Grip a paddle, serve underhand, let two bounces happen, avoid the kitchen, score to 11.
If you want a clear, friendly guide on how play pickleball, you are in the right spot. I teach new players each week, and I know the small tips that help fast. This step-by-step plan will show you how play pickleball with easy rules, smart drills, and real game moves you can use today. Read on to learn how play pickleball the simple way, without the fluff.
What You Need to Start
You only need a few things to play.
- Paddle: Pick a light to midweight paddle. A simple, balanced paddle is best for new players.
- Ball: Use outdoor balls on hard courts. Use indoor balls on gym floors.
- Shoes: Wear court shoes with good grip and support.
- Net and court: A pickleball court is 20 by 44 feet. The net is 36 inches high at the posts and 34 inches at the center.
- Kitchen: The non-volley zone, called the kitchen, is the 7-foot area on both sides of the net.
If you wonder how play pickleball with kids, keep it simple. Use softer balls and short games to 7 points. Safety first. Warm up, hydrate, and stop if you feel pain.
Court Basics and Rules
Knowing the court and rules makes the game fun and fair.
- Lines: Baseline at the back. Sidelines on each side. Center line splits the service boxes. The kitchen line is 7 feet from the net.
- Serve: Serve underhand. Hit the ball below your waist. Serve crosscourt. Keep at least one foot behind the baseline at contact. You can use a drop serve if you like.
- Double bounce rule: The serve must bounce once. The return must bounce once. After that, you can volley.
- Scoring: In standard play, only the serving team scores. Games are to 11, win by 2. In doubles, the right-side player serves first. The first team to serve starts with one server.
- Faults: Hitting out. Hitting the net and not going over. Stepping on the kitchen line during a volley. Missing the ball on a serve. Serving to the wrong box.
These rules are the heart of how play pickleball in parks and clubs. Learn them well, and your games will flow.
Step-by-Step: Your First Game
Try this simple plan for your first match.
- Warm up for 5 minutes. Light jog. Gentle swings. A few easy dinks.
- Choose sides and who serves first. Call the score before each serve.
- Serve crosscourt. Aim deep to the back third.
- Return crosscourt and deep. Let it bounce. Move toward the kitchen line.
- Follow the double bounce rule. Then start to volley.
- Stay patient at the kitchen. Use soft dinks. Attack high balls.
- Call lines fair and loud. Keep the game friendly.
- Play to 11, win by 2. Switch ends at 6 if it is sunny or windy.
I show new players how play pickleball with this exact flow. Short, clear steps ease nerves and boost skill.
Core Skills and Drills
A few core moves unlock the game fast.
Grip and stance
- Use a relaxed handshake grip. Do not choke the handle.
- Keep a ready stance. Knees soft. Paddle up around chest height.
Serve and return
- Serve: Smooth, low to high. Aim for 70% in. Pick a deep target.
- Return: Send it deep to the middle. Buy time to reach the kitchen line.
Dinks and volleys
- Dink: Soft shots over the net into the kitchen. Use a short swing. Keep your wrist quiet.
- Volley: Short punch. Hit in front of your body. Aim at feet or the middle.
Third shot
- Drop: A soft arc from the baseline that lands in the kitchen. This helps you move in.
- Drive: A firm shot at the body or middle. Use it when you have a high ball.
Simple drills
- Wall taps: 50 forehand taps, 50 backhand taps. Paddle face quiet.
- Kitchen dinks: Crosscourt and straight ahead. 50 each side.
- Serve box targets: Hit 20 serves to the back corners.
- Third-shot ladder: Drop 10 balls in a row into the kitchen from the baseline.
This is how play pickleball becomes smooth. Small swings. Clear targets. Lots of reps.
Doubles Strategy for Beginners
Move as one unit. Talk a lot. Keep it simple.
- Both players try to reach the kitchen line and stay there.
- Hit most shots to the middle. It causes mix-ups.
- Aim at feet. It is hard to attack low balls.
- Be patient. Soft wins more points than hard at beginner levels.
- Switch sides only when needed. Call who has the middle ball.
When you learn how play pickleball as a team, you will win more with less power.
Singles Strategy Basics
You run more in singles, so plan your rallies.
- Serve deep and wide. Follow in behind strong serves.
- Return deep. Take the center early when you can.
- Use crosscourt more. The net is lower and the court longer there.
- Attack short balls. Pass down the line or roll crosscourt.
- Stay calm on defense. Reset with a soft shot back to the middle.
Try this in drills, and you will feel how play pickleball shifts in singles. It is chess with fast feet.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
I see these often when I coach.
- Swinging too big: Use short strokes. Let the paddle face do the work.
- Standing tall: Bend your knees. Lower your center.
- Hitting hard from low balls: Reset soft. Attack only high balls.
- Camping at the baseline: Move in behind a drop. Own the kitchen line.
- Foot faults in the kitchen: Do not volley with your toe on the line. Step back first.
Make one fix at a time. That is how play pickleball gets steady and fun.
Safety, Etiquette, and Gear Upgrades
Stay safe and be a good partner.
- Warm up. Stretch calves and shoulders.
- Hydrate before, during, after. Use sunscreen.
- Call the score before serving. Wait for ready.
- Clear stray balls fast. Yell “ball” if it rolls on court.
- Eye protection helps if play is fast.
- Upgrades: Overgrips for sweat. Vibration dampers are not needed. A midweight paddle with a textured face adds control.
Good habits build trust. That is how play pickleball feels like community.
Practice Plans: 30, 60, 90 Minutes
Use these simple plans to grow fast.
30-minute tune-up
- 5 min warm-up
- 10 min serves and returns
- 10 min kitchen dinks
- 5 min mini games to 5
60-minute build
- 10 min warm-up and footwork
- 15 min serve plus first ball
- 15 min third-shot drops
- 15 min game play with one focus
- 5 min notes on what worked
90-minute deep work
- 10 min warm-up
- 15 min targets on serve and return
- 20 min drop to the kitchen, both sides
- 20 min transition volleys and resets
- 20 min games to 11 with goals
- 5 min cool down and recap
Stick to the plan, and you will master how play pickleball through smart reps, not guesswork.
How to Find Courts and Community
It is easy to find places to play.
- Check local parks and rec centers. Many line courts for open play.
- Use pickleball apps and maps to find nearby games and meetups.
- Join a ladder or round-robin. You will face many styles and learn fast.
- Ask for a “new player” court. Most clubs set these up.
- Offer to rotate partners. You will get tips and friends.
If you are shy, tell the group you want to learn how play pickleball. Players are kind. They will help you fit in.
Frequently Asked Questions of how play pickleball
What is the best way to hold the paddle?
Use a relaxed handshake grip. Keep your wrist steady and your paddle up near chest height.
How do I serve in pickleball?
Serve underhand and below the waist. Hit crosscourt and aim deep to start the point right.
What is the kitchen and why does it matter?
The kitchen is the 7-foot non-volley zone by the net. You cannot volley there, which keeps net play fair and safe.
Can I score on a return?
In standard play, no. Only the serving team scores points, and you play to 11, win by 2.
How often should I practice as a beginner?
Two or three short sessions a week work well. Mix drills with games to build skill and court sense.
What balls should I buy for outdoor play?
Use outdoor balls designed for hard courts. They are a bit heavier and have smaller holes for wind control.
Is singles or doubles better for beginners?
Start with doubles. You cover less court, learn the kitchen game, and get more touches per rally.
Conclusion
You now know how play pickleball from gear to court, from rules to drills, and from first serve to smart wins. Keep your swings short. Aim deep. Own the kitchen. Work one skill each week and track your progress. That steady plan is how play pickleball becomes second nature.
Grab a paddle today. Try one practice plan. Then share your takeaways or questions below, and subscribe for new drills, tactics, and gear tips.