Your first game, step by step
What 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.
Before you arrive
You only need four things: a paddle, court shoes, water and a basic idea of the score call. Read side-out scoring once before you go. Nobody expects a beginner to be perfect, but knowing that the score has three numbers in doubles will make you feel at home.
Step by step at the courts
- Find the beginner courts or session. Ask anyone. Pickleball players are famously welcoming.
- Put your paddle in the rack or line. This reserves your place in the rotation. See etiquette.
- Warm up while you wait. Light movement and a few stretches. See warm-up.
- When your paddle comes up, walk on with the other three players. Introduce yourself and say you are new. Partners will help.
- Decide who serves first. Often a quick paddle spin or "first to the net" decides it.
- Play to 11, win by 2. Then all four players come off, and the next group goes on.
Where to stand
At the start of each point in doubles:
| Role | Where |
|---|---|
| Server | Behind the baseline, diagonal to the receiver |
| Server's partner | Behind the baseline too, because your team must let the return bounce |
| Receiver | Near the baseline, ready to let the serve bounce |
| Receiver's partner | At the kitchen line |
After the return is hit, the receiver moves forward to join the partner at the kitchen line. The serving team moves up when it can. Doubles positioning explains why.
The five beginner mistakes
- Volleying the return of serve. The serving team must let the return bounce. Learn the two-bounce rule.
- Stepping into the kitchen to volley. If you hit the ball in the air, your feet must be outside the kitchen and off the line. See the kitchen.
- Hitting everything hard. Hard shots from the baseline usually fly out or get volleyed back at your feet. Learn the dink.
- Staying at the baseline. The team at the kitchen line has a big advantage. Get there when you can.
- Forgetting the score. Call it loudly before every serve. Everyone does this at first.
A simple game plan for day one
- Serve deep and safe. Aim for the middle of the service box, well past the kitchen line. Getting the serve in matters more than power. See serve and return.
- Return deep and walk in. Hit your return high and deep, then move to the kitchen line.
- Keep it in the middle. Shots down the middle are safer and can confuse opponents about who should take them.
- Say "mine" or "yours." Talk to your partner. See communication.
Calling the score
The server calls the score before every serve, loud enough for everyone. In doubles it is three numbers: serving team's score, receiving team's score, then server number (1 or 2). The first serve of the game is called "0-0-2." Do not worry if you get it wrong. Someone will help.
After the game
Tap paddles at the net and say "good game." Then put your paddle back in the line and do it again. Most players play four to six games in a typical session.
Ask one player after each session for one thing to work on. Small, specific feedback adds up faster than anything else.
When you are hooked, follow the 30-day roadmap for a structured first month.