Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, and there is a good reason for that. It is genuinely fun from the very first time you pick up a paddle. Unlike tennis, where you might spend weeks just learning to keep the ball in play, pickleball lets you have real rallies and competitive points within your first session. The court is smaller, the ball moves slower, and the learning curve is forgiving enough that you will feel like a real player before you leave the court.
If you have seen people playing at your local park and wondered what exactly is going on -- the plastic ball with holes, the oversized ping-pong paddles, the mysterious zone near the net that everyone seems afraid to step in -- you are in the right place. This guide walks you through everything you need to know to go from zero to playing your first game, step by step.
You do not need athletic experience, you do not need expensive equipment, and you do not need to be in great shape. Pickleball meets you where you are. Whether you are 15 or 75, a former college athlete or someone who has not picked up a racquet in decades, this sport has a place for you. Let's get you on the court.
What You Need
One of the best things about pickleball is that the barrier to entry is low. You do not need a bag full of gear to get started. Here is what you actually need.
A Paddle
Your paddle is the only piece of equipment that really matters, and even here, you do not need to overthink it. Any beginner paddle in the $30 to $60 range will serve you well while you learn the game. Paddles come in different materials -- wood is the cheapest, composite and fiberglass sit in the mid-range, and carbon fiber is the premium option. For your first paddle, a mid-range composite paddle is the sweet spot. It gives you a good feel for the ball without breaking the bank.
You will see paddles with different shapes, weights, and grip sizes. For now, just grab something that feels comfortable in your hand. You can get more particular about paddle specs once you have played enough games to know what you like.
Balls
Pickleball uses a perforated plastic ball -- it looks like a wiffle ball's more athletic cousin. There are two types, and the difference matters.
Outdoor balls have smaller, more numerous holes (typically 40 holes). They are heavier, harder, and designed to hold up against wind. They fly faster and bounce higher, which makes outdoor play a bit more aggressive.
Indoor balls have larger, fewer holes (typically 26 holes). They are lighter, softer, and move slower through the air. Indoor balls are easier to control, which is why many beginners find indoor play more approachable at first.
If you are playing at a public park, you will almost always be using outdoor balls. The Franklin X-40 is one of the most popular options -- a pack of six runs about $15, and they crack or go out of round over time, so plan on replacing them periodically.
Shoes
This one catches people off guard. Do not wear running shoes to play pickleball. Running shoes are designed for forward motion -- they have a narrow base and a cushioned heel that is built for straight-line movement. Pickleball involves a lot of lateral shuffling, quick stops, and direction changes. You need shoes that support side-to-side movement without rolling your ankle.
Court shoes or tennis shoes are what you want. They have a wider, flatter sole with lateral support built in. If you already own a pair of tennis shoes, those will work perfectly. You do not need to buy pickleball-specific shoes right away, but avoid running shoes, hiking boots, or anything with a thick, squishy sole.
Comfortable Athletic Clothes
Wear what you would wear to the gym or to play any other sport. Moisture-wicking fabrics help if you are playing outdoors in warm weather. A hat and sunglasses are worth bringing for outdoor play. There is no dress code at recreational pickleball.
A Court
You need somewhere to play, and the good news is that pickleball courts are popping up everywhere. Most cities have free public courts at parks and recreation centers. Many tennis courts have been re-lined for dual use. Check your local parks department website, search for nearby courts on our site, or check out our LA court guides if you are in the Los Angeles area.
The Court
Understanding the court layout before you step onto one makes everything else easier. Pickleball courts are small and simple, and once you know the zones, the rules will make a lot more sense.
A standard pickleball court is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long. If you have seen a doubles badminton court, it is the exact same size. Compared to a tennis court, it is roughly a quarter of the area. That compact size is a big part of what makes pickleball accessible -- you do not need to be fast or have long legs to cover the court.
The Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone)
The most important area on the court is the kitchen, officially called the non-volley zone. It is a 7-foot-deep zone on each side of the net, marked by a line running across the full width of the court. The kitchen is where the most important rule in pickleball lives: you cannot hit the ball out of the air (volley) while standing in this zone. We will come back to why this matters when we talk about rallies.
Service Areas
Behind each kitchen, the court is divided into two halves by a centerline. This creates two rectangular service areas -- the right service area and the left service area. When you serve, you serve diagonally from one service area to the opposite one on the other side of the net. Knowing which box you are serving from and which box you are serving to is essential for getting the game started correctly.
The Baseline, Sidelines, and Centerline
The baseline is the back line of the court -- this is where you stand to serve. The sidelines are the left and right boundaries. The centerline divides the two service areas. All of these lines are considered "in" during regular play, meaning a ball that lands on a line is good. The one exception is the kitchen line on a serve, which counts as part of the kitchen and is therefore out.
The Net
The net stretches across the middle of the court. It is 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches high at the center. That slight dip in the middle is important -- most shots are aimed toward the center of the court, and knowing the net is two inches lower there gives you a slight advantage on cross-court shots.
How to Serve
Every point in pickleball begins with a serve, so this is where your first game starts. The serving rules are specific, but they are designed to keep the serve from being an overpowering weapon. In pickleball, the serve is a way to start the rally, not a way to win the point outright.
Stand Behind the Baseline
Position yourself behind the baseline on the correct side of the court. If the score is even (0, 2, 4, etc.), you serve from the right side. If the score is odd (1, 3, 5, etc.), you serve from the left side. Both feet must be behind the baseline when you make contact with the ball.
Use an Underhand Motion
The serve must be underhand. Your paddle must contact the ball below your wrist, and the point of contact must be below your navel. You cannot toss the ball up and smash it overhead. This rule is what keeps pickleball rallies long and interesting -- nobody is acing serves past you at 100 miles per hour.
If the traditional serve feels awkward, try the drop serve instead. You simply drop the ball from any natural height (do not throw it down), let it bounce, and hit it after the bounce. The drop serve removes the waist-level and underhand restrictions because the bounce naturally limits the ball's height. Many beginners find the drop serve much easier to control, and it is completely legal.
Serve Diagonally
Your serve must travel diagonally across the court and land in the opposite service area. If you are serving from the right side, the ball needs to land in your opponent's right service area (which is diagonally across from you). The serve must clear the net and land beyond the kitchen -- a serve that hits the kitchen or its line is a fault.
Call the Score
Before every serve, call out the score. In doubles, this is three numbers: your team's score, the other team's score, and the server number (1 or 2). For example, "3-2-1" means your team has 3 points, the other team has 2, and you are the first server on your team. In singles, you just call two numbers. This might feel awkward at first, but it keeps everyone on the same page and prevents arguments about the score mid-game.
Playing a Rally
Now the ball is in play. This is where pickleball gets fun, and where a couple of unique rules shape the entire game.
The Two-Bounce Rule
This is the single most important rule to understand after the serve. Here is how it works.
After you serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce once before returning it. They cannot volley your serve out of the air. Then, after they return the ball, your team (the serving team) must also let the ball bounce once before hitting your third shot. You cannot rush the net and volley their return.
So: the serve bounces, the return bounces, and after those two bounces, the ball is live. From that point forward, either team can volley (hit the ball out of the air) or play it off the bounce -- your choice.
This rule exists to prevent the serving team from having an unfair advantage. Without it, you could blast a serve and immediately rush the net to put the return away. The two-bounce rule forces a more strategic opening to every point.
Move to the Kitchen Line
After the two-bounce rule has been satisfied, the real game begins. And here is the key strategic insight: you want to get to the kitchen line as quickly as possible. The team that controls the area just behind the kitchen line controls the point. From there, you can hit volleys, cut off angles, and put pressure on your opponents.
The receiving team has an advantage here because they are already at the baseline waiting for the serve, and after the return, they can immediately move forward while the serving team is stuck waiting for the third shot to bounce. Good players use a third shot drop -- a soft, arcing shot that lands in the opponent's kitchen -- to buy time to move up to the net.
Dinking
Once both teams are at the kitchen line, the game often shifts into a dink rally. A dink is a soft, controlled shot that barely clears the net and lands in or near the opponent's kitchen. The goal is to keep the ball low so your opponent cannot attack it aggressively.
Dinking might look boring from the sideline, but it is where matches are won and lost. Each dink is a small test -- can you place the ball precisely enough to create an opening? Can you stay patient enough to wait for your opponent to make a mistake? Dink rallies build tension until someone either pops the ball up too high (giving the other team a chance to smash it) or creates enough of an angle to force an error.
You do not need to master dinking on day one, but knowing it exists helps you understand why experienced players spend so much time trading soft shots at the net instead of blasting the ball as hard as they can.
Basic Strategy for Your First Game
You do not need a complex game plan to enjoy your first few matches. These five simple principles will make you a better player immediately.
Get to the Kitchen Line as Fast as Possible
We already mentioned this, but it bears repeating because it is the single most important strategic concept in pickleball. The kitchen line is where points are won. If your opponents are at the net and you are stuck at the baseline, you are at a significant disadvantage. After the two-bounce rule is satisfied, get forward.
Keep the Ball Low Over the Net
High balls are easy to attack. Low balls are hard to deal with. When you are hitting the ball, aim to clear the net by just a few inches rather than launching it high into the air. This is especially true when you are at the kitchen line -- a ball that floats above net height is an invitation for your opponent to drive it at your feet.
Aim for the Middle in Doubles
When you are not sure where to hit the ball, aim for the middle of the court -- right between your two opponents. This creates confusion about who should take the ball, and even well-coordinated teams sometimes fumble shots hit right at the center. The middle is also the lowest part of the net, which means you have more margin for error on your shots.
Be Patient
The biggest mistake beginners make is trying to end the point too quickly. Pickleball rewards patience. Instead of going for a winner on every shot, focus on keeping the ball in play and waiting for your opponent to make an error. Most recreational pickleball points are not won by brilliant shots -- they are lost by unforced errors. If you can just get the ball back one more time than your opponent, you will win a lot of points.
Communicate with Your Partner
In doubles, talk to your partner. Call "mine" or "yours" on balls hit to the middle. Let them know if a ball is going out. Coordinate who covers which part of the court. You do not need to be barking instructions every second, but a few words here and there prevent collisions, confusion, and frustration. The best doubles teams are not necessarily the most skilled -- they are the ones that communicate best.
Your First Game: What to Expect
Knowing the rules and strategy is one thing. Actually showing up to a court for the first time is another. Here is what the experience is really like.
Most Courts Are First-Come, First-Served
At public parks, there are rarely reservations. You show up, and if a court is open, you start playing. If all the courts are full, you wait your turn. This is normal and expected -- nobody will think it is weird that you are standing on the side waiting.
Paddle Stacking
At busy courts, players use a system called paddle stacking to manage the queue. You place your paddle in a line near the court (usually leaning against the fence or on a bench), and when a game finishes, the next four paddles in line form the next group. It is a simple, fair system that keeps things moving. If you show up to a busy court, just ask someone where to put your paddle.
Games Go to 11
Standard recreational games are played to 11 points, and you must win by 2. A typical game takes 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how competitive it is. Games move quickly, which means even if you are waiting, your turn comes up soon.
People Rotate In and Out
At open play sessions, players mix and match constantly. You will play with different partners and against different opponents throughout the session. This is one of the best things about pickleball culture -- you meet a lot of people, and you get exposed to different playing styles. Do not get attached to any one partner or opponent.
Everyone Was a Beginner Once
This might be the most important thing to know: the pickleball community is overwhelmingly welcoming to new players. Almost everyone on the court remembers what it felt like to show up for the first time, not knowing the rules, not knowing where to stand, not knowing how to keep score. People will help you. They will explain rules mid-game. They will give you tips between points. You will make mistakes, and that is completely fine.
Do not let nerves keep you from showing up. The worst thing that happens is you miss a few shots and learn something. The best thing that happens is you find your new favorite hobby.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to learn pickleball?
You can learn the basic rules and start playing a real game within 15 to 30 minutes. Most people feel comfortable with serving, scoring, and the two-bounce rule after two or three sessions. Developing consistent shot placement and strategic awareness takes longer -- a few weeks of regular play will get you to the point where rallies feel natural. The beauty of pickleball is that the learning curve is gentle. You will have fun from the very first game, and you will noticeably improve each time you play.
Can I play pickleball if I have never played racquet sports?
Absolutely. Pickleball is one of the most beginner-friendly sports in existence. The court is small, the ball moves at a manageable speed, and the underhand serve eliminates one of the biggest frustrations in racquet sports (nobody is blasting serves past you). If you can swing your arm and move your feet, you can play pickleball. Experience in tennis, badminton, or table tennis will give you a slight head start, but it is not necessary at all. Plenty of people pick up pickleball as their first racquet sport and do great.
What is the difference between indoor and outdoor pickleball?
The biggest difference is the ball. Outdoor balls are harder, heavier, and have smaller holes -- they are designed to handle wind and play on rougher surfaces. Indoor balls are softer, lighter, and have larger holes, making them slower and easier to control. Beyond the ball, outdoor courts are typically concrete or asphalt and are subject to weather conditions like wind and sun. Indoor courts often have sport-court or gym-floor surfaces that are easier on your joints. The rules are exactly the same regardless of where you play. Many players prefer indoor play for the controlled conditions, while others like the fresh air and energy of outdoor courts.
How many people do you need to play?
You need a minimum of two people for singles or four people for doubles. Doubles is by far the more popular format and is what you will encounter at most open play sessions. If you show up to a court alone, you will almost always be able to find three other people to play with -- that is the norm at public courts. Some players also practice drills or serve practice by themselves, but you need at least one opponent for a real game. If you are bringing friends, four is the ideal number.
Get Out There and Play
Now that you know the basics -- the equipment, the court layout, the serving rules, the two-bounce rule, and what to expect when you show up -- there is only one thing left to do. Find a court and play your first game.
You are not going to remember every rule perfectly. You will probably serve to the wrong side at some point, forget the score, or step into the kitchen when you should not. That is all part of the process, and nobody will hold it against you. The rules will click faster than you think, and within a few games, the things that felt confusing will become second nature.
Check out our LA court guides to find the best places to play near you, or brush up on the complete rules if you want to go deeper before your first game. Pickleball is better when more people play, so grab a paddle, find a court, and get in the game.
Ready to play?
Check out our court guides to find the best places to practice in LA.