Get Equipped
Grab a pickleball paddle and a perforated plastic ball. Wear comfortable athletic shoes with good court traction.
Your guide to the game
Learn theGame.Own the court.
New to pickleball? You're in the right place. Learn the essentials, understand the rules, and step onto the court ready to play.
01Know your
equipment
equipment
02Understand
the court
the court
03Learn the
rules
rules
04Get ready
to play
to play
Start hereThe game.
The game.
Simplified.
Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Use your paddle to send the ball over the net and keep the rally alive.
Start the Rally
Serve diagonally into the opposite service court. The serve must clear the kitchen and land in the correct service area.
Keep It Going
Return the ball over the net. Follow the two-bounce rule, then volley or play the ball after a bounce when permitted.
Win the Point
Make your opponent miss, hit the ball out, or commit a fault. Under traditional scoring, only the serving side scores.
Know your playing field
Every line
Every line
has a purpose.
Understanding the court makes it easier to position yourself, serve correctly, and avoid common faults.
01
The Baseline
The back boundary of each side. The server positions behind the baseline when serving.
02
The Service Courts
The areas left and right of the center line. A legal serve lands diagonally in the opposite service court.
03
The Kitchen
The seven-foot non-volley zone on both sides of the net. You cannot volley while touching this zone or its line.
The rules that matter
Play smart.
Play smart.
Play fair.
Master these four fundamentals first. Select a topic to see how it works and what to watch out for.
Every rally
starts here.
Under the standard volley serve, contact the ball below waist level with an upward paddle motion. Keep both feet behind the baseline when striking the ball, and serve diagonally into the opposite service court. A drop serve is also permitted under standard rules.
Remember this
A serve that lands in the kitchen, including on its boundary line, is a fault. A serve touching the net is legal if it lands in the correct service court.
Let it bounce.
Then take control.
After the serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce before returning it. The serving team must then let that return bounce too. After those first two bounces, either team may volley or play the ball after a bounce.
Remember this
Serve → one bounce on the receiving side → return → one bounce on the serving side. Only after both bounces can a volley be used.
The kitchen
changes everything.
You may enter the non-volley zone at any time. However, you cannot volley the ball while touching the kitchen or its boundary line. Your momentum after a volley must not carry you into the zone either.
Remember this
You can step into the kitchen to play a ball that has bounced. You must establish yourself outside the zone before volleying.
Keep the rally
alive.
A fault ends the rally. Common examples include hitting the ball out of bounds, failing to clear the net, volleying before the required bounces, or committing a kitchen violation.
Remember this
Boundary lines are generally in, except the kitchen line on a serve: a serve touching that line is a fault. If unsure, agree on the rules before starting play.
0—0—2
SERVING TEAM — RECEIVING TEAM — SERVER NUMBER
Understand the score
Three numbers.
Three numbers.
One game.
In traditional doubles scoring, the score is called with three numbers. The third identifies the server; the starting team begins as server number 2.
First number
The serving team's score.
Second number
The receiving team's score.
Third number
Which server is serving: 1 or 2.
Winning points
Commonly played to 11, win by 2. Other formats may differ.
Before you step on courtYour first game.
Your first game.
Your next level.
You don't need to master every shot to have fun. Start with good habits, talk to your partner, and let experience build your confidence.
01CONTROL
Start with soft shots
Focus on control and placement instead of hitting every ball as hard as you can. Consistency keeps rallies going.
02POSITION
Move with your partner
In doubles, communicate and move together. Cover your space and avoid leaving large gaps for your opponents.
03CONFIDENCE
Learn as you play
Mistakes are part of learning. Ask questions, practice your serve, and enjoy each rally. Your game improves with time.
04 / Make your move
Your next game
Your next game
starts here.
Choose what you need, then pick your time. Book a court, work with a coach, or reserve a paddle.