Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America and one of the easiest to pick up. Here’s what you need and how to play your first game.
STEP 1 — Get the Basic Equipment
You need a paddle, balls, and a court. Starter paddles cost $30-60 and are perfectly adequate for beginners. Avoid cheap paddle sets sold at big box stores — the quality difference is significant. Buy outdoor pickleballs for outdoor courts and indoor balls for gym play as they have different hole patterns and weights.
STEP 2 — Find a Court Near You
Pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court — much smaller than a tennis court. Most parks and recreation centers have added pickleball courts in recent years. Search Places to Play on the USA Pickleball website to find courts near you. Many tennis courts have pickleball lines painted on them.
STEP 3 — Learn the Basic Rules
The court has a non-volley zone called the kitchen extending 7 feet from the net on each side. You cannot volley — hit the ball out of the air — while standing in the kitchen. The serve must land in the diagonal service box. Both sides must let the ball bounce once before volleys are allowed after the serve — this is the double-bounce rule unique to pickleball.
STEP 4 — Master the Dink Shot First
The dink is a soft shot that lands in your opponent’s kitchen and keeps the ball low over the net. It is the most important shot in pickleball and separates beginners from intermediate players. Practice hitting soft, controlled dinks from the kitchen line — most points in recreational play are won and lost in dink exchanges.
STEP 5 — Learn the Scoring System
Games are typically played to 11 points and you must win by 2. Only the serving team can score points. In doubles — the most common format — both players on the serving team serve before the serve passes to the opponents. Learning proper scoring takes a few games to feel natural.
STEP 6 — Find Other Beginners to Play With
Most pickleball communities are extremely welcoming. Open play sessions at local courts allow you to show up without a partner and be matched with others at a similar skill level. Playing regularly with people slightly better than you improves your game faster than anything else.
Pro Tip
Q: What is the best tip for someone learning to get Started with Pickleball?
A: Stay at the kitchen line as much as possible during rallies. Beginners instinctively retreat to the baseline but the kitchen line is where points are controlled and won in pickleball. Getting comfortable at the net changes your game immediately.
SUPPLIES NEEDED
Pickleball paddle
Pickleballs indoor or outdoor
Comfortable court shoes
Athletic clothing
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