How to Play Pickleball: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners (Updated 2026)
Have you heard all the excitement about pickleball and wondered how to join in on the fun?
You’ve come to the right place. This ultimate beginner’s guide explains how to play pickleball, including the basic rules, court positions, scoring, serving, singles and doubles play, and the gear you need to get started.
What Is Pickleball?
Pickleball is a racket sport played with solid paddles and a perforated plastic ball. It combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, but it has its own rules and strategies.
Pickleball is easy to learn and accessible to players of many ages and athletic backgrounds. Once you understand the serve, scoring system, two-bounce rule and non-volley zone—or “kitchen”—you’ll be ready to play your first game.
Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles. Doubles is the most common format and is where many beginners start because it requires less individual court coverage and emphasizes teamwork and communication.
A regulation pickleball court measures 20 feet wide by 44 feet long for both singles and doubles. The net is 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches high in the center. A seven-foot kitchen/non-volley zone extends from each side of the net.
What You Need to Play Pickleball
You only need a few basic items to get started:
A pickleball paddle
Pickleballs appropriate for indoor or outdoor play
A pickleball court and net
Comfortable athletic clothing
Tennis or pickleball court shoes
Beginners do not need to purchase the most expensive paddle available. Start with a comfortable paddle that is easy to maneuver and provides a balance of power and control.
Game-Set-Match offers a pickleball paddle demo program that allows players to try up to three paddles at a time for five days. Demos are $10 per paddle and gives players a chance to compare differences in power, control, spin, touch and comfort before making a purchase.
For more guidance on choosing the right paddle, see our blog: How to Choose a Pickleball Paddle.
Pickleball Terms Every Beginner Should Know
Before learning how a point works, familiarize yourself with these common pickleball terms:
Baseline: The line at the back of each side of the court.
Sideline: The boundary line running along each side of the court.
Centerline: The line dividing the left and right service courts.
Service box: The two larger boxes at the back of the court.
Kitchen/Non-volley zone: The seven-foot box on each side of the net.
Kitchen line: The line separating the kitchen from the rest of the court.
Groundstroke: A shot hit after the ball bounces on your side.
Volley: Hitting the ball before it has a chance to bounce on your side.
Dink: A soft shot hit into the opponent’s kitchen.
Rally: The sequence of shots exchanged after the serve.
Fault: A rule violation that ends the rally.
Side-out: The current serving team has lost two points, and the other team gets to serve now.
Cross-court: The area diagonally across from a player.
Down the line: A shot traveling generally parallel to the sideline.
The Five Basic Rules of Pickleball
Pickleball has many detailed rules, but beginners can start by remembering these five:
1. Serve Diagonally
A serve is made from behind the baseline and must travel diagonally into the opponent’s service box. The ball must clear the kitchen and the kitchen line.
A ball that lands on the centerline, sideline or baseline of the correct service court is in. A serve that lands on the kitchen line is a fault.
2. Follow the Two-Bounce Rule
After the serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce before returning it. The serving team must then let the return bounce before hitting its next shot.
Once the ball has bounced once on each side, either team may hit the ball after a bounce or volley it out of the air. This is officially called the two-bounce rule, although some players still refer to it as the double-bounce rule.
3. Don’t Volley From the Kitchen
You may not volley while standing in the kitchen or touching the kitchen line. It is also a fault if your momentum carries you into the kitchen after hitting a volley—even when the ball has already become dead.
You may step into the kitchen at any time to play a ball that has bounced. You may also stand in the kitchen when you are not volleying, although doing so may leave you in a difficult position.
4. Only the Serving Team Scores in Traditional Scoring
Under traditional side-out scoring, only the serving team can earn a point. When the receiving team wins the rally, it earns the serve but not a point.
Rally scoring, in which a point is awarded after every rally, is also used in certain leagues, events and formats. This blog focuses primarily on traditional side-out scoring, so check the rules used by your league or facility before playing.
5. Most Games Are Played to 11
Traditional games are normally played to 11 points, and the winning team must lead by at least two points. However, this scoring is sometimes modified in tournaments, leagues and recreational play.
How Pickleball Scoring Works
Pickleball scoring can feel confusing at first, especially during doubles. It becomes easier once you understand what each number represents.
How to Call the Score in Doubles
The server is responsible for calling the score before starting each point. This consists of three numbers:
The serving team’s score
The receiving team’s score
The server number—either server one or server two
For example, a score of 4-6-2 means:
The serving team has four points.
The receiving team has six points.
The serving player is the second server in the team’s current service turn.
At the beginning of a doubles game, the team serving first receives only one serving opportunity instead of two. This reduces the advantage of serving first.
The opening server is therefore identified as server two, and the game begins with the score 0-0-2.
When that team loses the rally, the serve immediately passes to the opposing team. After the opening service turn, both partners on each team have an opportunity to serve before a side-out occurs.
Where Players Should Stand at the Beginning of a Point
Positioning is partly determined by the rules and partly by good strategy.
Serving Team
Both players on the serving team should generally begin near the baseline.
The serve must bounce before the receiving team hits it, and the return must then bounce before the serving team hits its next shot. Starting near the baseline makes it easier for the serving team to play that return after the required bounce.
Receiving Team
The designated receiver should stand near or behind the baseline because the serve must bounce before being returned.
The receiver’s partner can begin near the kitchen line because that player is not required to hit the serve. After returning the ball, the receiver should generally move forward toward the kitchen line and join their partner.
How to Serve in Pickleball
A pickleball point begins with either a volley serve or a drop serve. Only one serve attempt is allowed unless play is stopped for another reason under the rules.
The server must stand behind the baseline, and at least one foot must remain on the playing surface or ground behind the baseline when the ball is struck. The server’s feet may not touch the court, baseline or area outside the imaginary extensions of the sideline and centerline during contact.
The Volley Serve
Toss/drop the ball and hit it out of the air to start the point. It’s important to note that this method has a few requirements:
The serving arm must move in an upward arc when the ball is struck.
Contact with the ball must occur below the waist.
The highest point of the paddle head must not be above the highest part of the wrist at contact.
The serve must travel diagonally into the correct service court.
The Drop Serve
For a drop serve, release the ball and allow it to bounce before hitting it. The ball must be released naturally without adding force or spin. Once the ball bounces, the upward-arc, waist and paddle-position requirements of the volley serve do not apply.
How Doubles Rotation Works
Doubles positioning is one of the most confusing parts of pickleball for new players.
Remember this simple rule:
The serving team switches sides only when it scores a point. The receiving team does not switch sides during the opponent’s service turn.
Here is the basic sequence:
The player on the right serves diagonally into the opposite service box.
If the serving team wins the rally, it earns a point.
The same server switches sides with their partner and serves again.
The server continues switching sides after each point scored.
When the first server loses a rally, the partner becomes the second server.
When the second server loses a rally, a side-out occurs.
The opposing team gains the serve, beginning with the player positioned on the right.
The server number applies only to the team’s current service turn. A player is not permanently server one or server two for the entire game.
The Even-and-Odd Positioning Trick
Keep track of which player began the game on the right side for each team. When that player is on the right, the team’s score should be even. When that player is on the left, the team’s score should be odd. This provides a quick way to check whether the score and player positions are correct.
How to Play a Pickleball Point
Here is a typical doubles point from beginning to end:
The server calls the score.
The server hits the ball diagonally into the correct service box.
The receiving team lets the serve bounce and returns the ball.
The serving team lets the ball bounce and returns it.
After those two required bounces, players may volley or play the ball after a bounce.
The rally continues until a team commits a fault.
Common faults include:
Hitting the ball into the net.
Hitting the ball out of bounds.
Allowing the ball to bounce twice.
Volleying before the two-bounce rule is satisfied.
Volleying while touching the kitchen or kitchen line.
Being carried into the kitchen by momentum after a volley.
Committing a serving violation.
Touching the net or net post while the ball is in play.
Pickleball Kitchen Rules
The kitchen is the 7-foot non-volley zone on each side of the net. Despite its nickname, players are allowed to enter this area. The restriction applies specifically to volleys.
You may:
Enter the kitchen to hit a ball after it bounces.
Remain in the kitchen when you are not volleying.
Reach over the kitchen line to volley as long as you do not touch the zone or its line.
You may not:
Volley while standing in the kitchen.
Touch the kitchen line while volleying.
Allow your paddle, clothing or anything you are carrying to touch the kitchen during a volley.
Allow your momentum to carry you into the kitchen after a volley.
After entering the kitchen, both feet must reestablish contact outside the zone before you may legally volley again.
Pickleball Line Calls and Etiquette
Pickleball is often played without referees, so players are responsible for making fair and accurate calls.
Keep these etiquette guidelines in mind:
Call the score clearly before serving.
If a shot lands out, make an “out” call loud enough for everyone to hear.
Call a ball out only when you clearly see space between the ball and the line.
Give opponents the benefit of the doubt when you are uncertain.
Return stray balls safely without interrupting nearby games.
Communicate with your partner by calling shots such as “mine,” “yours” or “out.”
Finish the game with a friendly paddle tap or handshake.
A ball touching any line is considered in, except when a serve touches the kitchen line. The kitchen line is part of the non-volley zone, making that serve a fault.
How to Play Pickleball Singles
Singles pickleball uses the same court dimensions and most of the same rules as doubles, but each player covers the entire court and receives only one serving opportunity before a side-out.
Singles scores contain only two numbers:
The server’s score
The receiver’s score
The server’s score determines the serving position:
Serve from the right when the server’s score is even.
Serve from the left when the server’s score is odd.
The serve is still made diagonally into the opposite service court.
Because singles requires more court coverage, players often rely more heavily on deep serves, deep returns, passing shots and efficient movement.
How to Play Pickleball on a Tennis Court
Many tennis courts now include permanent or temporary pickleball lines. A regulation pickleball court is 20 feet by 44 feet, while a tennis court provides enough overall space to accommodate multiple pickleball layouts when adequate room exists around each court.
When a tennis court already has pickleball lines, you may only need a portable pickleball net. If there are no pickleball lines, temporary court tape or a line-and-corner kit can help create the correct layout. Always follow the facility’s rules and use removable marking products approved for the playing surface.
For more guidance on playing pickleball on tennis courts read our How to Play Pickleball on a Tennis Court blog.
See our Tips for Finding Outdoor and Indoor Pickleball Courts blog for recommendations on finding a pickleball court near you.
What Pickleball Paddle Should a Beginner Use?
A beginner-friendly paddle should feel comfortable, manageable and easy to control. There are many pickleball paddle options to choose from, so we recommend visiting your local Game-Set-Match store to find the best paddle for your game. We even offer a demo program so you can test out a variety of paddles before making a purchase.
If you’re in the market for a new paddle, check out our blog on how to choose the best pickleball paddle for your game.
You can also browse select paddles on our online store, or visit one of our stores for our full selection.
Do You Need Indoor or Outdoor Pickleballs?
Indoor and outdoor pickleballs are designed differently to suit their playing environments.
Outdoor balls are generally made to withstand rougher court surfaces, wind and changing weather conditions. Indoor balls are designed for smoother floors and controlled environments.
The exact ball used may also depend on the facility, league or tournament. USA Pickleball maintains separate approval information for indoor and outdoor balls used in sanctioned competition.
What Shoes Should You Wear for Pickleball?
Wear shoes designed for tennis, pickleball or other court sports.
Court shoes are built for the lateral movement, stopping and changes of direction involved in pickleball. Running shoes are primarily designed for forward movement and may not provide the same type of side-to-side containment or court-specific traction.
Choose shoes based on your foot shape, fit, court surface, cushioning preferences and playing frequency. A personalized court shoe fitting can be especially helpful for players with wide feet, orthotics or recurring fit problems.
See our blog on Choosing the Best Shoes for Tennis and Pickleball for more guidance on finding the right court shoe.
Beginner Pickleball Tips
Once you understand the rules, focus on consistency rather than trying to hit every ball hard.
Start with these fundamentals:
Get your serve in consistently.
Return the serve deep to give yourself time to move forward.
Keep your paddle up and in front of your body.
Use short, controlled swings.
Aim toward the middle when you are unsure where to hit.
Communicate with your doubles partner.
Avoid standing in the middle of the transition zone for too long.
Be patient and let opponents make mistakes.
Focus on keeping the ball in play.
Your first goal is not to master every type of shot. Learn to serve, return, maintain a rally and understand where to stand. More advanced skills will become easier as your fundamentals improve. See our Pickleball Tips and Tricks blog for more guidance on improving your game.
Get Ready to Play Pickleball
You don't need to master every rule and strategy before stepping onto the court. Start by remembering the serve, two-bounce rule, kitchen rule and basic scoring system. The rest will become more natural as you play.
Next, it's time to gear up! Game-Set-Match carries pickleball paddles, balls, bags, court shoes and accessories at all five of our Colorado and Nevada locations. Our team can help you choose equipment based on your experience, goals and style of play, and our paddle demo program lets you compare different options before purchasing.
Get More Pickleball Tips
Subscribe to the Game-Set-Match email newsletter for beginner advice, equipment guides, new product announcements, local racket-sports information and special offers.
