How do you Play Pickleball
Here is a quick guide on how to play pickleball. We will cover Pickleball Court Dimensions, How to Play, Pickleball Rules, Doubles Scoring, Singles Scoring, Formats of Play, Player Rotations, Pickleball Strategy, Player Etiquette, Where to Play, Pickleball Paddles, Pickleball Balls and Other Pickleball Gear
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Pickleball Court Dimensions
The dimensions of a pickleball court are 20 feet wide (inclusive of lines) by 44 feet long (inclusive of lines) for both singles and doubles. By comparison, a tennis court has dimensions (including doubles alley) of 36 feet wide by 78 feet long. From a square footage perspective, that makes a tennis court 3.19 times larger than a pickleball court. Because of the massive explosion in popularity, many tennis courts are now being converted into pickleball courts.
How Do You Play Pickleball?
At the most basic level, the pickleball is served diagonally across the net to the opponent’s service court using an underhand motion like in tennis or ping pong. The ball is then hit (returned) back and forth over the net until a player fails to return the ball in accordance with the rules. Points can only being won by the serving team (like in volleyball) and games are generally played to 11 points (win by 2).
Pickleball Rules
The USAPA – formed in 2005 – maintains and updates the official rules of pickleball. See our page on pickleball rules for clarifications and interpretations on many of the common and not-so-common scenarios. You can also download the rulebook here if you are looking for more info.
Pickleball Scoring – Doubles
Scoring is one of the most confusing aspects for the pickleball newbie. The following represents the “CliffsNotes” version for proper scoring when playing doubles. Games are typically played to 11 points (win by 2 points). Points can only be awarded after a rally to the serving team.
If it’s your team’s turn to serve, both partners get a chance to serve and score as many points as they can before relinquishing the serve back to the opponents – unless it’s the first serving rotation of the game – in which case only the player that started serving gets to serve in this first service rotation. The partner does not serve in this initial rotation.
When the receiving team wins a rally against both serving partners (or against the one partner in the first serving rotation of the game), it is called a side-out. The receiving team becomes the serving team and the serving team becomes the receiving team. To start the game – and on all subsequent side-outs – the player positioned on the right side of the court starts serving. If a point is won on the serve, the serving partners rotate with each other. The score is called as three numbers in doubles matches – serving team’s score – receiving team’s score – the server number (one or two).
Some venues may experiment with rally scoring in an effort to speed up games when there are others waiting to play. In rally scoring, points are awarded after every rally — regardless if you are the serving team or the receiving team.
Pickleball Scoring – Singles
Scoring in singles is a bit easier than that of doubles – in part because there is no second server.
In singles, the pickleball serve is always executed from the right side of the court when the server’s score is “even” and from the left side of the court when the server’s score is “odd.”
Because there is no second server in singles, when the receiving player wins the rally they earn the right to serve (side-out).
Formats of Play
There are several formats for play in pickleball: “open” play, round-robins, “traditional” tournaments, luck-of-the-draws, ladder leagues and shootouts. Venues often experiment with what works best, some venues may have a king of the hill aka challenge court. This works where the court is occupied by the same team (winning team) until “challengers” come in and knock them out.
Player Rotations
When courts are busy player rotation are often used in addition to the multiple of formats of play.
Some #pickleball venues will use whiteboards, stack paddles and some venues let players wander to the court of which they wish to play or have no organized method of rotating players.
Rotating players is a great way to keep the flow moving but it is undoubtedly one of the biggest challenges when courts are busy and have limited structure or leadership.
Pickleball Strategy
Before you ever step onto the court your can start to understand how to put together a winning pickleball strategy. Much like tennis there are several contrasting styles/strategies of play but the limited size of the court has most players agreeing that winning #pickleball is most often played at the NVZ. Understanding this, every return-of-serve should be followed immediately to the kitchen line. If this cannot be done quickly enough your can use a technique called split-stepping to work your way through the transition area.
For more on strategy and techniques read our post on Pickleball Strategies and Techniques.
Pickleball Etiquette
Etiquette in any sport is often learned and cannot be found in any official rulebook. Understanding and knowing this [unwritten] code of conduct is equally important. Read about our unwritten rules to pickleball etiquette in our post Pickleball Etiquette
Where Can I Play Pickleball?
If you do not already know somewhere pickleball is played there are a variety of places you check. In Florida you can check with your local Parks and Rec Department. Try looking up local Facebook groups. Ask around at the local pickleball / tennis store. Contact the local YMCA. More and more tennis venues are adding pickleball so if you know of a place that has lots of tennis courts chances are they have pickleball courts or combo courts (pickleball / tennis). Contact your local USAPA pickleball ambassador or check out the “Places to Play” section of the USAPA website.
Pickleball Paddles
When you are first learning any pickleball paddles will do. Don’t feel that you have go out and spend a lot of money at right away. Once you start playing a little if you like it I would recommend going out a spending a little more on a paddle. Pickleball paddles have varying weights, shapes, grip sizes, material make-up and, of course, prices. There is no “one “size fits all” paddle. After you play a few times you will start to formulate what you want in a paddle. If possible, try out a couple of different paddles before you purchase one to see what is most comfortable for you. If you’re brand new to pickleball, you may want to try out some entry-level paddles from Amazin’ Aces. They are inexpensive and prefect for the beginner.
For more in-depth information on paddles read our Pickleball Equipment post. You can also click the link below to shop pickleball paddles.
>> Shop Pickleball Paddles <<
Pickleball Balls
Pickleballs are plastic perforated balls that have between 26 and 40 holes. If playing pickleball outdoors — outdoor balls are typically used. The “outdoor” ball – because it is slightly heavier, harder and has smaller holes – travels significantly faster than the indoor ball.
>> PICKLEBALL GUIDE <<
Other Pickleball Gear
There is a plethora of other pickleball equipment and gear available. We believe that one of the most important items in addition to your paddle is your footwear. Yes, pickleball shoes. Sounds silly but proper footwear with adequate support is vital and can help prevent injury. Movement on a pickleball court is much like tennis or other racket sports and nothing like running so having something that will support the side to side / stop and go movement feel much better and prolong your pickleball career. No you don’t need to buy pickleball specific sneakers but understanding the type of support you need is a good start. You can read more about foot wear on our Equipment page
In additional to footwear there are lots of gear for the pickleball enthusiast including pickleball paddles, bags, Fitbit Activity Trackers, water bottles, sunglasses, coffee mugs and more. Read our Buying Guide for the Pickleball Enthusiast