Call the score with a strong voice each serve. It sets your mind and helps partners sync.

Step-by-Step: How do u play pickleball from first serve to point

Follow these simple steps to start a rally and track a point.

1. Check positions

   • Server stands behind the baseline on the right when the server’s score is even. Left side when odd.
   • Partner stays staggered. Do not block lanes.

2. Serve the ball

   • Use an underhand or drop serve.
   • Aim deep crosscourt. Clear the kitchen.

3. Prepare for the return

   • Expect a deep return to your feet.
   • Let it bounce. That is the second bounce.

4. Hit the third shot

   • Use a controlled drop into the kitchen. Or drive if the return is short.
   • Move in with small steps. Stay out of the kitchen unless the ball bounces first.

5. Play the rally

   • Volley outside the kitchen. Keep the ball low.
   • Target the weaker backhand. Aim to the middle in doubles.

6. Win or lose the rally

   • If the serving team wins, the server switches sides and serves again.
   • If the serving team loses, server two serves. After both lose, the other team serves.

If a friend asks, how do u play pickleball with flow, show this loop: serve, deep return, soft third, move in, win at the net. It is a rhythm you can learn fast.

Core Shots and Easy Drills to Learn Fast

When people ask how do u play pickleball well, I point to three core shots. Master these early to grow fast.

Core shots you need:

• Serve: Aim deep and to the backhand. Keep it simple.
• Third-shot drop: Soft arc that lands in the kitchen. It buys time to move in.
• Dink: Short soft shot in the kitchen. It makes rivals miss or pop the ball up.
• Volley: Firm punch with a short swing. Aim low at feet.
• Drive: Flat shot on high balls. Use it to pressure.

Simple home drills:

• Wall dinks: Stand 6 feet from a wall. Tap light, five minutes a day.
• Target drops: Place two towels in the kitchen. Drop 50 balls to them.
• Serve ladder: Serve 10 to each corner. Track makes. Beat your last score.
• Volley freeze: Hold a ready pose and block 30 feeds with no swing. Feel the paddle face.

Coach tip: Count out loud. One and two for rhythm. It keeps hands soft. Soft hands win the kitchen.

Smart Strategy for Doubles and Singles

How do u play pickleball with smart moves? Start with court goals. In doubles, both players want the kitchen line. In singles, you hold the center and move the other player side to side.

Doubles keys:

• Serve deep, then follow the ball in.
• Third-shot drop to space, then close the gap with your partner.
• Aim middle. Two players hesitate on middle balls.
• Stack only if it helps a strong side. Keep signals simple.

Singles keys:

• Serve wide. Hit the next ball to the open court.
• Use deep returns. Keep your feet inside the court after you hit.
• Hit high-percentage shots. Avoid low line drives near sidelines.

Mindset: Play high to low. A high ball? Attack. A low ball? Reset. I teach this rule on day one. It cuts errors at once.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

If you wonder how do u play pickleball without faults, watch for these traps.

Top beginner errors:

• Stepping into the kitchen on a volley. Keep toes behind the line unless the ball bounces.
• Rushing the serve. Set feet, call score, breathe, then swing.
• Swinging big at the net. You only need a short punch.
• Floating serves and returns short. Depth wins. Aim near the baseline.
• Skipping the third-shot drop. A wild drive pulls you out of place.

From my first month as a club coach, I saw one clear pattern. New players chase speed first. The fix is to slow down near the net. You will see fast gains.

Safety, Etiquette, and Local Rules

Part of how do u play pickleball the right way is to stay safe and fair. Warm up five minutes. Ankles and calves matter. Wear eye protection in tight play.

Good form and fair play:

• Call balls on your side. Give the benefit of doubt to rivals.
• Say the score before each serve.
• Avoid crossing behind courts during points.
• Learn local house rules. Some centers set paddle queues and time caps.

Evidence based notes: The official rule set allows drop serves and bans service lets now. The two-bounce rule is active in all play. Kitchen volleys are faults. These core items come from the standard rule book used at clubs and events.

Frequently Asked Questions of how do u play pickleball

How do u play pickleball in simple terms?

Serve underhand crosscourt, let the next two shots bounce, then rally to win points. Do not volley in the kitchen.

How do u play pickleball doubles serve order?

Start at 0-0-2. The first server is server two. After each point, the server switches sides. When both partners lose serves, the ball goes to the other team.

How do u play pickleball singles scoring?

Only the server scores. Serve from the right when your score is even and from the left when odd. Games are usually to 11, win by 2.

How do u play pickleball without stepping in the kitchen?

Stay behind the kitchen line on volleys. You may step in only after the ball bounces, then step out before the next volley.

How do u play pickleball if you are a total beginner?

Learn the court lines, practice a deep serve and return, and master the third-shot drop. Play short games to 7 to build rhythm and cut errors.

How do u play pickleball with a drop serve?

Hold the ball at any height, drop it, and hit after it bounces. Keep contact below waist height and send it crosscourt past the kitchen.

Conclusion

You now know the court, the rules, the shots, and the flow. You can explain how do u play pickleball, and you can show it on court. Start with depth on serves and returns, add a simple third-shot drop, and win at the kitchen with soft hands.

Pick one drill today and do 50 reps. Book a friendly match this week. If this guide helped, share it with a friend, subscribe for more tips, or drop your questions in the comments.