Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world—and for good reason. It combines the fun of tennis, badminton, and ping pong into a game that’s easy to learn, social, and great for all ages. The cost of entry is also lower compared to other sports. You’ll catch us and clients hitting up our local pickleball courts every weekend. If you’re new to the game, here’s everything you need to know about how to play pickleball for beginners. Below are the Pickleball basics:
- Court: Same size as a badminton court (20 x 44 ft).
- Net: Slightly lower than tennis (34 inches at the center).
- Paddle & Ball: You’ll need a solid paddle (larger than ping pong, smaller than tennis) and a lightweight plastic ball with holes (similar to a wiffle ball).
- Team: You can play either singles (one player per side) or doubles (two players per side).
📜 Pickleball Rules for Beginners: Learning the basic rules of pickleball will help you jump into games quickly:
- Serving: Must be underhand, diagonal, and clear the “kitchen” (the non-volley zone).
- Scoring: Only the serving team can score points. Games usually go to 11, win by 2.
- Double Bounce Rule: After the serve, both teams must let the ball bounce once before volleys are allowed.
- The Kitchen: A 7-foot zone near the net where volleys aren’t allowed. You can step in only if the ball bounces first.
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🎯 Serving Rules: Here, we will deep dive into some serving rules:
- Paddle Position: The highest point of the paddle head must be below the wrist at contact before you serve.
- Serves Per Team: Each player on each team is entitled to one serve each (except the first serve of the game) unless you swing and whiff completely (a “let” if no contact).
- Serve Position: Underhand motion only, and the point of contact has to be below your waist (navel level).
- Serve Placement: The serve must go diagonally into the opponent’s service court and it has to clear the non-volley zone (“the kitchen”). If it lands in the kitchen or touches the kitchen line, it’s a fault.
Foot Placement: At least one foot must stay behind the baseline at the moment of contact. You can’t step into the court until after the ball is struck.
📊 Understanding Pickleball Scoring: the first server always starts on the right side. Be sure to say the score out loud before every serve. It keeps everyone on the same page and helps you learn the rhythm of scoring.
- Only the serving team can score.
- If the receiving team wins the rally, they don’t get a point; they just get the serve.
- You serve until you lose a rally.
- In doubles, each partner gets a chance to serve before the serve passes to the other team (except at the very start).
- The score is called in three numbers (for doubles).
- Server’s score – Receiver’s score – Server number (1 or 2). Example: “3 – 5 – 2” means the serving team has 3, the receiving team has 5, and the second server is serving.
here's a quick 5 min video
✅ Quick Pickleball Tips for Success
- Hold the paddle like a hammer; firm but relaxed.
- Bend your knees instead of leaning with your back.
- Focus on consistency over power.
- In doubles, communicate with your partner and call shots early.
- Remember: pickleball is competitive, but it’s also social, so have fun!
Pickleball is one of the easiest sports to start playing, yet it offers endless room for growth. Whether you’re looking for a new hobby, a fun way to stay active, or a competitive outlet, this sport has something for you. With these pickleball rules and beginner tips, you’ll be ready to step onto the court with confidence. If you are looking for a local Burnaby Pickleball coach, send us an email at hello [@] unfoldmovement.com and we would be happy to offer some recommendations!
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Sources
1. How to Play Pickleball
https://www.pickleheads.com/guides/how-to-play-pickleball