What Is Pickleball?
Pickleball is a paddle sport played on a court similar in size to a doubles badminton court, with a lower net and a smaller, perforated plastic ball. Invented in 1965, it combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong into one accessible game.
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States because it is easy for beginners to learn while still offering depth and strategy for advanced players. Players of all ages and fitness levels can enjoy competitive, fun rallies from day one.
What You Need to Play
The beauty of pickleball is how little you need to start. Here is the essential gear:
- A pickleball paddle — solid-faced and larger than a ping-pong paddle. New to the game? See our best pickleball paddles guide, which includes a dedicated section of beginner-friendly picks.
- A pickleball — a perforated plastic ball. Indoor balls have larger holes and a softer flight; outdoor balls are harder with smaller holes for windy conditions.
- A net — regulation height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the center. Portable nets make any flat surface playable.
- Court shoes — proper court shoes give you the lateral support running shoes can’t.
- A starter set — the easiest way to begin: paddles, balls (and sometimes a net) bundled together.
The Court & the Kitchen
A pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long—the same size for both singles and doubles play. The court is divided by a net that stands 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches in the center. On each side of the net is a 7-foot zone called the 'kitchen' (or non-volley zone). You may not volley—hit the ball out of the air—while standing in the kitchen or touching its line, and your momentum cannot carry you into it after a volley. Behind the kitchen on each side are the service courts, divided by a centerline.
How to Serve
The serve is the only shot that starts play. You have two options: the volley serve or the drop serve. Both must land in the opposite diagonal service court and cannot land in the kitchen or on the kitchen line.
- Volley serve: Serve underhand with the paddle contact below the waist (navel level), with the highest point of the paddle head below the wrist. The serve must be made diagonally cross-court from behind the baseline.
- Drop serve: Drop the ball and hit it after it bounces, with no below-the-waist restriction.
The Two-Bounce Rule
The double-bounce rule requires the ball to bounce once on each side before either team may volley. The serve must bounce on the receiving side, and the return of serve must bounce on the serving side. After both bounces have occurred, players may volley freely (outside the kitchen).
How Scoring Works
Games are played to 11 points, and you must win by 2. Only the serving side can score points. When the serving side commits a fault, they lose their serve (or in doubles, it passes to the next server); the receiving side does not score a point.
- In doubles, both players on a team get to serve before the serve passes to the opponents—except on the very first service turn of the game, when only one player serves.
- In doubles, the score is called as three numbers: the serving team's score, the receiving team's score, and the server number (1 or 2).
- Tournaments may play to 15 or 21 points instead of 11, but always win by 2.
Common Faults
A fault ends the rally. The serving team loses their serve (or in doubles, it passes to the next server on their team), and the receiving team may earn the right to serve. Common faults include:
- Hitting the ball out of bounds
- Hitting the ball into the net
- Volleying while in the kitchen or touching the kitchen line
- Missing the serve or serving into the wrong service court
- Violating the two-bounce rule by volleying before both sides have bounced the ball
Beginner Tips
- Focus on footwork and positioning. Move to the kitchen line (the 7-foot non-volley zone line) whenever possible; this is where most winning shots are made.
- Let the ball bounce. Many beginners rush to volley. Let serves and returns bounce first, especially when learning the game.
- Aim deep into the opponent's court rather than trying winners immediately. Depth and placement win points more often than speed.
- Get to the kitchen line as a team in doubles. Both players should move forward together to control the net and finish rallies.
- Communicate clearly with your doubles partner. Call the ball, claim your half of the court, and support each other on every shot.
Test Your Pickleball Knowledge
🏓 Test your Pickleball IQ
Five quick questions — answer, then check your score.
1. How many points do you need to win a standard game?
2. What is “the kitchen”?
3. Under the two-bounce rule, the ball must…
4. Which team can score a point (traditional scoring)?
5. A legal volley serve is…
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pickleball easy to learn?
Yes, pickleball is one of the easiest racket sports to learn, with most beginners able to enjoy rallies within their first session. The smaller court, slower ball speed, and simpler rules make it accessible for players of all ages and fitness levels.
What equipment do I need to start playing pickleball?
You'll need a pickleball paddle (lighter and smaller than a tennis racket), a pickleball (a plastic ball with holes), and proper court shoes with good lateral support. Most facilities provide balls, and many offer paddles to borrow, so you can try the sport affordably before investing in your own gear.
What is the kitchen in pickleball?
The kitchen is the 7-foot non-volley zone on both sides of the net where you cannot hit the ball in the air. You can enter the kitchen to hit a bounced ball, but you must exit before hitting your next volley.
How does scoring work in pickleball?
Only the serving team can score points, and games are typically played to 11 points (win by 2). In doubles, both players on the serving team get to serve before the serve switches to the opposing team, except at the start of the game when only one player serves.
Can you play singles pickleball?
Yes, pickleball can be played as singles (one-on-one) or doubles (two-on-two), and both formats are popular. Singles play is faster-paced and more demanding, while doubles is more social and easier on the joints.
What's the difference between indoor and outdoor pickleball balls?
Indoor balls have larger, fewer holes and are softer, making them slower and better for controlled play on hard courts. Outdoor balls have smaller, more numerous holes and are harder, allowing them to handle rough surfaces and wind while traveling faster.
Ready to get on the court?
Grab everything you need to start in our starter sets and pickleball paddles collections — or read our best pickleball paddles guide to pick your first paddle.