Pickleball is one of the easiest sports to pick up — but a few simple rules make all the difference once you step on the court. Here’s a quick, beginner-friendly guide to how the game works.
The Basics
Pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court with a lowered net, using a solid paddle and a perforated plastic ball. You can play singles or doubles — doubles is by far the most popular.
The Serve
Serves are made underhand and hit diagonally into the opposite service court. Only the serving side can score points.
The Two-Bounce Rule
After the serve, the ball must bounce once on each side before players can volley it out of the air. This keeps rallies fair and gets everyone into the point.
The Non-Volley Zone (the “Kitchen”)
The seven-foot zone on each side of the net is the kitchen. You can’t volley while standing in it — a rule that rewards smart positioning over pure power.
Scoring
Games are usually played to 11, win by 2. You only score on your serve, and in doubles both partners serve before the serve passes to the other team.
Common Faults
- Hitting the ball out of bounds or into the net.
- Volleying from inside the kitchen.
- Failing to let the ball bounce on the serve and return.
That’s all you need to start playing. The best way to learn is on the court — join a beginner class at Apex Court Academy and you’ll be rallying with confidence in no time. Book your first pickleball lesson today.