How Do You Play Pickleball Game: Step-By-Step Guide

You play pickleball by serving underhand, letting two bounces, and avoiding kitchen volleys.

If you have wondered how do you play pickleball game, you are in the right place. I coach beginners every week, and I’ll walk you through the rules, scoring, gear, and strategy in plain English. We’ll break it down step by step so you can hit the court today with confidence.

What makes pickleball unique and fun

Pickleball blends tennis, badminton, and ping-pong on a small court. It is quick to learn, social, and easy on the joints. The rallies are fast, yet the moves are simple. If you ask how do you play pickleball game, think smart shots, soft hands, and steady feet.

Pickleball uses a 20-by-44-foot court with a 34-inch net at the center. The kitchen, or non-volley zone, is a 7-foot strip by the net on each side. You can step in to hit a bounce, but not to volley in the air.

The goal and core rules

You score only when you serve. Most games go to 11 points and you must win by 2. Some matches go to 15 or 21, win by 2, in events.

The two-bounce rule controls the start of the rally. The serve must bounce in the returner’s box. The return must bounce before the server’s team hits it. After those two bounces, you may volley, but never from the kitchen.

A fault ends the rally. Common faults are hitting out, into the net, volleying from the kitchen, or serving to the wrong box. If you want a quick way to learn how do you play pickleball game, nail these basics first.

Gear and court setup

You need a paddle, a plastic ball with holes, and court shoes. Indoor balls are softer with larger holes. Outdoor balls are harder with smaller holes and handle wind better. Try both to see what fits your courts.

Court lines matter. The baseline is where you serve from. The centerline splits the boxes. The kitchen line marks the non-volley zone edge. The net should sit at 34 inches in the middle and 36 inches at the posts.

Personal tip: beginner paddles with a middle weight and a large sweet spot help control. If someone asks how do you play pickleball game with the right gear, I say start light and go for comfort.

Serving made simple

Use an underhand motion with the paddle moving up at contact. Hit the ball below your waist, and keep at least one foot behind the baseline. Serve to the diagonal box, past the kitchen line.

You get one serve attempt, even if the ball clips the net and lands in. That serve is live, so play on. In doubles, you will hear a three-number score like 4-2-1. That is server’s score, receiver’s score, and server number. When friends ask how do you play pickleball game without messing up serves, I tell them to slow down, breathe, and aim deep.

How to play pickleball game step by step

Pick sides and decide who serves first. The first serving team in doubles starts at 0-0-2, which means only one person serves before the side out.
Server stands behind the baseline and serves underhand across the court.
The returner lets the ball bounce and sends it back deep and crosscourt.
The serving team lets it bounce once more. Now both sides can volley if they are not in the kitchen.
Rally with control. Aim high over the net and hit to space.
Move forward with care. Stop before the kitchen line to volley. Step in only when the ball bounces.
Keep score out loud before each serve. Only the serving team can score.

If you want a fast track on how do you play pickleball game, practice this sequence until it feels smooth.

Scoring in singles and doubles

In singles, call the server score first, then the receiver score. If the server wins the rally, add a point and serve again from the other side.

In doubles, the right-side player serves when their team score is even. The left-side player serves when the team score is odd. After the first side out of the game, both partners serve each turn. To master how do you play pickleball game, repeat the score before each serve to avoid confusion.

Starter strategy that works

Win with placement, not power. Aim deep on returns to keep the server back. Use soft dinks at the kitchen to force errors. Reset fast balls with a soft, high arc that lands in the kitchen.

Learn the third shot drop. After your serve and the return bounce, play a soft shot that drops into the kitchen. This lets you and your partner get to the net. If someone asks how do you play pickleball game at a higher level, I say control the kitchen first.

Common mistakes and quick fixes

Mistake: standing too close to the kitchen. Fix: keep your toes behind the line when you plan to volley.

Mistake: swinging big on every shot. Fix: shorten the swing and use your shoulder.

Mistake: serving short in the box. Fix: aim deep to the back third of the court.

Mistake: rushing the return. Fix: split step as the server hits, then move with balance.

If you wonder how do you play pickleball game without silly faults, slow down and set your feet.

Practice drills you can do today

Wall warm-up, five minutes. Stand 10 feet from a wall and tap the ball with soft touches. Keep the ball at waist height.

Dink ladder, five minutes. Crosscourt dinks from kitchen to kitchen. Start easy, then add angle and spin.

Serve to targets, 30 balls. Place cones at deep corners. Aim for a high arc and depth.

Third shot drop reps, five minutes. Partner stands at the kitchen. You stand at the baseline and drop the ball to their feet. To speed up how do you play pickleball game skills, track makes and misses.

Etiquette, safety, and rules you should know

Call the score loud before you serve. Respect close calls and give benefit to your opponents. Rotate in with others when courts are busy.

Wear court shoes for grip and ankle support. Consider eyewear to protect from fast balls. Stay hydrated and warm up your shoulders and calves. If you ask how do you play pickleball game and be a good partner, focus on clear talk and kind energy.

Real-world lessons from coaching new players

New players try to win with heat. Most points, though, come from errors. Soft shots and smart feet win more.

One student kept landing in the kitchen after a volley. We fixed it with a cue: volley, freeze, then recover. Another kept serving short. We set a rule: aim one paddle length inside the baseline. If your goal is how do you play pickleball game without stress, use simple cues you can repeat.

Buying your first paddle and ball guide

Pick a midweight paddle, about 7.8 to 8.3 ounces, for control and power balance. A thicker core helps soften the ball. A textured face adds spin, which helps drops and dinks.

Try two or three paddles if you can. Test dinks, drops, and drives. Shoes matter more than you think. Get court shoes with flat, tacky soles. If a friend asks how do you play pickleball game with the right setup, I tell them: comfy shoes first, then a simple paddle.

Frequently Asked Questions of how do you play pickleball game

What is the kitchen in pickleball?

The kitchen is the non-volley zone, 7 feet from the net on each side. You cannot volley while touching it or its line.

Can my serve hit the net and still count?

Yes, if the serve clips the net and lands in the correct box, it is in play. There are no let serves to redo.

How do you keep score in doubles?

Call server score, receiver score, then server number. Only the serving team scores, and after the first side out, both partners serve each turn.

What does two-bounce rule mean?

The serve must bounce once in the returner’s box. The return must bounce once before the serving team hits it.

How do you play pickleball game as a total beginner?

Start with easy rallies in the service boxes. Learn the serve, return, two-bounce rule, and avoid kitchen volleys.

What paddle should I buy first?

Choose a midweight paddle with a big sweet spot. It will help with control while you learn touch shots.

How long is a typical game?

Most games to 11 last 10 to 20 minutes. It depends on rally length and player skill.

Is singles very different from doubles?

Singles needs more court speed and depth on shots. Doubles is more about teamwork, dinks, and kitchen control.

Conclusion

You now know the rules, the serve, the kitchen, and the flow of play. You also have drills, gear tips, and clear steps to try today. If you still wonder how do you play pickleball game, take this guide to the court and practice for 20 minutes.

Grab a friend, keep the ball in, and build soft hands first. Small wins add up fast. Want more tips and drills? Subscribe, leave a comment with your questions, and share your first win story.