Pickleball is a simple and fast-paced game. Whether you’re a beginner, an expert, or just looking to have fun, pickleball is a sport for everyone. It doesn’t require a lot of equipment and is easy to understand.
Here are what you need to play pickleball.
The Court
A pickleball court is just like a badminton or tennis court. A tennis court can be converted into four pickleball courts. A pickleball court usually measures 20x44 feet. Its height net is 36 inches at the side and 34 inches in the middle. There is a 7-foot non-volley zone on each side of the net called the “kitchen”.
If you’re in the mood to play pickleball and don’t have access to any pickleball courts, you can make a DIY pickleball court using a badminton or tennis court. Playing pickleball on a tennis court is like playing on a pickleball court. You can also get a mini pickleball court that you can bring anywhere in case you get into a spur-of-the-moment game. Whether you prefer to play outside or inside, there are courts for that too. You can look for indoor and outdoor pickleball courts near you.
When building a pickleball court, asphalt and concrete are usually used for the flooring. Although for an indoor pickleball court, wood and rubber can also be used, just like in indoor gymnasiums.
What to Use?
Pickleball Paddle
If you’re going to play pickleball, you will need a paddle and ball. Many pickleball paddle brands also advertise to have a “larger sweet spot”, but which ones are telling the truth? There are many pickleball paddles to choose from. Make sure to choose comfort, efficiency, and durability.
- 101Pickleball
- Diadem
- Franklin
- JOOLA
- Paddletek
- Prince Pickleball
- Selkirk/SLK
- Volair
Of course, even if you have the perfect paddle, you can’t play without a ball. Pickleball uses a ball with holes. For indoor pickleball, the ball has fewer and bigger holes. For outdoor pickleball, the ball is heavier with more and smaller holes to avoid being carried by winds.
Outdoor Pickleball
- Franklin X40 Outdoor Pickleballs
- Dura Fast 40 Pickleball
- Onix Fuse G2 Outdoor Pickleball
- Onix Pure 2 Outdoor Pickleball
- Pro Penn 40 Outdoor Pickleballs
- Penn 40 Outdoor Pickleballs
Indoor pickleball
- Franklin’s X-26 Indoor Pickleball
- Onix Fuse Indoor Pickleball
- Recruit Pure Indoor Pickleball
- Penn 26 Indoor Pickleball
Foam Ball
There are quiet pickleball balls that are meant to lessen the noise when bouncing. Foam pickleball is a little uncommon but is becoming popular now. It’s quiet and is best when practicing indoors.
Rules
Serving
- A serve is made with an underhand and the paddle must not go above the waist when hitting the ball. The paddle head must be below wrist level.
- For a drop serve, the above rule doesn’t apply.
- The ball must go in a diagonal direction towards the opponent’s side.
- The serving player must stay behind the baseline.
- One serve per player is allowed.
- For doubles, each member gets to serve before the serve switches to the other team.
- The first serve must always be made at the right side of the court. The members (doubles) will switch sides if a point is scored.
- Serving will go to the other team if the current serving team makes a fault.
Scoring
- Only the serving team can get a point. If they make a fault, the serve will go to the opponent and they will then get the chance to win points.
- Normal games are played to 11 points, win by 2.
- Pickleball is considered a fast-paced game because the goal is to score a minimum of 11 points, as long as the winning team is ahead by 2 points. For example, if the score is 10-10, the game will continue until the score has hit 11 and is 2 points ahead.
- Tournament games can be played up to 15 or 21, win by 2.
- If the serving team’s score is an even number, the first server must serve/receive from the right side. If the score is odd, the first server must be on the left side to serve/receive.
Two-Bounce Rule
- When serving, the opponent must first let the ball bounce before hitting it. When the ball goes to the other side, the serving team must also let it bounce before hitting it. This prevents the serving team from having an unfair advantage by rushing to the net to volley the ball.
- After the initial bouncing off both courts, the players can choose to volley (hitting the ball before it hits the ground) or play it off a bounce.
Fault
A fault is any action that goes against the rules.
- The serve must go to the opponent if the serving team makes a fault.
- The score goes to the serving team if the receiving team makes a fault.
- The serve goes to the other team when the serving team makes a fault. This is called a side-out.
Non-volley Zone ("Kitchen")
- The ball can touch any part of any line (except the non-volley zone when serving). Touching the non-volley zone during serve results in a fault.
- Volleying the ball while in the non-volley zone (or even just your clothes or anything you’re holding) will result in a fault. If you go into the non-volley zone after hitting the ball, this is also a fault.
Doubles Play and Serve Rotation
- In doubles, the serving team gets both players a chance to serve before losing the serve to the opponents. After the initial serve, if the serving team scores, the same player continues to serve, alternating service courts after each point. Once that player loses the serve, the second teammate begins serving.
Timeouts and Line Calls
- Players may call timeouts to discuss strategy or rest. Each team is allowed two timeouts per game.
- In recreational games, players make their own line calls. A ball is "in" if it touches any part of the line, including the kitchen line during play (except when volleying).
Common Faults to Avoid
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Stepping into the Kitchen on a Volley: If your momentum carries you into the non-volley zone while hitting a volley, it’s a fault, even if the ball has already left your paddle.
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Double Bounces: Remember the two-bounce rule—both the serve and the return must bounce before volleys are allowed.
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Foot Faults: Foot faults happen frequently, especially when serving. Ensure your feet remain behind the baseline until after you’ve hit the ball.
You are now ready for pickleball with this information. Go and study which paddle and ball best suit you. Once you have decided and purchased your equipment, don’t forget to have fun.
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Key Takeaways |
Details |
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Court |
Size: 20x44 feet. Net height: 36 inches at sides, 34 inches in the middle. 7-foot non-volley zone ("kitchen") on each side. Can use a tennis court. |
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Equipment |
Paddle: Choose a good one (brands: Selkirk, Prince, Franklin). |
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Ball: |
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- Outdoor: Heavier, more and smaller holes (e.g., Franklin X40). |
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- Indoor: Lighter, fewer and bigger holes (e.g., Franklin’s X-26). |
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- Foam balls: Quiet for indoor practice. |
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Rules |
Serve: |
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- Underhand, paddle below the waist. |
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- Serve diagonally, behind the baseline. |
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- One serve per player. |
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Scoring: |
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- Only serving team scores. |
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- Play to 11 points, win by 2. |
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Two-Bounce Rule: |
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- The ball bounces once on each side before volleying. |
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Faults: |
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- Breaking rules or non-volley zone violations. |
FAQs
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What happens if the ball hits the net on a serve?
If the ball touches the net on a serve but lands in the correct service box, it's considered a "let" and can be replayed. If it lands outside the service box, it's a fault. -
Can I hit the ball outside of the court boundaries?
Yes, as long as the ball lands within the court. Players are allowed to step outside the court to return a ball. -
Is the kitchen line "in" or "out"?
The kitchen line is considered part of the non-volley zone, so any ball landing on it during a volley is out. However, during groundstrokes (after the ball bounces), the line is considered "in." -
How do I determine if the ball is "in" or "out"?
A ball is "in" if any part of it touches the line. If the ball lands outside the line without touching it, it’s out. -
What is the proper scoring call in doubles?
In doubles, the server must call the score as: "Server's score, Opponent's score, and Server number." For example, "4-2-1" means the server's team has 4 points, the opponents have 2, and it is the first server. -
Can I volley if I'm standing outside the kitchen?
Yes, you can volley from anywhere outside the non-volley zone, as long as you’re not stepping on or into the kitchen. -
Do I have to win by 2 points in every game?
Yes, pickleball games are always won by at least 2 points. So, if the score reaches 10-10, the game continues until one team leads by 2 points. -
How to Keep Score in Pickleball?
Pickleball uses rally scoring, where only the serving side can earn points. The server must announce the score before each serve, stating their team's score first, followed by the opponent's score, and then the server number (either 1 or 2 in doubles). A game is typically played to 11 points, with a two-point margin required to win. If the serving team loses a rally, the serve switches to the next player or the other team.
