What Is Pickleball And How Do You Play It: Beginner’s Guide

Pickleball is a fast, social paddle sport played on a small court with simple rules.

If you want a clear, friendly guide to what is pickleball and how do you play it, you are in the right place. I coach new players, run open-play nights, and have logged hundreds of games. Below, I’ll break down the court, gear, rules, scoring, and strategy in plain English. By the end, you’ll know exactly what is pickleball and how do you play it and feel ready to step on the court.

What Is Pickleball? Origins, Court, and Gear

Pickleball is a paddle sport that blends parts of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. You play on a 20-by-44-foot court with a net and a plastic ball with holes. It works for singles or doubles and is easy to learn at any age.

The court looks like a small tennis court. There is a 7-foot non-volley zone near the net called the kitchen. You can hit groundstrokes from anywhere, but you cannot volley from the kitchen or its line.

You use a solid paddle made of composite or wood. The ball is light and perforated. Wear court shoes with good grip. Bring water and a towel. If someone asks what is pickleball and how do you play it at your park, this section gives you the fast facts.

How Do You Play Pickleball? The Basic Rules

You start a rally with an underhand serve from behind the baseline. Hit the ball diagonally into the opposite service box. The serve must clear the kitchen line and land in the correct box.

There is a double-bounce rule to start each point. The serve must bounce once, and the return must bounce once. After those two bounces, you can volley or hit after a bounce.

Play continues until a fault. A fault happens when the ball goes out, hits the net and does not go over, or you volley from the kitchen. If you ever feel unsure about what is pickleball and how do you play it during your first game, ask the court host. Most players love to help.

Scoring and Serving Made Simple

Only the serving team can score. Games are usually to 11, win by 2. In many events, games can go to 15 or 21.

In doubles, each side gets two servers per turn, except at the start of the game when only one server begins. Servers switch sides after each point they win. Even score serves from the right. Odd score serves from the left.

There are no let-serves. If the serve clips the net and lands in the correct box, play on. When learning what is pickleball and how do you play it, keep score out loud. It keeps everyone on the same page.

Key Shots and Strategy Fundamentals

Master four shots first. Serve deep. Return deep. Play a soft third shot drop that lands in the kitchen. Then dink with control at the net.

Use a simple plan. Hit deep to buy time. Move in together with your partner. Get to the kitchen line and hold it. At the line, keep shots low and soft to force errors.

Think of pickleball like a calm tug-of-war. Soft wins more than hard at the net. When friends ask what is pickleball and how do you play it beyond the basics, I say this: learn to slow the ball down, and you will win more rallies.

How to Start Today: Gear and Setup

You can start with a basic paddle and a pack of balls. Look for a midweight paddle with a comfy grip. Court shoes help your balance and protect your joints.

Bring two or three balls. Outdoor balls are a bit harder with smaller holes. Indoor balls are softer with bigger holes. Both work for learning.

Find a free public court near you. Many parks have open-play times. If you search what is pickleball and how do you play it online, you will also find beginner clinics. That first hour on court will make the rules click.

Safety, Etiquette, and Inclusivity

Warm up your shoulders, calves, and hips before you play. Take small steps and bend your knees. Eye protection is smart, especially at the kitchen.

Be kind and clear. Call the score before you serve. Give honest line calls with benefit of the doubt to your opponents. Say ball on when a stray ball rolls on court, then replay the point.

Pickleball welcomes all ages and skill levels. Invite new players into games and rotate in. If someone asks what is pickleball and how do you play it for seniors or kids, the answer is the same: simple rules, light gear, and a friendly pace.

Easy Drills and a 30-Minute Practice Plan

Try these simple drills with a friend.

• Dink rally to 50. Aim for the kitchen crosscourt. Keep the ball low.
• Third shot drop. Feed a ball from the baseline. Drop it into the kitchen 20 times.
• Serve targets. Place two cones near the back corners. Hit 20 serves to each.
• Return deep. Practice returns that land near the baseline with height.
• Reset drill. From midcourt, block hard balls back softly into the kitchen.

A quick plan for one session:

1. Five minutes warm-up and short dinks.
2. Five minutes serves and returns.
3. Ten minutes third shot drops.
4. Ten minutes game play to 11.

Track your progress. Small wins add up. And yes, this routine is perfect for anyone learning what is pickleball and how do you play it with a tight schedule.

Common Beginner Mistakes and Quick Fixes

Hitting every ball hard. Fix it by aiming for arc and landing in the kitchen. Soft beats speed at the net.

Standing in no-man’s land. Move all the way to the kitchen line after your drop. Do not hover midcourt.

Serving too short. Aim deep with height. A deep serve gives you time to get set.

Volleys from the kitchen line. Keep your feet behind the line on volleys. If you step in, let it bounce first.

Overreaching on wide balls. Turn your shoulders and move your feet. In time, what is pickleball and how do you play it will feel natural and balanced.

Where to Play and How to Find Games

Check local parks, community centers, and gyms. Many have free open play at set hours. Ask to join a rotation. Most groups welcome new faces.

Join local social groups or apps to schedule games. Leagues and ladders are great for steady practice. Clinics can speed up your learning curve.

If you are searching what is pickleball and how do you play it near me, look for beginner nights. You will learn faster with players at your level.

Frequently Asked Questions of what is pickleball and how do you play it

What shoes should I wear for pickleball?

Wear court shoes with good lateral support. Running shoes are not ideal because they are made for forward motion, not side steps.

Can I volley in the kitchen if the ball bounces first?

Yes. The kitchen rule applies only to volleys. If the ball bounces first, you can step in and hit it.

How high should my serve be?

Use an underhand motion with the paddle moving up. Contact should be below your waist for a legal serve.

Is singles very different from doubles?

Singles needs more movement and deeper shots. Doubles focuses more on teamwork, dinks, and control at the kitchen.

What is a third shot drop and why is it key?

It is a soft shot from near the baseline that lands in the kitchen. It gives you time to move in and start a controlled rally.

Why do people say “what is pickleball and how do you play it” so often online?

It is a common search phrase for beginners. Folks want a simple guide that covers rules, scoring, and basic strategy in one place.

Conclusion

Pickleball is simple to start and rich to master. Learn the court, follow the double-bounce rule, and aim for soft control at the kitchen. Build a short practice routine and track small gains each week.

Grab a starter paddle, find a local open play, and ask the group to pair you with a mentor. If you still wonder what is pickleball and how do you play it, the best answer is this: show up, serve the ball, and enjoy the rally. Want more tips like this? Subscribe for weekly drills, strategy notes, and gear picks, or drop a comment with your questions.