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Step onto any community court, and you’ll hear it—the pop of a pickleball rally in full swing. This once-niche sport now spans generations, thanks to its fast pace, simple rules, and minimal gear. If you’re one of the 30,000+ people searching each month for how to play pickleball, you’re in the right place. We’ll cover the basics—and help you find the best pickleball paddle for beginners to get started.
Keep reading to learn the rules, terms, and tips you need to start playing with confidence today.
Pickleball is a fast-paced paddle sport that mixes elements of tennis, badminton, racquetball and ping-pong. It’s played on a small 20-by-44-foot court using a solid paddle and a perforated plastic ball designed for longer rallies. Games can be singles or doubles, with doubles as the most popular format—thanks to its quick volleys and team strategy.
If you’re just learning how to play pickleball, understanding court layout and positioning is key. Players serve from behind the baseline, move up toward the net, and battle for control around the centerline. This is your pickleball 101 foundation—get these basics down, and you’ll feel confident heading into your first match.
Every game starts with a serve, hit underhand from behind the baseline. The goal is to get the ball to bounce in the opponent’s service box without hitting the net or going out of bounds. But here’s the first key rule: before volleys begin, the ball must bounce once on each side of the net. This is called the “double bounce rule.”
Once those first two bounces are completed, players can start hitting volleys, that is, striking the ball out of the air without letting it bounce. Rallies continue until one team commits a fault: hitting the ball out, failing to clear the net, or violating one of the rules. When a team wins the rally, they either score a point (if they were serving) or earn the right to serve.
Pickleball is easy to pick up, but learning the basic rules will help you avoid confusion and build confidence faster. From how scoring works to when to switch sides, here’s what you need to know before your first match.
Only the serving team can score points. Games are played to 11 points, and you must win by 2. In doubles, one player serves until they lose a rally, then the serve passes to their partner. When both players lose their serve, the other team gets to serve. It might feel a little quirky at first, but it becomes second nature quickly.
Player’s switch sides after each game. In some formats—especially in outdoor play—teams may also switch sides mid-game when the combined score reaches 6, to keep conditions fair if there’s sun or wind on one side.
Faults stop play and can cost you points or your serve. Here are a few to watch for:
The “kitchen” is the non-volley zone—a 7-foot area on each side of the net. You’re allowed to step into it, but you can’t volley (hit the ball in the air) while standing inside. This rule exists to stop players from crowding the net and smashing every shot. Once the ball has bounced, you are free to move into the kitchen to hit the ball.
You might hear terms like “kitchen line,” “kitchen area,” or “volley zone”—they all refer to the same area of the court. To avoid faults, only volley when both feet are completely outside the kitchen. Again, you can enter the kitchen zone after the ball bounces, but never hit it out of the air from inside.
When you’re just getting started, focus on the fundamentals and have fun. You don’t need perfect form or advanced strategy—just consistent contact, basic positioning, and good communication. The game is designed to be beginner-friendly, so enjoy the process and improve as you go. Here are some other tips to help you get started with your first Pickleball game:
Even with simple rules, pickleball can trip up new players in a few common ways. These early mistakes are easy to fix once you know what to watch for—and avoiding them will make your first games smoother and more fun.
You don’t need a membership or private club to get started—pickleball is everywhere. Many community centers, gyms, and local parks now have public courts, and most offer open play hours where beginners are welcome to jump in and learn.
For more rules and tips you can also check out USA Pickleball’s rule summary.
You’ve got the basics. You know the rules. Now it’s time to step onto the court with confidence. Whether you’re learning the game or leveling up your play, Pro-Line gives you the edge with paddles engineered for power, control, and all-around feel.
Trusted by serious players but built for everyone, each Pro-Line paddle offers advanced performance and a generous sweet spot. Find the one that fits your game and feel the difference from your very first match.
