Grab a paddle, learn the rules, then follow these simple, clear steps to play.
If you have wondered how do you play pickleball step by step, you are in the right spot. I teach new players every week, and I know what trips people up. In this guide, you will learn the setup, the rules, and the moves. You will also get real tips from the court. By the end, you will know how to start a game with confidence.
What You Need: Court, Gear, and Setup
Pickleball uses a small court. It is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long. The net is 36 inches high at the posts and 34 inches in the center. The non-volley zone, called the kitchen, is 7 feet on each side of the net.
You need a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. Outdoor balls are harder and have more holes. Indoor balls are softer and have larger holes. Wear court shoes with good grip and stable sides.
Bring water and a towel. I also carry lead tape for small paddle tweaks. Before we dive into how do you play pickleball step by step, make sure you have a safe, dry court and the right shoes.
Tips from experience:
- Use an outdoor ball on windy days for a truer bounce.
- Try a light paddle at first to protect your elbow.
- Start with soft grips to cut hand fatigue.
Core Rules You Must Know
Know these before you play. They shape every point.
- Serve underhand. Contact the ball below your waist with an upward arc. At contact, do not stand on the court or the baseline.
- Serve cross-court into the opposite service box. The ball must clear the kitchen line. Net-cord serves that land in are good under current rules.
- The two-bounce rule applies. The serve must bounce. The return must bounce. After that, you may volley.
- You cannot volley in the kitchen. If you step on the kitchen line while volleying, that is a fault.
- Only the serving team scores points. Games are often to 11, win by 2.
These are based on official rules used in clubs and events. If you ask how do you play pickleball step by step, it starts with learning these five core rules.
Step-by-Step: How do you play pickleball step by step
Follow this simple path. It works for singles and doubles.
- Warm up for five minutes. Do light jogs, side shuffles, and shadow swings. Get your hands and eyes ready.
- Choose sides and servers. In doubles, the first server calls 0-0-2 to start. Keep the ball and serve from the right side.
- Set up to serve. Stand behind the baseline. Aim diagonally. Call the score out loud.
- Use an underhand serve. Swing smooth and low. Aim deep to the back third of the box.
- Let the return bounce. Move to your ready spot near the baseline. Stay balanced and calm.
- Hit the third shot. Use a soft drop into the kitchen to buy time. If the return is short, drive it at the middle.
- Move as a team. In doubles, slide together left and right. Keep a small gap so balls do not slip through.
- Build the rally with dinks. Lift the ball soft and low over the net. Aim cross-court for more space.
- Attack only when set. If the ball sits high, drive it to the feet or the middle. Recover your balance fast.
- Watch the kitchen. Do not volley with your feet on or in the zone. If your momentum carries you in, let the ball bounce next time.
- Call lines fair. If you are not sure, call it in. Respect keeps games fun.
- Rotate servers on side-outs. Only the serving team scores. Keep your serve order clear by staying on your side.
When friends ask me how do you play pickleball step by step, I share these same 12 steps. They keep things simple and clear.
Scoring and Serving Explained
Pickleball uses side-out scoring. Only the serving team scores. Most games play to 11, win by 2. In close games, you may go to 15 or 21.
To start a doubles game, only one player gets a serve. That is why the call is 0-0-2. After that rally, both players on a team serve before a side-out. Call the score as server score, receiver score, then server number.
Serve rules at a glance:
- Underhand swing with the paddle below your waist.
- At least one foot on the ground at contact.
- Do not touch the baseline or court at contact.
If you still wonder how do you play pickleball step by step when serving, practice ten calm serves to each box before every session.
The Kitchen Made Simple
The kitchen is the 7-foot non-volley zone. You cannot volley while any part of you touches it. The line counts as part of the kitchen.
You may step into the kitchen to hit a ball that bounced. Then step out and reset. Your follow-through on a volley cannot land in the zone.
Common kitchen faults:
- Volleying with a toe on the line.
- Jumping to volley and landing in the zone.
- Touching the net or post with your paddle or body.
In every clinic on how do you play pickleball step by step, I stress this: control your feet first, then swing.
Beginner Strategy and Shot Selection
Keep it simple. Deep serves and deep returns push your foes back. Soft third shot drops give you time to move in.
Aim for the middle. Many points end on balls that land between players. Use dinks cross-court to find angles and force pop-ups.
My go-to plan:
- Serve deep, return deep.
- Third shot drop to the kitchen.
- Dink to the backhand.
- Attack to the feet or the middle.
This is the safest map for how do you play pickleball step by step when you start.
Practice Plan: Drills for Fast Progress
Use short, focused drills. Ten minutes a day beats one long session a week.
- Target serves. Place two cones deep in each service box. Hit 20 serves, 10 per cone.
- Wall rally. Stand 10 feet from a wall. Keep 50 soft hits in a row off the sweet spot.
- Dink ladder. With a partner, dink cross-court. Move targets from short to deep.
- Third shot drops. Feed a slow return. Hit soft drops that land in the kitchen.
- Split-step timing. Say “split-hit” out loud. Split before the ball crosses the net.
If you ask how do you play pickleball step by step at home, these drills are your answer.
Safety, Etiquette, and Common Mistakes
Warm up your shoulders, calves, and hips. Wear good shoes and hydrate. Avoid backpedaling on lobs. Turn and run instead.
Be kind with line calls. Say “ball” if a stray ball rolls in. Do not smash at faces. Thank your partners and foes.
Mistakes to avoid:
- Standing in the back when you should move up.
- Hitting every ball hard.
- Forgetting the two-bounce rule on the third shot.
- Talking while the serve is in motion.
On the question of how do you play pickleball step by step without drama, follow safety and play fair.
Singles vs Doubles: What Changes
Singles is more cardio and angles. Serve deep, return deep, and use the middle third of the court. Recover to the center after each shot.
Doubles is about teamwork. Move as a pair, hold the line, and talk often. Call “mine” and “yours” early.
If you learn how do you play pickleball step by step in doubles first, your footwork and soft game will grow fast.
Frequently Asked Questions of how do you play pickleball step by step
What is the fastest way to learn the basics?
Start with serving, returning, and dinking. Play half-court games to slow things down and build control.
How many points do you play to in a standard game?
Most games go to 11 and you must win by 2. Tournaments may use 15 or 21 for longer matches.
Do I have to stay out of the kitchen at all times?
No. You can step in to hit any ball that bounced. You cannot volley while on or in the kitchen.
What gear do I need to start?
A paddle, a pack of outdoor balls, and court shoes are enough. Add a hat and water for sun and heat.
What is the best drill for beginners?
Dink cross-court for five minutes, then practice 20 third shot drops. These build touch and set up points.
What is the easiest way for beginners to learn how do you play pickleball step by step?
Break it into serve, return, third shot, and dink. Work each part for 10 minutes, then play short games.
Can I use spin on my serve?
Use light spin from your swing, not a pre-spun toss. Focus on depth and placement first for higher consistency.
Conclusion
You now have a clear map to the court. You learned the setup, the rules, and the flow. You saw how to serve, drop, dink, and attack with control. You also learned the small habits that prevent faults and win points.
Pick one tip from this guide and use it in your next game. Share this with a friend who wants to learn how do you play pickleball step by step, then book a court and practice. If this helped, subscribe or drop a comment with your biggest question.