How to Play Pickleball: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Welcome to your ultimate guide on how to play pickleball, the fastest-growing paddle sport in the UK! Whether you’re a complete beginner or just looking to refine your skills, this page covers everything you need to know to get started, from basic rules to essential techniques and equipment.

What is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a fun, social, and accessible sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Played on a smaller court with a paddle and a perforated plastic ball, it’s perfect for all ages and fitness levels. With simple rules, fast gameplay, and a welcoming community, pickleball is an ideal sport for beginners and experienced players alike.

How to Play Pickleball: The Basics

Learning how to play pickleball is easy! Here’s a breakdown of the fundamental rules and gameplay:

1. The Court and Equipment

Court Size: Pickleball is played on a 20x44 ft court (same for singles and doubles)
Net Height: The net is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle
Paddle: Made of wood or composite materials, smaller than a tennis racquet
Ball: A perforated plastic ball, similar to a wiffle ball

2. Starting the Game

The game starts with a serve from behind the baseline, diagonally to the opponent’s service court.
Only underhand serves are allowed, and the ball must clear the non-volley zone (also called the kitchen).

3. Scoring System

Points are only scored by the serving side.
Games are usually played to 11 points, but a team must win by at least 2 points.

4. Key Rules to Remember

Double Bounce Rule: The ball must bounce once on each side before volleys are allowed.
Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen): Players cannot volley inside this 7-foot area near the net.
Faults: Hitting the ball out of bounds, stepping into the kitchen to volley, or failing to clear the net.

Essential Pickleball Skills for Beginners

To improve your game and enjoy pickleball for beginners, focus on these key skills:

Serving: Consistency is more important than power.
Dinking: Gentle shots into the kitchen to force errors.
Volleys: Quick reactions at the net for attacking play.
Footwork: Stay light on your feet and ready to move in all directions.
Strategy: Positioning and communication are key in doubles play.

Benefits of Playing Pickleball

Playing pickleball isn’t just fun—it’s also great for your health and social life:

Improves cardiovascular fitness and agility
Builds hand-eye coordination and reflexes
Encourages social interaction and teamwork
Accessible to players of all ages and fitness levels

Watch the videos below for a step-by-step guide to starting your pickleball journey.

Section 1: Basic Rules Overview

Pickleball is a mix of tennis, badminton, and table tennis – played on a smaller court with paddles and a perforated ball.

Key Points to Remember:

You serve underarm and diagonally
Each rally starts with a serve
The ball must bounce once on each side before volleys are allowed
Games are usually played to 11 (win by 2)

Section 2: The Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) aka “The Kitchen”

The Non-Volley Zone is the 7-foot area on both sides of the net. You can’t volley (hit without letting it bounce) while standing in or stepping into this area.

Things to know:

You can enter the NVZ only after the ball has bounced
Don’t step into the Kitchen while volleying — even by accident
The NVZ encourages slower, more controlled play at the net

Section 3: Serving in Pickleball

Serving in pickleball is always underhand and must land in the opposite service box.

Key serving rules:

Serve must be below waist height and paddled upward
Both feet behind baseline when serving
One serve attempt only (unless a let serve)

Section 4: Scoring Basics

Scoring can feel tricky at first – but don’t worry, it’ll soon click!

Things to remember:

You only score when your team is serving
Games are played to 11 points, win by 2
In doubles, you’ll hear 3 numbers when scoring:
e.g., “5 – 3 – 2” (server’s score – receiver’s score – server number)

✅ You’re Ready!

Take the next step in your pickleball journey—book a workshop now!