How to play Pickleball (beginner guide)

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If you’ve ever wondered why everyone’s suddenly obsessed with pickleball, you’re not alone. It’s the sport that’s taken the world by storm—part tennis, part badminton, and a little ping-pong, all rolled into one seriously fun game.

Whether you’re looking to break a sweat, enjoy some friendly competition, or just try something new, pickleball is the perfect pick. The best part? It’s super easy to learn and doesn’t require a ton of fancy gear or experience to get started.

Picture this: a compact court, a lightweight paddle, and a wiffle-like ball that’s just begging to be hit. It’s the ideal game for beginners because it’s as much about strategy and placement as it is about power. Plus, the rules are straightforward, so you’ll be playing confidently in no time. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

Getting started

Starting your pickleball journey is simpler than you might think. This sport is all about accessibility and fun, so whether you’re a seasoned athlete or someone who hasn’t touched a paddle in years, you can jump right in.

To begin, you’ll need a flat playing surface—most commonly a tennis court, a dedicated pickleball court, or even a marked-out space in your driveway or local park. The key is finding an area that’s about the size of a badminton court, with enough room to move around comfortably.

Next, familiarize yourself with the basic rules. Don’t worry—pickleball isn’t a game that’ll leave you buried in complicated instructions. At its core, the goal is to score points by hitting the ball over the net and into the opponent’s court while keeping it in play.

Games are typically played to 11 points (win by two), and the serve alternates between players or teams. A quick online search or a glance at this guide will give you a solid foundation.

Finally, grab a partner or a group of friends to make it social! Pickleball can be played one-on-one (singles) or with a teammate (doubles). Either way, the focus is on enjoying the game and getting into the rhythm. Start with a casual rally to get the hang of the ball’s bounce and the paddle’s feel. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you can get a handle on things and start having fun.

Equipment required to play Pickleball

One of the best things about pickleball? You don’t need to spend a fortune on fancy gear to get started. Seriously, it’s all about keeping it simple and fun. Let’s break down the basics you’ll need before you hit the court.

1. Pickleball Paddle

First up, the paddle. Think of it as a mix between a ping-pong paddle and a tennis racket—lightweight and easy to handle. You’ll find paddles made of wood (super budget-friendly), composite, or graphite.

If you’re just starting, go for a lighter paddle that’s easier to swing. Once you’re more confident, you can experiment with different styles to find one that matches your vibe—whether you want more power or control.

2. Pickleball

Now for the ball. It’s lightweight, plastic, and full of holes—literally! There are indoor and outdoor versions. Indoor balls are softer and have smaller holes, while outdoor ones are a bit tougher and designed to handle wind. Honestly, any standard pickleball will do when you’re just starting out.

3. Shoes

You’ve gotta have the right shoes—this isn’t the time for your old running sneakers. Pickleball involves quick side-to-side movements, so you’ll want court shoes with good grip and support. They’ll keep you steady on your feet and help you avoid any awkward slips.

4. Extras

If you’re playing outside, you might want to throw in some sunscreen, a hat, and maybe sunglasses to keep the sun out of your eyes. And hey, if you’re feeling fancy, there’s plenty of pickleball-themed gear to show off your style on the court.

That’s it! Just a paddle, a ball, and a place to play, and you’re ready to roll. Easy, right? Once you’ve got your gear sorted, it’s time to set up your game and dive into the action!

How to set up a Pickleball game

Setting up a pickleball game is easier than you might think—it’s all about having the right space, equipment, and a few simple steps to get things going. Whether you’re playing on a dedicated court or improvising in a park or driveway, here’s how to set up for success.

1. Find a Suitable Space

The first thing you’ll need is a flat surface that’s about the size of a badminton court—20 feet wide and 44 feet long. If you’re playing outdoors, a tennis court works great; many facilities now have pickleball lines marked.

Nowadays, there are tons of pickleball courts available for rent, making it super easy to find a place to play. If you live in the U.S., check out our article, 5 of the Best Outdoor Pickleball Courts in the U.S., for some recommendations. These spots are perfect for players of all levels and come with well-maintained courts ready for action.

2. Gather Your Equipment

Double-check that you have all the essentials: paddles, a pickleball, and proper footwear. If you’re playing doubles, you’ll need four paddles, but for singles, just two paddles and a ball will do. Remember, indoor and outdoor balls are slightly different, so pick the right one based on where you’re playing.

3. Organize Teams and Serve

Decide if you’re playing singles or doubles and set up the teams. To determine who serves first, flip a coin or play rock-paper-scissors—it’s all in good fun! The serve starts from the right-hand side of the court, and the serving team alternates sides after each point.

Once everything’s in place, you’re ready to play! The beauty of pickleball is how quick and easy it is to set up. So, grab your gear, rally your crew, and enjoy the game—it’s that simple!

Types of shots in Pickleball

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Pickleball is all about mixing power, precision, and strategy. Each type of shot serves a specific purpose, and knowing how to execute them can elevate your game. Let’s dive into the key shots you’ll use during a match:

1. Drives

Drives are powerful, straightforward shots typically hit off the bounce, often from the baseline. You can use either a forehand or backhand swing to deliver a fast-paced shot aimed at keeping your opponent on the defensive. Drives are perfect for building momentum and setting up offensive plays.

2. Drop shots

A drop shot is your go-to move when you want to control the pace of the game. Played from the back of the court, these shots are softly hit to land in your opponent’s kitchen (the non-volley zone), forcing them to move forward and limiting their ability to attack. Mastering drop shots is a great way to disrupt aggressive players.

3. Dinks

Think of the dink as a close-range drop shot. Played near the net, it’s a soft touch shot aimed at your opponent’s kitchen. Dinks are all about precision and control, helping you neutralize an aggressive rally and create opportunities for a winning play.

3. Volleys

Volleys are shots taken out of the air before the ball has a chance to bounce. These are played outside the kitchen and are ideal for keeping the pressure on your opponent. A well-timed volley can turn defense into offense in an instant, making it a crucial tool for dominating the net.

5. Lobs

A lob is a high-arching shot designed to push your opponent toward the back of the court. It’s a smart move when you’re under pressure near the net or want to reset the rally. But be careful—a poorly placed lob can set your opponent up for an overhead smash.

6. Overheads

Overhead shots are your opportunity to end a rally with authority. These are hit above your head using a tennis serving motion, typically to counter a poorly executed lob. Overheads are fast and aggressive, making them one of the most effective ways to secure a point.

Each of these shots plays a vital role in pickleball, and learning when and how to use them is key to becoming a well-rounded player. Practice them individually, then incorporate them into your game strategy to keep your opponent's guessing and stay ahead of the competition!

Every rally in pickleball starts with a serve, but unlike tennis, the goal here isn’t power—it’s to get the ball into play. A good serve sets the tone for the rally, so knowing the rules and mastering some techniques can make all the difference. Let’s break it down step by step.

How to serve in pickleball

The rules of serving

The pickleball serve must follow some specific rules to be considered legal:

Underhand motion:

The serve must be struck with an underhand stroke and contact with the ball must happen below the waist (roughly at navel level).

Upward arc:

Your arm should move in an upward arc as you strike the ball. Importantly, the highest point of the paddle head must be below your wrist when you make contact.

Drop serve option:

If hitting the ball directly out of the air feels tricky, you can use the "drop serve." Introduced in 2021, this rule allows you to drop the ball and hit it after it bounces. This option gives beginners an easier way to serve legally.

Where to serve

In doubles pickleball, you always serve to the diagonally opposite service court. For a serve to count, it must:

• Completely clear the kitchen line.
• Land between the sideline and baseline of the opponent’s service area.

The serve can touch the baseline or sideline, but if it lands on the kitchen line, it’s a fault.

Where to stand

When serving, you must stand behind the baseline. Your feet cannot touch the baseline or sideline during the serve. To avoid violating the two-bounce rule, remain behind the baseline after serving until the third shot has been played. On the returning side, players can use a “one-up, one-back” formation to prepare for volleys.

Serving strategies

While the serve’s main purpose is to start the game, it can also be a strategic weapon. Here are three effective serving strategies to up your game:

Serve deep:

A deep serve forces your opponent to stay at the baseline longer, keeping them away from the offensive position at the kitchen line.

Target weaknesses:

Identify your opponent’s weaker side—whether it’s their forehand or backhand—and aim your serves there. This can lead to more errors and easier returns for you.

Add spin:

For advanced players, adding spin can make the ball’s bounce unpredictable, creating challenges for your opponent. Use your paddle angle during follow-through to apply spin effectively.

What makes a serve illegal?

An illegal serve happens when any of these rules are broken:

• The ball doesn’t land in the correct service area.
• The server’s motion isn’t underhand or upward.
• Contact with the ball happens above the waist.
• The server’s feet touch the baseline or sideline during the serve.
• It’s not the server’s turn according to the rotation order.

Common serving mistakes

Even experienced players can make serving errors. Watch out for these common mistakes:

• Foot faults: Stepping on or over the baseline or sideline during the serve.
• Pre-spun serve: Spinning the ball before hitting it, which is not allowed.
• Net hits: Hitting the ball into the net or into the kitchen, including the kitchen line.
• Missed serve: Serving into the wrong section of the court or outside the boundaries.

By mastering the rules and refining your serving technique, you can serve with confidence and set yourself up for a strong rally. Remember: a good serve isn’t just about following the rules—it’s about using strategy to gain an edge on the court!

Starting a game of pickleball and keeping score might seem tricky at first, but once you understand the process, it becomes second nature. Whether you’re playing singles or doubles, the rules ensure fair play and an exciting game. Let’s go through how to begin a match and track the score for both formats.

How to start a game & keep score

How to start a game

Decide who serves first

According to the USA Pickleball rulebook, any fair method can be used to determine the starting server. This could be a coin toss, rock-paper-scissors, or a local rule, such as the north side always serving first. Once the serving team is decided, the server on the right-hand side of the court begins the game.

Announce the starting score

• In singles: The server calls out their score first, followed by the opponent’s score (e.g., “0-0”).
• In doubles: The first server announces "0-0-2." The "2" indicates that only one serve is allowed during the first rotation before a side-out occurs, and the serve moves to the opposing team.

Two-bounce rule

The rally begins with the two-bounce rule in effect. After the serve, the ball must bounce once on the receiving team’s side and once on the serving team’s side before any player can volley (hit the ball out of the air). This rule ensures a fair and strategic start to the rally.

How to keep score

Singles scoring

Singles scoring is simple, as there’s only one player per side. Here’s how it works:

• Serve position: The server always serves from the right side of the court when their score is even (0, 2, 4) and from the left side when their score is odd (1, 3, 5).
• Calling the score: The server announces their own score first, followed by the opponent’s score (e.g., “2-3”).
• Rotation: There’s only one serve per rotation. If the server loses the rally, it’s a side-out, and the opponent gets the serve.

Doubles scoring

Doubles scoring introduces more complexity because each team has two players and serves alternate between them. Here’s the breakdown:

Three-part score: The server announces the score in this order:

• The serving team’s score.
• The receiving team’s score.
• The server number (1 or 2).
• For example, "3-2-1" means the serving team has 3 points, the receiving team has 2, and it’s the first server’s turn.

Serve rotation:

• After the initial "0-0-2" serve, each team gets two serves per rotation—one for each player.
• The first server continues serving until they lose a rally, at which point the second server takes over.
• Once both servers on a team lose their serves, it becomes a side-out, and the serve passes to the opposing team.

Switching sides:

The serving team alternates positions (left or right side of the court) after scoring a point. Players only switch sides after scoring, not when losing a rally.

Winning the game

Most games are played to 11 points, and you must win by at least 2 points. In tournament play, games might extend to 15 or 21 points depending on the format. Additionally, teams switch sides when the total score (combined points of both teams) is a multiple of 6, ensuring fairness if environmental factors like wind or sun are a factor.

Key terms to remember

• Side-out: When the serving team loses its serves, and the serve passes to the opponents.
• Two-bounce rule: The ball must bounce once on each side after the serve before volleying is allowed.
• Three-part score: In doubles, always announce the serving team’s score, the receiving team’s score, and the server number.

Pickleball is more than just a game—it’s a perfect mix of fun, fitness, and strategy that brings people together. Whether you’re learning the basics, perfecting your serve, or competing in doubles, pickleball is a sport for everyone. It’s easy to start, but the opportunities for growth and competition make it endlessly exciting.

If you’re thinking about managing a pickleball court or already own one, there’s a way to make your operations smoother and more efficient. The secret weapon? An all-in-one pickleball court management software like Rezerv.

From scheduling bookings and handling payments to launching marketing campaigns, Rezerv is designed to simplify every aspect of running your business. With features that include automated tools, secure payment processing, and user-friendly scheduling, Rezerv lets you focus on growing your court community while it takes care of the admin.



So, whether you’re a player just stepping onto the court or a business owner looking to elevate your pickleball facility, Rezerv has you covered. Get ready to serve up success—both on and off the court—with the ultimate pickleball court management software!

Friska 🐨

Read next: 5 of the Best Outdoor Pickleball Courts in the U.S.