Hey there, fellow pickleball newbies! Are you ready to get your dink on and master the art of the kitchen? (yup, kitchen is a term in pickleball!)
Look no further than our pickleball for beginners guide!
Whether you’re a total greenhorn or have some experience with other racquet sports, this guide will teach you everything you need to know to start playing pickleball like a pro.
We’ll break down the rules of the game, help you choose the perfect paddle, and even show you some nifty tricks to up your game.
So grab your court shoes and let’s get started on your pickleball journey!
Table of Contents
The Pickleball Basics
If you’re new to the world of pickleball, it can be overwhelming to navigate all the rules, techniques, and equipment involved in the sport.
But fear not!
In this section, we’ll break down the basics of pickleball, from the court and equipment to the essential techniques you’ll need to know to get started.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or just need a refresher, read on to learn everything you need to know to start playing pickleball like a pro.
What is a Pickleball Court?
Before you start playing pickleball, it’s important to know the layout of the court.
Pickleball is typically played on a badminton-sized court (20 feet by 44 feet) with a net in the middle, similar to a tennis court.
The court is divided into two sides by the net, with a non-volley zone (the “kitchen”) located on either side of the net.
The General Pickleball Equipment
To play pickleball, you’ll need a few key pieces of equipment.
The most important item is a pickleball paddle, which is similar in shape to a tennis racket but typically smaller and made of different materials.
You’ll also need a pickleball (similar in size to a wiffle ball), a net, and proper court shoes.
The Basics of Serving in Pickleball
Like in other racquet sports, pickleball begins with a serve.
The serve must be made underhand, and the server must keep at least one foot behind the baseline until the serve is struck.
The ball must be served diagonally across the court and land in the opponent’s service court.
If the serve lands in the non-volley zone or out of bounds, it’s a fault and the other team gets a point.
Basics on How Scoring Works in Pickleball
Pickleball is typically played to 11 points, and you must win by two points.
Points can be scored by the serving or receiving team, and a point is awarded for every rally won.
If the serving team wins the rally, they get a point and the same player serves again from the opposite service court.
If the receiving team wins the rally, they get a point and the receiving team becomes the serving team.
Learn more about pickleball scoring in our mastering pickleball scoring guide.
Getting Started
Now that you have a basic understanding of the rules of pickleball and the equipment (Pickleballs for example) needed to play, it’s time to hit the courts!
Check out our more detailed posts on serving, scoring, and equipment for a deeper dive into the world of pickleball.
Rules of Play
Now that you have a good understanding of the basics, it’s time to dive into the official rules of pickleball.
The game can be played in singles or doubles and the objective is to be the first team to reach 11 points (or 15 in some cases) and lead by a margin of at least two points.
Serving:
- The serve must be hit underhand and diagonally cross-court to the opponent’s service zone.
- The server must keep both feet behind the baseline and contact the ball within the confines of the sideline and the centerline.
- The ball must clear the no-volley zone (the seven-foot area from the net) before the receiver can hit it.
Volleying:
- A volley is when a player hits the ball in the air before it bounces.
- Volleying is permitted outside of the no-volley zone, but not inside it.
- A player must have both feet behind the no-volley zone before hitting a volley.
Double Bounce Rule:
- After the serve, both teams must let the ball bounce once before hitting it.
- After the two bounces have occurred, the ball can either be volleyed or played off the bounce.
Faults:
- A fault occurs when a rule is violated or the ball is hit out of bounds.
- A fault results in a point for the opposing team.
Unique Rules and Situations
- The non-volley zone (also known as the “kitchen”) – this is the area immediately in front of the net where players are not allowed to hit the ball on the fly (volley) unless the ball bounces first.
- Faults such as touching the net with your paddle, stepping into the non-volley zone while hitting a volley, or hitting the ball out of bounds.
- Serving rules, such as the requirement to serve underhand and keep both feet behind the back line until the ball is struck. There are also rules about serving into the correct service court and not hitting the net with the serve.
That’s a brief overview of the rules of play in pickleball. Of course, there are many more intricacies to the game, but understanding these basics will give you a solid foundation to build upon. In the next section, we’ll cover some essential strategies and techniques to help you improve your game.
Beginner Pickleball Techniques
As a beginner, mastering the basics of pickleball is essential to improving your game. The techniques you learn at this stage will serve as the foundation for more advanced skills in the future.
Here are some key beginner techniques to focus on:
Proper Pickleball Paddle Grip
Before you can start playing pickleball, you need to know how to grip your paddle.
The most common grip is the Continental grip, where the paddle handle is held like a hammer with your index finger pointing down the paddle face.
Serve
The serve is the starting point of each rally in pickleball, so it’s important to master this technique.
Begin by standing behind the baseline and underhand serving the ball diagonally across the net into the opponent’s service court.
Proper Pickleball Groundstrokes
Groundstrokes refer to shots hit after the ball has bounced.
The two most common groundstrokes are the forehand and backhand.
For the forehand, step forward with your front foot and bring the paddle back before swinging forward and striking the ball.
For the backhand, use a similar motion but with your non-dominant hand positioned above the dominant hand on the paddle handle.
Pickleball Volleys
Volleys are shots hit before the ball bounces on your side of the court.
When volleying, try to keep your paddle in front of your body with your elbows bent and your weight balanced on the balls of your feet.
The Hell are Pickleball Dinks?
Dinking is a short, soft shot that is used to keep the ball low over the net and force your opponent to hit up.
To execute a dink, move close to the net and tap the ball lightly over to the other side.
Q. Why did the pickleball player bring a jar of pickles to the court?
A. To dink and dunk his opponents!
We are here all week.
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