What Is Pickleball And How Is It Played: Beginner's Guide

Pickleball is a fast, fun paddle sport with underhand serves and a no-volley zone.

If you want to know what is pickleball and how is it played, you’re in the right place. I coach new players every week, and I’ve seen the same questions, wins, and mistakes. This guide explains the court, rules, scoring, and simple tactics you can use today. By the end, you’ll understand what is pickleball and how is it played like a seasoned insider.

What Is Pickleball? The Essentials

To grasp what is pickleball and how is it played, start with the basics. Pickleball blends tennis, badminton, and table tennis. You play on a small court with a paddle and a light plastic ball. The game is easy to learn and kind on the joints.

The court is 20 feet by 44 feet. The net sits at 36 inches at the posts and 34 inches in the center. A 7-foot non-volley zone, called the kitchen, sits on both sides of the net.

The paddle is solid, not strung. Modern paddles use polymer cores and textured faces. The ball has holes and comes in indoor or outdoor versions. Outdoor balls are firmer and have more holes.

In my first month coaching, I saw how fast people improve. With clear steps, anyone can rally in one session.

How Is It Played: The Flow Of A Rally

Here is what is pickleball and how is it played during a rally. The serve is underhand and goes cross-court. The ball must land in the opposite service box past the kitchen line.

After the serve and return, both must bounce once. This is the two-bounce rule. Then players may volley or hit after a bounce, but not while standing in the kitchen.

A typical rally looks like this:

Server hits underhand, cross-court.
Receiver returns deep, aiming middle.
Both sides let those first two shots bounce.
Players trade drops, dinks, drives, and volleys until someone errors.

Games are often to 11, win by 2, using side-out scoring. Only the serving team can score.

Court, Lines, and The Kitchen

The kitchen is central to what is pickleball and how is it played. You cannot volley while touching the kitchen or its line. If momentum carries you into the kitchen after a volley, it is a fault, even if the ball is dead.

You can step into the kitchen to play a ball that bounces first. Then you must reestablish both feet outside the zone before your next volley.

Markings matter:

Baseline and sidelines define the court. A ball that clips any line (except kitchen on serve) is in.
The centerline divides the service boxes.
On serves, the ball must clear the kitchen line to be valid.

These lines keep play fair and precise. Learn them early, and you will save many points.

Serving Made Simple

Serving rules shape what is pickleball and how is it played. Use an underhand motion. Contact the ball below your waist. At least one foot must be behind the baseline when you strike the ball.

There are two common serve styles:

Traditional serve. Drop or toss the ball, then swing underhand with a smooth arc.
Drop serve. Drop the ball, let it fall, and hit it off the bounce. This is great for control.

Aim cross-court into the correct box. Keep the serve deep and safe. In many settings there is no let serve; if it clips the net and lands in, play on. Local rules can vary, so check with your league.

Coaching tip: a simple target works wonders. I ask beginners to aim at the receiver’s backhand hip. It keeps serves smart and consistent.

Scoring and Positions in Doubles and Singles

Scoring is key to what is pickleball and how is it played. Standard games go to 11, win by 2. Only the serving team scores. In doubles, both players serve each time their team earns the ball, except the very first service sequence of the game.

In doubles, the score is called server score, receiver score, and server number. The game starts at 0-0-2 to limit any early edge. The right-side player serves on even scores. The left-side player serves on odd scores.

In singles, the right side serves on even points, the left on odd. Keep calls clear and loud. It avoids disputes and builds rhythm.

Strategy 101: Dinks, Drives, and Drops

Strategy shows what is pickleball and how is it played at a higher level. You want to control the net and force errors. Use a mix of soft and hard shots to move your opponents.

Core tools:

Dink. A soft shot into the kitchen. It draws errors and sets up attacks.
Third-shot drop. A soft arc after your serve, landing in the kitchen. It lets you approach the net.
Drive. A fast, low shot. Use it when opponents pop the ball high.
Lob. A high shot over the net players. Use it with care.
Reset. A soft block from a fast ball to slow the rally.

I teach a simple pattern: drop, dink, then attack the pop-up. It works at every level.

Common Mistakes and How To Fix Them

Knowing the traps is part of what is pickleball and how is it played well. These errors show up in new players a lot.

Frequent mistakes:

Volleying in or on the kitchen line. Pause, check your feet, then swing.
Hitting serves and returns short. Aim deep to push foes back.
Swinging hard at every ball. Add dinks and drops to build points.
Standing too close to the baseline on returns. Give yourself space to step in.
Crowd the middle with your partner. Call who takes the center ball.

I used to overhit my third shots. A simple cue helped: lift, do not flick. The ball arcs, lands soft, and buys time.

Gear: Paddles, Balls, Shoes, and Cost

Your gear affects what is pickleball and how is it played in your hands. You do not need the most expensive paddle to start. Fit and feel matter more.

Quick gear guide:

Paddle. Midweight paddles (7.8–8.3 oz) balance power and control. Test grip size; a snug grip helps control.
Balls. Use indoor balls on wood floors and outdoor balls on asphalt. Replace cracked balls fast.
Shoes. Choose court shoes with good lateral grip. Running shoes are risky for side moves.
Cost. A starter setup can be under $100. Borrow if you can and test first.

I bring demo paddles to clinics. People swing better when the grip is right. Comfort wins.

Practice Plans and Drills For Fast Progress

A plan makes what is pickleball and how is it played click faster. Short, focused drills beat long, random play.

Try this 30-minute plan:

Warm-up mini dinks for 5 minutes. Aim cross-court and straight on.
Third-shot drops for 10 minutes. Serve, get a return, then drop to the kitchen.
Volleys and resets for 10 minutes. One player drives, the other blocks soft back to the kitchen.
Serves for 5 minutes. Hit ten to each corner with a target.

Solo work:

Shadow swings. Practice the underhand serve motion at home.
Wall drills. Soft touches to a taped square build control.

Track one metric per week. For example, count third-shot drops that land in. Better numbers mean real gains.

Safety, Etiquette, and Inclusive Play

Respect is central to what is pickleball and how is it played in any group. A kind culture keeps courts fun and safe.

Simple rules of the road:

Warm up and hydrate. Light ankles and shoulder work reduces strains.
Call your own lines with honesty. If unsure, the ball is in.
Do not chase balls into other courts. Say ball and stop play.
Rotate into games so all feel welcome. Invite new faces often.

I have seen small etiquette wins change a whole park. Smile, say good shot, and you will get better games and better friends.

Where To Play and Join The Community

Community shows you what is pickleball and how is it played in real life. Start at local parks, YMCAs, schools, and rec centers. Many have open play hours for all levels.

Ways to plug in:

Ask a local club about beginner days.
Join social ladders for steady partners and fair matches.
Check neighborhood groups for pop-up games.
Take a beginner clinic. One hour can save months of guesswork.

Bring water, a spare ball, and a friendly hello. The sport grows because people share it.

Frequently Asked Questions of what is pickleball and how is it played

What is pickleball in simple terms?

Pickleball is a paddle sport on a small court with a low net. It mixes tennis, badminton, and table tennis using a plastic ball with holes.

How is scoring done in pickleball?

Most games go to 11, win by 2, with side-out scoring. Only the serving team scores, and doubles uses a server number system.

What is the kitchen and why does it matter?

The kitchen is a 7-foot non-volley zone near the net. You cannot volley while touching it or its line, which keeps play fair and safe.

Can I serve overhand in pickleball?

No. The serve must be underhand, with contact below your waist. The serve goes cross-court into the correct box.

Is pickleball hard to learn?

It is beginner friendly and low impact. Most people rally in the first session with a few simple tips.

What gear do I need to start?

You need a paddle, a few balls, and court shoes. Many parks offer loaner paddles, so you can try before you buy.

How does doubles differ from singles?

Doubles adds teamwork, kitchen control, and clear calls. Singles needs more movement, deep serves, and strong passing shots.

Conclusion

You now know what is pickleball and how is it played from the ground up. The court, the kitchen, the two-bounce rule, and simple tactics guide every rally. Use the drills, avoid the common traps, and keep your serves deep and safe.

Grab a paddle, invite a friend, and try one short session this week. If this helped, share it with your group, subscribe for more guides, or drop a question in the comments.

What Is Pickleball And How Is It Played: Beginner’s Guide