How to Play Pickleball (And Not Embarrass Yourself… Much)
So, you want to learn how to play pickleball? Welcome! Whether you’re here because your knees have staged a protest against tennis, your friends keep raving about it, or you just want an excuse to wear headbands in public, you’re in the right place. Let’s loosen up and dive into the glorious, slightly ridiculous world of pickleball.
What Even Is Pickleball?
Imagine tennis, badminton, and ping-pong had a wild night out and nine months later, pickleball was born. It’s played on a court about the size of a badminton court (so, smaller than tennis, bigger than your kitchen floor), with a net that’s lower than tennis but higher than your self-esteem after your first game.
You use a paddle—think oversized ping-pong bat—and a plastic ball with holes. The ball is called a wiffle ball, but don’t expect it to whistle or do anything fancy. The best part? It’s easy to learn, hard to master, and you’ll get a workout without realizing it (until the next morning).
If you're a highly esteemed tennis player and you're feeling a bit lost then click here to see why you should pick up a pickle bat.
TIP: Don't call it a pickleball bat, it's frowned up on, (I'm sure that's what half of you type in to get here, I love it!)
Why Is Everyone Obsessed?
Because it’s fun, social, and you can play it without needing the reflexes of a caffeinated squirrel. It’s gentle on the joints, great for all ages, and—let’s be honest—there’s something hilarious about grown adults arguing over kitchen rules (more on that soon).
The Court: Not Just a Place for Drama
Let’s talk about the battlefield. A pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long. That’s smaller than a tennis court—hooray for less running! The net sits at 36 inches high at the edges and 34 inches in the middle.
The court is divided into:
Baselines:
The lines at the back. Stand here to serve, or just to look like you know what you’re doing.
Sidelines:
The lines on the sides. If your ball lands outside these, congratulations, you’ve just given your opponent a point.
Non-Volley Zone (The Kitchen):
A 7-foot area on both sides of the net. No, you can’t cook here. Also, no volleying here. More on this later.
Pickleball Rules: The Basics (Don’t Worry, There’s No Pop Quiz)
Serving
- Serving: Underhanded, Like That One Friend
- Serve diagonally, underhand, and below your waist. No tennis-style smashes or ninja moves.
- Stand behind the baseline—don’t be a line-hugger.
- Only one serve attempt. If you mess it up, shrug it off and pretend you meant to do that.
- The serve must clear the kitchen and land in the opposite diagonal court.
The Return: Don’t Panic
The receiving team lets the ball bounce before returning it. No heroics.
Then, the serving team must also let it bounce. This is called the “double bounce rule.” Yes, it’s real. Yes, it’s confusing at first.
After the Serve: Let the Chaos Begin
After the double bounce, you can volley (hit the ball before it bounces) or play it off the bounce.
But remember: NO volleying while standing in the kitchen. Unless you want a chorus of “FAULT!” from everyone, including the nice old lady on the next court.
Scoring: Only the Serving Team Scores
You score a point only when you serve and win the rally.
Games are usually played to 11 points, win by 2. (If you’re as competitive as I am, you’ll want to win by 20, but rules are rules.)
Call out the score before each serve. Loudly. Dramatically, if you like.
Faults: AKA, “Oops, My Bad”
Common ways to mess up:
- Hitting the ball out of bounds
- Not clearing the net
- Volleying from the kitchen
- Violating the double bounce rule
- Forgetting what day it is (okay, not technically a fault, but still…)
The Kitchen: Not for Snacks, But for Strategy
What is the kitchen in pickleball?
The “kitchen” is the non-volley zone. It’s 7 feet from the net on both sides. Here’s the deal:
You can’t volley (hit the ball in the air) while standing in the kitchen.
You can step into the kitchen to play a ball that’s bounced, but get out before you try to volley again.
If your momentum carries you into the kitchen after a volley, that’s a fault. Yes, even if you look graceful doing it.
Why Does the Kitchen Exist?
To keep things interesting and stop people from just smashing the ball at the net all day. It forces you to use finesse, not just brute force. Think of it as the “no fun zone” for power hitters. Are you wondering who the hell dreamt this game up?
Singles vs. Doubles: Twice the Fun or Double the Trouble?
You can play pickleball one-on-one (singles) or two-on-two (doubles). Most people play doubles because it’s more social and, let’s face it, you can blame your partner for your mistakes.
Doubles: The serve rotates between partners. There’s a bit more strategy (and a lot more bickering).
Singles: More running. More glory. More sweat.
Let’s Get Practical: How a Game Actually Flows
Serve: Player on the right serves diagonally.
Return: Receiver lets it bounce, then returns.
Double Bounce: Serving team lets it bounce before hitting.
Rally: Now, hit it back and forth until someone messes up.
Scoring: Only the serving team can score. If they lose the rally, the other team gets to serve.
Repeat until someone hits 11 points and can brag about it for the rest of the week.
Mastering the Serve (Or At Least Not Embarrassing Yourself)
Let’s be real: serving is harder than it looks. Here’s how to not make a fool of yourself:
Stand behind the baseline, feet planted.
Hold the ball in your non-dominant hand, paddle in the other.
Swing underhand, making sure the paddle contacts the ball below your waist.
Aim for the opposite diagonal service box (not the next court over).
Don’t overthink it. If you mess up, just laugh and try again.
Fancy Serves (For When You’re Feeling Brave)
Lob Serve: High and slow. Good for messing with opponents who hate moving backward.
Drive Serve: Fast and low. Risky, but satisfying when it works.
The Return of Serve: Channel Your Inner Ninja
Stand ready, knees bent, paddle up.
Let the ball bounce, then hit it back deep.
Don’t try to win the point outright—just get it back and into play.
Smile smugly if your opponent looks surprised.
The Double Bounce Rule: It’s Not Just for Show
Why does this rule exist? To stop people from rushing the net immediately and dominating. It gives everyone a fair shot and keeps the game balanced. Embrace it—even when you forget about it and everyone yells at you.
Volleys and Dinks: The Art of Subtlety
Volley: Hitting the ball before it bounces. Great for fast points, but remember the kitchen rule!
Dink: A soft shot that just clears the net and lands in the kitchen. Infuriating to your opponents and oddly satisfying.
How to Practice Dinks (And Look Like a Pro)
Stand at the edge of the kitchen.
Gently tap the ball so it arcs just over the net.
Try to make your opponent run forward (bonus points if they groan).
Winning Strategies (Or, How to Outsmart Your Friends)
Play to your strengths. If you’re quick, use it. If you’re sneaky, dink away.
Communicate with your partner. Yell “mine!” or “yours!” or just make wild hand gestures.
Don’t crowd the kitchen. Stay just behind the line, ready to pounce (but not to fault).
Also, get yourself an EPIC paddle to scare the competitors.
Scoring: The Math Isn’t Hard, I Promise
Here’s how it works in doubles:
First server starts on the right.
If you win a point, you and your partner switch sides.
If you lose a point, your partner serves (unless you’re the second server, then it’s side-out).
Only the serving team scores. So, serve like you mean it!
In singles:
Serve from the right when your score is even, left when it’s odd.
No partner to blame, but also no one to steal your glory.
Common Beginner Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Standing in the kitchen: Just… don’t. Unless the ball bounces first.
Trying to smash everything: Sometimes, soft shots win.
Forgetting the score: It happens. Just ask, or make something up (kidding!).
Panicking under pressure: Breathe. Laugh. It’s just a game (unless you’re playing for snacks, then it’s deadly serious).
Sportsmanship and Etiquette (Yes, You Need to Be Nice)
Don’t celebrate your opponent’s faults (unless they’re your best friend, then tease away).
Call out the score clearly.
Apologize if you hit someone (unless you meant to, but let’s not go there).
Pick up stray balls—no one likes a trip hazard.
Level Up: Practicing and Improving
Wall drills: Hit the ball against a wall. It won’t judge you.
Dink practice: Find a partner and see who can keep a dink rally going the longest.
Serve accuracy: Place targets in the service box and aim for them.
Join a club: Nothing beats real games (and new friends to beat).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to be super fit to play?
A: Nope. You’ll get a workout, but you don’t need to be an Olympian. Just bring your enthusiasm (and maybe some water).
Q: Can I play if I’ve never played tennis or badminton?
A: Absolutely. In fact, you might have fewer bad habits to unlearn.
Q: What if I keep losing?
A: Laugh it off. Everyone starts somewhere. Plus, you’ll have great stories.
Q: What kind of pickleball bat do I need?
A: Between me and you, don't call them pickleball bats, or pickleball rackets, rookie mistake. They're pickleball paddles, and you'll want a beginners one (big sweet spot) check them out here. Also, ours are so frickin cool they will scare your opponents...just sayin.
Or you can read this guide on pickleball bats ;)
Q: Is it really called “the kitchen”?
A: Yes, and no one actually knows why. Just roll with it.
Ready to Play? (Spoiler: You Are)
Pickleball is all about having fun, moving a little (or a lot), and maybe making some new friends. Don’t stress about the rules—no one gets them all right at first. The main thing is to get out there, swing wildly, and laugh at yourself (and others, if they deserve it).
So, grab a paddle, like this one, find a court, and get playing. If you see me out there, say hi—just don’t expect me to go easy on you.
You may enjoy this article on what is pickleball, where we have areally cool photo of my nan smashin the court up #cortairestyle
Let me know if you want to add even more detail, personal stories, or pro tips!