How to Play Pickleball: 7 Rules Every Beginner Should Know

Introduction

If you’ve recently found yourself in a conversation where the word pickleball kept popping up, you’re not alone. This sport is sweeping the world, pulling in players of all ages, from retirees looking for a new hobby to college students wanting a fun way to stay active.

I remember my first time stepping onto a pickleball court I was confident, fresh off years of table tennis and badminton. Surely, I thought, this would be a breeze. Ten minutes in, I was wildly swinging at shots, stepping into the dreaded kitchen (we’ll get to that), and completely misunderstanding why my opponent kept shouting “two-bounce rule!” It was humbling. But once I got the easy pickleball rules down, I was hooked.

What You Need to Play Pickleball

Before diving into the pickleball court rules, let’s start with what you’ll need:

• A pickleball paddle – Larger than a ping-pong paddle but smaller than a tennis racket.
• A pickleball – It looks like a wiffle ball and comes in indoor and outdoor varieties.
• A pickleball court – It’s about one-third the size of a tennis court, with a non-volley zone called the kitchen.
• Comfortable athletic wear and shoes – Court shoes work best for quick lateral movements.

Got all that? Great! Now let’s talk about the Seven easy pickleball rules you need to know before stepping onto the court.

1. The Court and Equipment: Know Your Playground

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of rules, let’s talk about where you’ll be playing. Pickleball courts are similar to badminton courts but smaller than a tennis court. They measure 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, with a net that stands at 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches at the center.

You’ll need a paddle (which is larger than a ping-pong paddle but smaller than a tennis racket) and a lightweight plastic ball with holes, similar to a wiffle ball. Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles, though doubles is more common and personally, way more fun.

2. The Double Bounce Rule: Slow Down, Speedster

One of the most important and unique pickleball rules is the double bounce rule. When the ball is served, it must bounce once on the receiver’s side and then once on the server’s side before players can start hitting volleys (hitting the ball before it bounces).

This rule prevents super-aggressive play right from the start and keeps the game fair. I learned this the hard way when I immediately rushed the net and smashed a volley off the serve, only to have my opponent shake their head and point out, “You gotta let it bounce first!” Oops.

So, remember: serve, bounce, return, bounce, then go crazy.

3. The Non-Volley Zone (a.k.a. The Kitchen): Stay Out…or Else

Ah, the kitchen. No, it’s not where you make snacks between games. It’s the 7-foot zone on both sides of the net where volleys (hitting the ball before it bounces) are not allowed.

Why? Because pickleball is meant to be a game of strategy, not just brute force. If players were allowed to volley right at the net, every point would end in a smash-fest. The kitchen keeps things balanced and forces players to think about placement, not just power.

You can step into the kitchen to hit a ball that has bounced, but you cannot step inside and volley. Even if your momentum carries you in after a volley it’s a fault. I once lost a game because of a tiny toe slipping into the kitchen. It’s brutal, but fair.

4. Pickleball Service Rules: Keep It Underhand and Keep It Clean

Unlike tennis, where powerful overhand serves are the norm, pickleball requires underhand serves. Here’s what you need to know:

• The ball must be hit below your waist.
• The paddle must be moving in an upward motion at contact.
• The serve must land diagonally across the court in the opponent’s service box.
• You only get one serve attempt (unless the ball clips the net and still lands in the correct box, which is a let and gets replayed).

Newbies often forget the underhand rule and try to serve like a tennis player don’t be that person. Keep it simple, controlled, and precise.

5. Scoring System: Why Can’t I Win Points on Defense?

Wondering what is pickleball game scoring like? Pickleball’s scoring system confuses many beginners because you can only score points when serving. If your team is serving and wins the rally, you get a point. If your opponent wins the rally, they don’t get a point, but they do get the serve.

Games are typically played to 11 points, but you have to win by at least two points. In doubles, each player on a team gets a chance to serve before the serve switches to the opponents (except at the very start of the game, where only one player serves before switching).

If you get confused, don’t worry everyone does at first. Just play a few games, and it’ll start clicking.

6. Faults and Rule Violations: Oops, That’s a Point for Them

There are several ways to commit a fault in pickleball, which results in losing the rally. Here are the most common mistakes:

• Hitting the ball out of bounds (anything outside the court lines).
• Volleying from inside the kitchen (or stepping into the kitchen after a volley).
• Not letting the ball bounce on the first two hits (see double-bounce rule).
• Serving incorrectly (hitting the ball above waist level or missing the correct service box).

The best way to avoid faults? Slow down, focus on control, and don’t be afraid to ask your opponent if you’re unsure about a call.

7. Let Serves & Replays: Do-Overs Exist

A let serve happens when your serve clips the net but still lands in the opponent’s service box. In this case, you simply replay the serve no harm, no foul.

Other situations where a rally may be replayed include:

• A distraction or interference on the court (like a rogue ball rolling in from another game).
• A disagreement on a call that can’t be resolved (though honesty is key in pickleball).

If you’re new, don’t hesitate to ask for a replay if something seems off most experienced players are understanding.

Types of Shots in Pickleball

Once you know how to play pickleball, it’s time to level up your skills with different types of shots:

• Dinks: Soft shots that land just over the net.
• Volleys: Hitting the ball before it bounces.
• Lobs: High shots that force opponents to move back.
• Drives: Fast, powerful shots aimed at your opponent’s feet.

Mastering these shots makes you a more strategic and unpredictable player.

How to Serve in Pickleball (and Not Mess It Up)

A strong serve sets the tone for the rally. Here’s how to avoid common mistakes:

1. Stand behind the baseline.
2. Use a low-to-high underhand motion.
3. Aim diagonally across the net.
4. Follow through smoothly to generate power and accuracy.

Pro Tip: Keep your serve simple and consistent! A fancy serve won’t help if it doesn’t land in bounds.

Common Beginner Mistakes

If you’re new to pickleball, here are some mistakes to watch out for:

• Standing too far back – Try to stay near the kitchen line for better control.
• Forgetting the double-bounce rule – Many beginners start volleying too soon!
• Overhitting – Power isn’t everything; placement is key.
• Not calling out the score – Always announce the score before serving to keep everyone on the same page.

Tips for Pickleball Beginners

If you’re just getting started, here are my top beginner tips:

• Stay light on your feet – Be ready to move forward or sideways at all times.
• Communicate with your partner – In doubles, teamwork is key!
• Play at the kitchen line – Staying near the net improves your control and reaction time.
• Practice patience – Pickleball is more about placement than power.

Find Pickleball Courts Near You

Looking for a place to play? You can find courts near you on the Khelomore App. Click here to download the app

Final Thoughts

Now that you know the basic pickleball rules, you’re ready to hit the court with confidence! Whether you’re playing for fun, fitness, or competition, this sport is all about strategy, movement, and a little bit of laughter.

So grab your paddle, find a court, and start playing. You might just become addicted like the rest of us!

Now Get Out There and Play!

Now that you know how to play pickleball with these seven easy pickleball rules, you’ll be ready to hit the court without second-guessing every call.

Start slow, focus on control, and most importantly have fun. Because once you start playing, trust me, you won’t want to stop.

If you’re ready to get on the court, grab a paddle, find a local game, and let the dinks begin! (And if you don’t know what dinking is yet don’t worry, that’s a lesson for another day.)

What’s your biggest struggle as a beginner in pickleball? Drop a comment below, and let’s talk!

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