A Complete Guide to Pickleball

Pickleball is a fun and fast-paced sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It’s played on a court similar to a badminton court but smaller than a tennis court. Players use paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball (like a whiffle ball) over a net.

Where to Play Picklebll

Pickleball: The Basics

The Serve

Stance: The server must stand behind the baseline, with at least one foot on the court.

Serving Motion: The serve must be underhand and the paddle head must remain below the wrist at the point of contact. The paddle must make contact with the ball below the server's waist.

Ball Placement: The serve must be made diagonally across the court and land within the lines of the opposite service box and outside of the kitchen/NVZ.

Kitchen or Non-Volley Zone (NVZ)

You cannot hit a volley shot out of the air while in the kitchen. The Kitchen or the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) is a 7-foot area on both sides of the net. You are not permitted to step into the Kitchen and hit a ball out of the air. You also can’t step on the non-volley line when you are hitting the ball out of the air. This is a fault. However, if the ball bounces, you may step inside the kitchen and return the shot over the net.

Double Bounce Rule

Each team must play their first shot off of a bounce. At the start of a rally, one team serves across the court to the other team. The serve must bounce once on that side before you return the ball. You cannot hit it directly out of the air. When your return shot goes over the net, that shot must also bounce before the serving team returns it to you. At that point, the ball no longer has to bounce before being returned. You can then volley it out of the air.

Scoring

A game is played to 11 or 15 points depending on court rules.

Common Faults

A rally is lost if…

The ball is hit out of bounds
The shot does not clear the net
The ball bounces twice on one side
A player steps on the Kitchen line and hits the ball out of the air without first allowing it to bounce.

What is Pickleball?

How to Play Pickleball

Basics for Success

Pickleball: Hints, Tips and Strategy

Serve Deep

Hit your serve as deep into the court as possible. This will keep your opponent near the baseline for as long as possible, giving you an advantage if you can get to the Kitchen quicker.

Get to the Kitchen

Get to the Kitchen as soon as you can after returning the serve. Arriving before your opponents will give you the upper-hand.

Keep Your Opponent Back

You want to get to the Kitchen first, and you want to keep your opponent at the baseline as long as possible. Hit deep, strategic shots to hold them back.

Focus on Accuracy

Learn to hit your shots in low, accurate spots that are difficult for your opponent to return.

Aim for your Opponent’s Feet

Aim for your opponent’s feet. This will keep the ball low and in an awkward position for a return shot

Track the Ball

Track the ball at all times. Your eyes will allow you to be successful. Watch the ball come off your opponent’s paddle so you can immediately identify the ball path and potential spin.

Play to your Opponent’s Weakness

Do they struggle with a backhand? Do they have trouble getting to low shots? Identify their weakness and then play towards it as often as possible.

Hit Down the Middle of the Court

In doubles play, hit the ball down the middle of the court. Your opponents may both go for the ball due to lack of communication. It’s a great way to create confusion.