How to Play

The Basics

Pickleball is played on a court similar to a badminton court with a low net. It combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis.

• Court size is 6.1 m × 13.4 m (20 ft × 44 ft), with a 2.1 m (7 ft) non-volley zone (the "kitchen") on each side of the net.
• Most games are doubles (2 vs 2). Singles is also played using the same court with slightly different serving rules.
• Hit the ball over the net so the other team cannot return it, while staying within the rules.

Scoring

• Only the serving team can score points. Games are typically played to 11 points.
• In doubles, each player on the serving team serves until they lose a rally, then the serve passes to the partner. When both partners lose their serve, it is a side-out.
• You must win by 2 points. Tournament games may go to 15 or 21.
• Call the score before every serve: server score, receiver score, then server number (1 or 2 in doubles). Example: "4-3-2".

Key Rules

1. Serve underhand, below the waist, diagonally to the opposite service court. The ball must bounce once on each side before volleys are allowed (the two-bounce rule).
2. After the serve and return, both teams may volley (hit the ball before it bounces) except inside the kitchen.
3. You cannot volley while standing in the kitchen or touching the kitchen line. You may enter the kitchen to play a ball that has bounced.
4. Common faults: hitting the ball out of bounds, into the net, volleying from the kitchen, or failing the two-bounce rule on the serve or return.
5. When the serving team loses a rally, the serve passes to the other team (side-out). In doubles, only one partner serves before side-out unless it is the second server.

Paddles (Rackets)

Pickleball uses a solid paddle — not a strung racket. Paddles vary in weight, grip size, and core material. Choose one that matches your strength and skill level.

Set your play level in your profile so others know what to expect when you book or get invited to a game.

Balls

Pickleball balls are perforated plastic, like a wiffle ball. Indoor and outdoor balls behave differently — use the right one for your court.

Tips for Beginners

• Warm up with dinks (soft shots at the kitchen line) before trying to smash every ball.
• Stay out of the kitchen unless the ball bounces there — most beginners lose points by volleying too close to the net.
• Patience wins rallies. A soft dink is often better than a hard drive into the net.
• In doubles, call "mine" or "yours" and agree who takes lobs down the middle.