Pickleball, explained from first serve to tournament day
Free, plain-English guides to the fastest-growing paddle sport: the official rules made simple, every shot from the dink to the erne, doubles strategy, paddle and shoe buying guides, injury prevention and a 30-day roadmap for brand-new players.
Whether you just borrowed a paddle at the park or you are chasing your next rating bump, start with the section that matches your game.
Getting started
What pickleball is, where it came from, the court, the gear you need and how your very first game will go.
BasicsCourt dimensions and linesA pickleball court is 20 by 44 feet with a 7-foot non-volley zone on each side of a net that is 36 inches at the posts and 34 inches in the middle. Here is every line and what it does.
BasicsEquipment basics for new playersAll you need is a paddle, the right ball, court shoes and ideally eye protection. Here is what the rules allow and what to look for on a beginner budget.
BasicsHow to find courts and people to play withPublic parks, community centers, gyms and clubs all host pickleball. Here is how to find courts near you, how open play works and how to join leagues and clinics.
BasicsThe history of pickleballInvented on a summer afternoon in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, pickleball grew from a backyard family game into one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States.
BasicsWhat is pickleball?A paddle sport played with a perforated plastic ball on a badminton-sized court. Here is how a rally works, why it is so easy to learn and why so many people get hooked.
BasicsYour first game, step by stepWhat really happens when you show up for your first open play session, from stacking your paddle to calling the score, plus the beginner mistakes everybody makes.Official rules explained
Serves, the two-bounce rule, the kitchen, faults, scoring and line calls, explained in plain English.
RulesBall contact rulesWhat happens when the ball hits your body, your shirt or your paddle hand, when a double hit is legal, and when you may reach over or cross the net. Clear answers based on the current USA Pickleball rulebook.RulesCorrect server, receiver and positionsYour team's score decides who serves, who receives and from which side. Here is how to work out the right positions in doubles and singles, how to fix an out-of-order serve, and how the first server of a match is chosen.
RulesFaults explainedA fault is any rules violation that ends the rally. Here is a complete plain-English list of pickleball faults, what happens after one and the tricky edge cases.RulesHinders, dead balls and replaysA stray ball rolling onto your court is a hinder, and the rally is replayed. Learn what counts as a hinder and what does not, when a ball becomes dead, and the other situations where pickleball calls for a do-over.RulesHow to call the scoreDoubles uses three numbers, singles uses two, and rally scoring changes the call again. Learn what each number means, why games start at 0-0-2, and how to fix a wrong call without arguing.RulesLine calls and the honor systemWho calls the lines, what counts as in, why a ball touching a line is good except the kitchen line on a serve, and how to make fair calls in recreational play.
RulesFaults explainedA fault is any rules violation that ends the rally. Here is a complete plain-English list of pickleball faults, what happens after one and the tricky edge cases.RulesHinders, dead balls and replaysA stray ball rolling onto your court is a hinder, and the rally is replayed. Learn what counts as a hinder and what does not, when a ball becomes dead, and the other situations where pickleball calls for a do-over.RulesHow to call the scoreDoubles uses three numbers, singles uses two, and rally scoring changes the call again. Learn what each number means, why games start at 0-0-2, and how to fix a wrong call without arguing.RulesLine calls and the honor systemWho calls the lines, what counts as in, why a ball touching a line is good except the kitchen line on a serve, and how to make fair calls in recreational play.Shots and techniques
The serve and return, dink, third-shot drop, drive, volley, reset, lob, overhead, erne, ATP and spin, with drills for each.
TechniqueSpin in pickleballTopspin, backspin and sidespin change how the ball flies and bounces. Learn how each spin works, which shots use it, how paddle surfaces affect spin and what the serve rules say.TechniqueThe ATP (around the post)An around-the-post shot travels outside the net post rather than over the net and can land low in the opponent's court. Learn when it is legal, how to set it up and how to defend it.TechniqueThe dinkThe dink is a soft shot from near the kitchen line that lands in your opponent's kitchen. Learn the grip, stance, targets, cross-court patterns and drills that make it reliable.TechniqueThe driveA drive is a hard, low groundstroke used to put pressure on opponents. Learn when to drive instead of drop, how topspin keeps it in, and which targets work best.TechniqueThe erneThe erne is a legal volley hit from outside the sideline, next to the kitchen, by jumping over the kitchen corner or stepping around it. Learn the rules, the setup and how to defend it.TechniqueThe lobThe lob sends the ball high over net players to land near the baseline. Learn when the lob is smart, when it is a gift, how to hit offensive and defensive lobs, and how to defend against them.
Strategy
Doubles positioning, stacking, the transition zone, beating a banger, partner communication and singles tactics.
StrategyDinking patterns and strategyWinning the kitchen line is about patterns, not single shots. Learn why the cross-court dink is the default, when to go straight, how to speed up a dink safely, and how to reset when the exchange turns against you.StrategyDoubles positioningWhere to stand when serving, returning and at the kitchen, why both partners should reach the net together, and how to shift as a unit. With court diagrams described in plain words.StrategyHow to beat a bangerBangers hit every ball hard. Learn how to slow the game down, use blocks and resets, let balls go out and turn their power against them.StrategyMixed doubles strategyHow to win mixed doubles by reading skills instead of assumptions. Covers scouting, targeting, court coverage, stacking, middle balls and how to build a partnership that trusts both players.StrategyPartner communicationSimple calls like mine, yours, bounce and switch prevent missed balls and collisions. Learn the core vocabulary, between-point routines and how to be a great partner.StrategyPickleball practice drillsSolo, partner and group drills with clear reps and targets, so practice time turns into better games. Includes wall drills, dinking ladders, third-shot drop sets, transition resets and a sample one-hour session.
Gear guides
Paddle materials, weight, shape, grip size and core thickness, indoor vs outdoor balls, shoes and side-by-side comparison tables.
GearCustomizing your paddleHow edge guard tape, lead or tungsten tape, overgrips and grip inserts change a paddle, the basics of swing weight and twist weight, and which changes the USA Pickleball rulebook allows for sanctioned play.GearEye protection for pickleballWhy eye protection is worth considering in pickleball, what to look for in general terms, including the ASTM F3164 racket sports standard that now covers pickleball, and habits that lower your risk. General education only.GearGrip size and grip tapeThe right grip circumference keeps your hand relaxed and protects your elbow. Learn how to measure, why smaller is often better, and how overgrips change the fit.GearIndoor vs outdoor ballsOutdoor balls are harder with more, smaller holes; indoor balls are softer with fewer, larger holes. Learn how they play, how weather affects them and how to make them last.GearNets and home courtsThe official court and net measurements, how to set up a portable net, how to mark a court on a driveway or other space, and what to know about playing surfaces. Every number checked against the USA Pickleball rulebook.GearPaddle care and lifespanHow to clean, store and protect a pickleball paddle, why heat and impacts shorten its life, and the signs that a paddle is worn out or no longer legal for sanctioned play.
Fitness and injury prevention
A proper warm-up, the injuries pickleball players get most and simple strength and mobility work that keeps you on court.
FitnessA 10-minute pickleball warm-upA simple dynamic warm-up that raises your heart rate, loosens hips and shoulders and rehearses the movements you use on court. Takes about 10 minutes before your first game.FitnessCommon pickleball injuriesThe injuries pickleball players get most, from falls and ankle sprains to elbow and shoulder strain, plus practical habits that lower the risk. General education only.FitnessStrength and mobility for pickleballA simple twice-a-week routine for legs, hips, core, shoulders and balance that helps you move better and stay on court longer. Bodyweight and band exercises, no gym required.
Pro game and culture
How the pro tours work, game formats, court etiquette and ratings like DUPR.
CultureCourt etiquetteThe unwritten rules of pickleball, from paddle stacking and open play rotations to fair line calls, stray balls and post-game paddle taps. Follow these and you will be welcome on any court.CultureGame formats from open play to tournamentsOpen play, round robins, ladders, king of the court, leagues and bracket tournaments each work differently. Learn how each format runs and which suits you best.CultureHow the pro tours workProfessional pickleball includes individual tours with singles, doubles and mixed events, plus team league play. Learn the main formats, how players qualify and how to watch.CultureSkill ratings and DUPRPickleball levels are described with numbers like 3.0 or 4.5. Learn what self-ratings mean, how DUPR and other rating systems work, and how to use ratings to find good games.
Resources
An A-Z pickleball glossary, a 30-day roadmap for new players and answers to the most common questions.
Reference30-day roadmap for new playersA week-by-week checklist that takes you from your first rally to confident open play in a month, with skills to practice, rules to learn and habits to build. Tick items off as you go.ReferencePickleball FAQStraight answers to the questions new players ask most, about rules, scoring, gear, levels, fitness and where to play.ReferencePickleball glossary A-ZEvery pickleball term you will hear at the courts, from ace and ATP to volley and Z-shot, explained in one plain-English line each.
Watch on YouTube
Real rallies, smart shots and one pickleball tip at a time, in under a minute.
Gear up for open play
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