How Is Pickleball Played: Rules, Scoring, Beginner Tips

Pickleball is played on a small court with paddles, a plastic ball, and simple rally rules.

If you want to know how is pickleball played without the fluff, you’re in the right place. I teach new players each week and study the official rulebook. This guide gives clear steps, smart tips, and real examples. By the end, you will know exactly how is pickleball played and how to start with confidence.

How the game works, step by step

Pickleball is a paddle sport for two or four players. The ball is light and has holes. The goal is to win rallies and score points on serve. Most games go to 11 and you must win by 2.

Here is the flow I teach beginners:

Serve from behind the baseline to the opposite service box.
The return must bounce before you hit it.
The next shot must also bounce before you hit it.
After those two bounces, you may volley outside the kitchen.
Rally until one side makes a fault.

If you came here asking how is pickleball played, this is the core. Learn the serve, the bounce rule, and the kitchen. Then add scoring and footwork. You will play well fast.

Court, gear, and setup

A pickleball court is 20 by 44 feet. The net is 36 inches at the posts and 34 inches at the center. The non-volley zone, also called the kitchen, is a 7-foot area on each side of the net.

You need:

A paddle made from composite or wood.
A plastic ball with holes. Outdoor balls are harder with more holes.
Court shoes with good grip and support.
Optional eye protection. I recommend it, even for casual play.

Set up is simple. Mark the baselines, sidelines, centerlines, and the kitchen line. If you wonder how is pickleball played in a park, chalk and a portable net will do.

Serving rules you must know

The serve starts every point. The ball must land in the diagonal service court. It cannot land in the kitchen or on the kitchen line.

Key serve rules:

Use an underhand motion. Contact the ball below your waist.
Keep the paddle moving up at contact.
The paddle head must be below your wrist at contact.
Stand behind the baseline. Do not step on the line until after contact.
You get one serve attempt. A serve that clips the net and lands in is live.

In doubles, each side usually gets two servers per turn. At the start of the game, only one server starts. This evens the game. I see many new players miss this detail when asking how is pickleball played. It matters for fair play.

The double-bounce rule and the kitchen

The double-bounce rule says the serve must bounce once. The return must also bounce once. Then you may volley. This rule slows rushes to the net and keeps rallies fun.

The non-volley zone (the kitchen) bans volleys inside it. You can step in to hit a ball that has bounced. You must step back out before you volley again. Your momentum cannot carry you into the kitchen after a volley. That is a fault.

Common kitchen faults:

Your foot touches the line while volleying.
You drop your paddle or hat in the kitchen after a volley.
You volley and your body lands in the kitchen.

I learned this the hard way in my first ladder league. I hit a winner. My toe slid onto the line after contact. Point lost. If you ask how is pickleball played around the kitchen, think balance first.

Scoring made simple

Most games use side-out scoring. Only the serving team can score points. Games are usually to 11, win by 2. In events, games can go to 15 or 21.

Doubles call:

Say server score, receiver score, then server number (1 or 2).
Example: 5-3-1 means 5 points for servers, 3 points for receivers, server 1 is serving.

When a fault happens by the serving side:

If server 1 faults, server 2 serves next.
If server 2 faults, it is a side out. The other team serves.

Some leagues try rally scoring. Every rally scores a point. Check local rules. When people ask how is pickleball played in tournaments, I tell them to read the posted format. Do not assume.

Singles vs doubles: what changes

In doubles, partners cover half the court each. You share a serve turn. In singles, one player covers all 20 feet. It is faster and more aerobic.

Singles notes:

Serve to the diagonal. If your score is even, serve from the right. If odd, serve from the left.
Returns deep to the corners work well.
Passing shots and lobs matter more.

Learn doubles first. New players asking how is pickleball played often start in doubles. It is social and easier on the legs.

Strategy that wins games

Start with simple, high-percentage shots. Aim deep on serves and returns. Move to the net with care. Control the kitchen line. This is where points are won.

Core ideas I teach:

Serve deep to push the returner back.
Return deep and to the middle. It buys time.
Use the third shot drop to reach the net.
Dink cross-court. It gives more margin.
Attack high balls. Keep low balls soft.

When friends ask me how is pickleball played at a higher level, I say this: own the soft game. Then earn the right to hit hard. That balance wins.

Common mistakes and easy fixes

These errors show up in almost every clinic:

Standing on your heels. Fix: stay on the balls of your feet.
Hitting every ball hard. Fix: use soft dinks to set up attacks.
Camping in no-man’s land. Fix: either stay back or get to the kitchen line.
Short returns. Fix: add arc and aim for the back third.
Reaching in the kitchen. Fix: set your feet before you volley.

I once tried to “win fast” with speed-ups on every ball. Better players ate that up. If you still ask how is pickleball played well, remember this: patience beats power.

Practice drills for fast progress

Short, focused drills make big gains in weeks. You do not need fancy machines.

Try these:

Serve and hold: Hit 10 serves deep to each box. Track misses.
Return and advance: Return deep, then reach the kitchen line with small steps.
Third shot drops: Aim to land in the kitchen 7 of 10 reps.
Dink patterns: Cross-court dinks for 3 minutes. Add one speed-up, then reset.
Volley blocks: Partner hits at you. You block back low and short.

Set a timer. Record your makes. If someone asks how is pickleball played for skill growth, show them this routine.

Safety and etiquette

Stay safe so you can play more days.

Do this:

Warm up for 5 minutes. Add light stretches.
Wear court shoes. Running shoes can roll your ankle.
Hydrate early and often.
Use eye protection in fast doubles.
Stop play for stray balls.

Etiquette matters:

Call your own lines. Give benefit of the doubt.
Say the score loud before each serve.
Do not paddle-slam or trash talk.
Be kind to new players. We were all new once.

How is pickleball played at its best? With respect, clear calls, and smiles.

Getting started today

You do not need a country club or a big budget.

Here is a simple plan:

Borrow a paddle or buy an entry model.
Watch a short rules video from an official source.
Learn the serve, bounce rule, and kitchen.
Play open play at a local court.
Take one beginner clinic.

Keep asking how is pickleball played, then test it on court. Small wins stack fast.

Frequently Asked Questions of how is pickleball played

What is the double-bounce rule?

The serve must bounce once. The return must also bounce once. After that, either side may volley if they are outside the kitchen.

Can I volley from the kitchen line?

No. You cannot volley with any part of your body on or in the kitchen, including the line. Step back first, then hit.

How do you keep score in doubles?

Only the serving team scores. Call server score, receiver score, and server number. Games are usually to 11, win by 2.

Is the let serve still a replay?

No. A serve that hits the net and lands in the correct box is live. Keep playing the point.

What gear do I need to start?

You need a paddle, an outdoor ball, and court shoes. Eye protection is smart, and a hat helps with sun or lights.

How is singles different from doubles?

Singles uses the full court with one player per side. Movement, passing shots, and deep serves matter more than soft dinks.

Conclusion

You now know how is pickleball played from first serve to final point. Learn the court, master the bounce rule, respect the kitchen, and keep score with care. Add smart shots like deep serves, deep returns, and soft drops.

Pick one drill and try it this week. Join open play and meet partners. Ready for more? Subscribe for new drills, strategy guides, and local play tips.