Pickleball is a paddle sport played on a small court with a plastic ball full of holes, and most beginners can play a real game within their first session. You need a paddle, the right ball for indoor or outdoor play and court shoes. Learn four rules first: serve underhand and diagonally, let the ball bounce once on each side before volleying, stay out of the kitchen when you volley, and play to 11, winning by 2.
The next thing worth knowing is that you don't need to buy anything to try it. Lots of clubs, leisure centres and community courts lend paddles and balls to newcomers, so you can find out whether you like it before you spend anything.
It's a mix of tennis, badminton and table tennis, played on a court a fraction of the size of a tennis court. That smaller space is why it's so easy to pick up. You aren't sprinting after balls, and rallies start happening quickly, even when everyone's new. Here's what to bring, the rules you need, and a plan for your first hour.
What you need to bring
- A paddle. Paddles are solid, flat and lighter than most people expect. As a beginner, any mid-weight paddle with a comfortable grip is fine. Don't fuss over materials or core thickness yet.
- The right ball. Pickleballs are plastic with holes in them. Outdoor balls tend to be harder, with more, smaller holes, so they cope with wind. Indoor balls are usually softer, with fewer, larger holes. Ask the venue which they use.
- Court shoes. This is the one thing I'd take seriously. You'll be moving side to side a lot, so wear tennis, badminton or indoor court shoes with good grip and support. Running shoes aren't built for sideways movement.
- Water and a layer. Sessions are sociable and you'll often sit out between games, so bring something warm for the breaks.
- Hire or borrow first. Many venues have loan paddles. Play a few times, try other people's paddles, and buy one once you know what feels right.
The rules in five minutes
Pickleball has a full rulebook, but these are the rules that come up in almost every point. Learn these and you can join a game.
- Serve underhand and diagonally. Hit the ball below waist height with an upward swing, from behind the baseline, into the service box diagonally opposite. It has to clear the kitchen and land in that box.
- The two-bounce rule. The returning side must let the serve bounce before hitting it, and the serving side must then let the return bounce too. After those two bounces, either side can volley, which means hitting it in the air.
- The kitchen. The non-volley zone next to the net is known as the kitchen. You can't volley while standing in it or touching its line. You can step in to play a ball that has bounced.
- Faults. A rally ends when someone hits the ball into the net, out of bounds, volleys before the two bounces are done, or volleys from the kitchen.
- Scoring basics. Games are usually played to 11, and you have to win by 2. In traditional scoring, only the serving side can win a point. In doubles, the score is called as three numbers: the serving team's score, the receiving team's score, then whether it's the first or second server.
For reference, the court is 20 by 44 feet, and the kitchen stretches 7 feet back from the net on each side. If the scoring sounds confusing, don't panic. Everyone gets it wrong at first, and other players will happily call the score for you until it clicks.
Your first hour on court
If you're going with a friend or joining a beginners' session, this simple plan gets you from zero to playing points without feeling lost.
- Warm up with dinking. Stand at the kitchen line opposite your partner and gently tap the ball back and forth so it drops into the kitchen. It teaches control and soft hands, and it's how most good players warm up.
- Move back and rally. Step back towards the baseline and hit easy groundstrokes to each other. Focus on getting the ball over, not on power.
- Practise serves. Take turns serving diagonally. Aim for the middle of the box and keep it consistent rather than fast.
- Practise returns. Return deep, then walk forward towards the kitchen line. Getting to the net after your return is the habit that helps beginners most.
- Play a few points. Finish with real games. Keep score, call it out loud, and don't stress about mistakes. That's how the rules sink in.
Five beginner mistakes
- Hitting too hard. The court is small, and power sends the ball out. Control wins far more points than speed at this stage.
- Staying at the back. After the return, move up to the kitchen line. Hanging around the baseline leaves you hitting at your feet.
- Forgetting the kitchen. Volleying with a toe on the line is the classic beginner fault. Glance down when you're close.
- Volleying the return. Remember the two-bounce rule. Let the return bounce before you hit it.
- Wearing the wrong shoes. Quick side steps in running shoes are how ankles get rolled. Court shoes make a big difference.
As with any new sport, if you have a health condition or haven't exercised in a while, check with your GP or doctor before you start, and warm up before you play.
Why it's a good sport for busy business owners
I'm always looking for ways business owners can switch off without needing a huge time commitment, and pickleball ticks a lot of boxes.
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- It's sociable. Most sessions mix and rotate players, so you'll chat to new people every game.
- It's quick to learn. You can play real points in your first session, which keeps it fun rather than frustrating.
- It fits around work. Games are short, so you can play a couple before work or at lunchtime and still get on with your day.
- It's a good way to meet people locally. Regular sessions are full of other business owners, freelancers and professionals. You'll build relationships without it ever feeling like networking.
If you want to build it into a wider fitness routine, I've shared some ChatGPT prompts for fitness plans that can work around a busy week. And if you fall in love with it, plenty of people have turned a love of sport into a business, from coaching to running local events.
Frequently asked questions
Is pickleball easy for beginners?
Yes, it's one of the easier racket sports to start. The court is small, the serve is underhand and the ball is slower than a tennis ball, so most beginners play real points in their first session.
Do I need to buy a paddle to start playing pickleball?
No. Many clubs and venues lend paddles and balls to newcomers. Borrow or hire one for your first few sessions, then buy once you know what feels comfortable.
What is the kitchen in pickleball?
The kitchen is the non-volley zone next to the net on each side. You can't volley the ball while standing in it or touching its line, but you can step in to play a ball that has bounced.
How do you score in pickleball?
Games are usually played to 11 and you must win by 2. In traditional scoring only the serving side wins points, and in doubles the score is called as three numbers.
