Introduction

We might have already said that pickleball is the sport that’s sweeping the USA, but did you know that it is currently played by more than 36 million people worldwide? Well, any game that can be played by anyone from 8 to 80 years old is guaranteed to become a national success, and pickleball isn’t any different, it’s easy on the joints and has a smaller foot print than the usual tennis court making it easier, fun to play and just a great way to stay active. Hell, you could even play after having a few drinks and by all means you would still be able to score a few points - but, a quick reminder: we’re not recommending you do that for obvious legal reasons and especially if you’re on the under 21 category.

In our learning section you’ll notice that we have longer articles with a bit more technical detail and information compared to our usual blog posts and news articles. Regardless, this is meant to be an easy going and fun read where you’ll learn the basics of pickleball and how to get started.

1 - Getting started

First things first, gather your equipment. You'll need a pickleball paddle, a pickleball, and a net. The net should be set up at a height of 36 inches at the center, and 34 inches at the sides.

Next, familiarize yourself with the court layout. Pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court, which measures 20 feet by 44 feet. The non-volley zone, also known as the "kitchen," is the area within 7 feet of the net on either side.

Now, let's get into some of the rules. The game is played with 2 or 4 players, and the objective is to hit the ball over the net and into the opponent's side of the court. The ball must be served diagonally, and points are scored when the opposing team is unable to return the ball or hits it out of bounds.

The game begins with a serve. The server must hit the ball underhand, and it must land within the non-volley zone on the opponent's side of the court. From there, players take turns hitting the ball back and forth over the net, trying to score points.

But don't just stop there, folks. As with any sport, practice makes perfect. The more you play, the better you will become at pickleball. Try to focus on improving your footwork, your swings, and your positioning on the court.

Items needed

Pickleball paddle
Pickleball
Pickleball net (your neighborhood tennis courts might already have nets - keep an eye out)

2 - Pickleball rules

Listen up, folks. You bought your equipment, you found a nice court in your neighborhood to play pickleball, now it’s time to familiarize yourself with the rules. And, let me tell ya, the rules are relatively simple and easy to understand.

The game is played with 2 or 4 players, and the objective is to hit the ball over the net and into the opponent's side of the court - when we say pickleball is a the lovechild of tennis, badminton and ping pong, we are not joking.

Points are scored when the opposing team is unable to return the ball or hits it out of bounds.

The ball is then served diagonally, and the server must hit the ball underhand (hitting the ball with a swing that hits from the bottom in the up direction). The ball must land within the non-volley zone (also known as the "kitchen") on the opponent's side of the court. Hold up, I believe you might be asking yourself: what is the non-volley zone? The non-volley zone is the area within 7 feet of the net on either side. And if you don’t know what volley means, well, basically you can’t smash the ball down when the ball is in that area. Take a look at the picture below to get a better understanding.

After the serve, players take turns hitting the ball back and forth over the net - try to stay active and get a nice rally going. The ball can be hit with the paddle or hand, but it cannot be caught or carried. If the ball touches the player's body, it is considered a fault.

When the ball is hit, it must clear the net and land within the opponent's side of the court. If the ball hits the net and goes over, it is called a "let" and the point is replayed. If the ball hits the net and goes into the opponent's court, it is considered a fault. The first team to reach 11 points (with a lead of at least 2 points) wins the game. If the score reaches 10-10, the game continues until one team has a lead of 2 points. Pickleball also has a "double-bounce rule," which means that on the first hit, the ball must bounce on both team's side before it can be hit again. This rule applies only to the serve and the return of serve.

In summary, the main rules of pickleball are:

The game is played on a badminton-sized court with a net set at a specific height.
The objective is to hit the ball over the net and into the opponent's side of the court.
The ball must be served diagonally and underhand, and it must land within the non-volley zone.
The ball can be hit with the paddle or hand, but it cannot be caught or carried.
The ball must clear the net and land within the opponent's side of the court.
The team that reaches 11 points first with a lead of at least 2 points, wins the game
The "double-bounce rule" applies only to the serve and the return of the serve.

3 - How to improve your game

Pickleball is a blast to play. But if you want to take your game to the next level, you gotta focus on the little things. And by little things, I mean footwork, swings, and positioning on the court. These are the three pillars of pickleball greatness, and if you master 'em, you'll be owning the court in no time.

First up, footwork. You gotta be able to move around the court like a damn ballerina if you want to win. Here's how:

Keep your knees bent. This will make it easier to change direction and move quickly.
Take small, quick steps. It's all about quickness and reaction time, not lumbering around like a sloth.
Keep your balance. If you're leaning too far forward or backward, you're screwed.

Next, swings. A good swing is the difference between a weak, flimsy shot and a powerful, game-winning one. Here's how:

Keep your grip relaxed. A tight grip will just slow you down.
Wrist action is key. A good flick of the wrist can add spin and accuracy to your shots.
Use your legs. They're your power source, so don't neglect 'em.

Finally, positioning on the court. You gotta be in the right place at the right time if you wanna hit that ball. Here's how:

Anticipate the ball. Try to guess where it's gonna land and position yourself accordingly.
Move your feet. Don't be afraid to shuffle around to get to that ball.
Stay low. A low center of gravity will help you change direction quickly and reach those tough shots.

So there you have it, folks. The secret to pickleball greatness. Master these three areas, and you'll be a pickleball God or Goddess in no time. Now get out there and start dominating!

4 - Useful information

If you're looking for more useful information, such as: what paddles to buy, what kind of pickleballs you should get, proper setup of a pickleball court and more, you're at the right place.

We prepared a collection of links and useful information for you!

Setting up for Pickleball - This is a great resource that goes into detail on how to setup your own pickleball court.
Best Pickleball Paddles - Detailed article on the best pickleball paddles out there - for beginners or pro's!
Which pickleball to get - There are so many pickleballs to choose from - am I in a pickle? No, you're not! Read this article to understand the differences between the different pickleball types.