§ Basics & rules
How to Play Pickleball: A Complete Beginner's Guide
7 min read · Updated 2026-06-13
Pickleball is a paddle sport played on a badminton-sized court where players use solid paddles to rally a perforated plastic ball over a low net.
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Two or four players use solid paddles to hit a lightweight perforated plastic ball over a 34-inch-high net on a court the size of a badminton doubles court. Points are scored only by the serving side, and games are typically played to 11, win by 2.
The Court
A standard pickleball court measures 20 feet wide by 44 feet long (the same dimensions as a badminton doubles court). The net stands 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches at the center. On each side of the net is a 7-foot zone called the non-volley zone (NVZ), also called the kitchen. Behind the NVZ on each side are two service courts divided by the centerline.
Equipment You Need
To start playing you need a pickleball paddle, at least one pickleball, and court access. Paddles are solid (no strings) and made from wood, composite, or graphite. Balls come in two varieties: outdoor balls have smaller, more numerous holes and are heavier; indoor balls have larger holes and are lighter. See the equipment guide for a full breakdown.
The Serve
The serve must be hit underhand with a downward arc, contacting the ball below the waist. The server stands behind the baseline and hits diagonally to the opposite service court. The serve must clear the kitchen (NVZ) and land in the correct diagonal box. Only one serve attempt is allowed, except when a let is called (ball clips the net and lands in bounds).
Tip
Serve from the right side when your score is even, from the left side when your score is odd. In doubles, both partners serve before the serve transfers to the other team (with one exception at the very start of the game).
The Two-Bounce Rule
After the serve, each side must let the ball bounce once before hitting it. The receiving team lets the serve bounce. The serving team then lets the return bounce. After those two bounces, both teams may volley (hit the ball in the air) or play groundstrokes. This rule prevents serve-and-volley dominance and extends rallies.
Scoring Basics
Only the serving side scores points. When the serving side commits a fault (hits out, hits into the net, steps in the kitchen while volleying, etc.), the serve passes to the other team or partner. The first side to reach 11 points, leading by at least 2, wins the game. Tournaments often use best-of-three games.
Key rule to remember
You cannot volley from inside the kitchen. You may step into the kitchen to play a ball that has bounced there, but you must exit before volleying again.
Doubles vs. Singles
Doubles (two players per side) is the most common format. Singles uses the same court but only the right service court when the server's score is even, and only the left when odd. In doubles, communication and positioning (especially at the non-volley zone line) are central to good play. Most recreational and competitive league play in the Philippines uses doubles.
Frequently asked
A pickleball court (20 x 44 ft) is about one-quarter the area of a tennis court. Four pickleball courts fit inside one tennis court with room to spare, which is why many parks and sports facilities convert tennis courts for pickleball.
No. If the serve lands on the non-volley zone line (the kitchen line), it is a fault and the serve is lost. The serve must clear the NVZ completely, though it may land on any other line including the centerline and baseline.
Under current USA Pickleball rules (2021 revision), a let serve that clips the net and lands in the correct service box is live and play continues. There is no re-serve for a net cord.
After the mandatory two bounces (one per side), the ball may bounce once per side before being returned, just as in tennis. Letting the ball bounce twice on your side is a fault.
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Run your own pickleball leagueStat terms in this guide