How To Play Pickleball

Pickleball is a fun and fast-paced sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Here’s a simple guide to help you get started.

1. Understanding the Basics

• Court: Pickleball is played on a court similar to a badminton court, measuring 20 feet by 44 feet.
• Net: The net is slightly lower than a tennis net, standing at 36 inches high at the ends and 34 inches at the center.
• Equipment: You'll need a paddle (similar to a large ping-pong paddle) and a plastic ball with holes, similar to a wiffle ball.

2. Setting Up the Game

• Players: Pickleball can be played as singles (1 vs. 1) or doubles (2 vs. 2).
• Positioning: In doubles, each team has one player on the right side and one on the left. The server stands behind the baseline on the right side of the court.

3. Serving the Ball

• Underhand Serve: The serve must be made underhand with the paddle below the waist.
• Cross-Court Serve: The server must hit the ball diagonally across the court to the opponent's service area.
• One Attempt: Only one serve attempt is allowed. If the ball touches the net but lands in the correct service court, it is a "let" and the server gets another try.

4. Returning the Serve

• Double Bounce Rule: After the serve, the ball must bounce once on the receiving side before it can be hit, and then once on the serving side before it can be hit back. This ensures each team has a chance to return the ball.
• Rally: After the double bounce, players can volley (hit the ball without letting it bounce) or let it bounce before hitting it.

5. Scoring Points

• Only the Serving Team Scores: Points can only be scored by the team that is serving.
• Winning a Point: The serving team wins a point if the opposing team fails to return the ball, hits it out of bounds, or into the net.
• Switching Sides: When the serving team scores a point, the server switches sides and serves again. In doubles, both players on a team get a chance to serve before the serve switches to the other team.
• First Team to Serve: At the start of the game, the first team to serve only gets the chance to have one player to serve, then the serve must switch to the other side.

6. The Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone)

• Stay Out of the Kitchen: The kitchen is a 7-foot area on either side of the net where players cannot volley (hit the ball in the air without it bouncing first). You can only enter the kitchen if the ball has bounced in it.
• Faults in the Kitchen: If you volley the ball while standing in the kitchen or step into the kitchen after hitting a volley, it’s a fault, and the other team gets the point.

7. Winning the Game

• Game to 11 Points: The game is typically played to 11 points, but you must win by at least 2 points.
• Switching Sides: When a team reaches 6 points, players switch sides of the court to ensure fair play with respect to any wind or sun conditions.

8. General Rules and Etiquette

• No Overhand Shots: All shots, including serves, must be underhand.
• Lines Are In: If the ball lands on any part of the line, it is considered "in."
• Good Sportsmanship: Always respect your opponents and play with good sportsmanship.

9. Practice Tips

• Focus on Dinking: Dinking is a soft shot that lands in the opponent's kitchen. Practicing this helps you control the pace of the game.
• Work on Your Serve: A consistent serve is crucial. Practice getting the ball into the correct service area every time.
• Play with Strategy: Think about your shots and try to place the ball where your opponents are less likely to return it.

Enjoy Playing!

Pickleball is easy to learn and fun to play, whether you're looking for a competitive game or just a casual match with friends. Follow these steps, and you’ll be playing like a pro in no time!