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Contents
Pickleball is a paddle sport that borrows from tennis, badminton and ping-pong. You play with a solid, flat paddle, a perforated plastic ball and a low net, on a small court the size of a doubles badminton court. You can learn it in an afternoon, it's mostly played as doubles, and it hooks people of every age. In this guide we cover where it came from, what the court looks like, the gear you need, how a rally works and how to get started without overspending.
In one sentence: two or four players hit a plastic ball over a low net with solid paddles; you serve underhand, the ball must bounce once on each side before anyone can volley, and nobody may volley while standing in the zone next to the net known as the "kitchen."
Where pickleball came from
Pickleball was born in the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island, near Seattle, Washington. Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum wanted to keep their families entertained and, unable to find a full badminton set, improvised with homemade ping-pong paddles, a plastic ball full of holes and a lowered net. Soon they wrote their own rules so kids and adults could play on even terms.
There are two stories about the name. One says it came from the Pritchard family dog, Pickles, who chased the ball; the other says it was inspired by the "pickle boat" in rowing, a crew made up of leftover oarsmen from other boats. Whichever is true, the game spent decades as a backyard pastime before exploding across the United States and, more recently, around the world. Today you'll find courts in parks, rec centers and converted tennis clubs in nearly every state.
The court and the net
The court measures 20 × 44 ft (6.10 × 13.41 m) for both singles and doubles. That's exactly the size of a doubles badminton court, and up to four pickleball courts fit on a single tennis court. Here are the areas you need to know:
| Area | Size | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Full court | 20 × 44 ft (6.10 × 13.41 m) | Playing area for singles and doubles |
| Kitchen (non-volley zone) | 7 ft (2.13 m) on each side of the net | No volleying inside it |
| Service courts | 15 ft deep × 10 ft wide (4.57 × 3.05 m) | Where the serve must land, crosscourt |
| Net height | 36 in (91.4 cm) at the sidelines, 34 in (86.4 cm) in the center | Lower than a tennis net |
| Lines | 2 in (5 cm) wide | A ball touching a line is in (except the kitchen line on the serve) |
If you want to lay out a court in your driveway, a gym or on a tennis court, our guide to pickleball court dimensions has all the numbers, including the recommended clearance around the court.
The gear: paddle, ball and not much else
The paddle
A pickleball paddle is flat and solid, with no holes or strings, bigger than a ping-pong paddle and smaller than a tennis racket head. The rules cap length plus width at 24 in and length at 17 in, but there's no limit on weight or thickness. Most paddles weigh 7.3 to 8.3 oz and have a polymer honeycomb core with a fiberglass or carbon fiber face. You don't need a tournament paddle to start: look for a midweight, standard shape (larger sweet spot) and a comfortable grip. We help you choose in our roundup of beginner pickleball paddles.
The ball
It's smooth, perforated plastic, about 2.87 to 2.97 in across and 0.78 to 0.935 oz. There are two types: outdoor balls, with around 40 small holes, are harder and handle wind better; indoor balls, with around 26 larger holes, are softer and bounce slower. Pick a color that contrasts with the court surface.
Everything else
Court shoes with good lateral support (tennis shoes work, running shoes don't), comfortable clothes and, if there's no court nearby, a portable net. Protective eyewear is optional but a smart idea once you start playing at the net.
How a rally works
Most people play doubles, though singles uses the same court. A typical rally goes like this:
- Serve: standing behind the baseline, the server hits underhand and crosscourt, making contact below the waist. The ball must land in the opposite service court, past the kitchen.
- Return: the receiver lets the ball bounce and hits it back.
- Third shot: the serving team must also let it bounce. This is the two-bounce rule, and it's why the serve and return rarely decide the point.
- Open play: from then on, players can volley, as long as they're not in the kitchen.
- End of the rally: the rally ends when someone faults: the ball goes out, into the net, bounces twice or is volleyed from the kitchen.
The game has a distinctive rhythm: both teams try to move up to the kitchen line and trade dinks, soft shots that land in the opponents' kitchen and force them to let the ball bounce. The team with more patience, or the one that spots an opening first, usually wins the point.
The basic rules at a glance
- The serve is underhand, crosscourt and you get one attempt. The drop serve is also allowed. If the serve clips the net and lands in, play continues.
- Two-bounce rule: the return and the third shot must bounce.
- You can't volley with a foot in the kitchen or on its line, or let your momentum carry you into it. Once the ball has bounced, you can step in.
- Only the serving team scores. Games go to 11, win by 2.
- In doubles you call three numbers: the serving team's score, the receiving team's score and the server number. Games start at "0-0-2."
Each of these has its fine print. It's all covered in our guide to pickleball rules and, if the score calls confuse you, in how to keep score in pickleball.
Why it's growing so fast
- It's quick to learn: the court is small, the ball is slow and the underhand serve keeps big servers from dominating. You'll play real rallies on day one.
- It's social: most games are doubles, players stand a few feet apart and open-play sessions rotate partners every game. It's an easy way to meet people.
- It works at any age: there's less running than tennis and less power than padel, so grandparents, parents and kids can play together. Plenty of people pick it up after 60.
- It's affordable: a paddle set and a few balls are all you need, and you can tape out a court on any smooth surface.
If you're coming from tennis or padel, you'll like our comparison of pickleball vs padel: they're less alike than you might think.
How to get started
Where to play
Many city parks and rec centers now have dedicated courts or tennis courts with pickleball lines, and plenty of tennis and fitness clubs run pickleball hours. Check your local parks department, ask at nearby clubs and look for local groups on social media or court-finder apps: open-play sessions for beginners often have loaner paddles. You can also set up your own court with a portable net and line tape in a driveway or an empty, smooth parking lot.
What to buy first
- A paddle set: a two- or four-paddle set with balls is the cheapest way to start with a partner or as a family.
- Outdoor balls: they crack with use, so keep a few spares.
- A portable net: only if there's no court near you.
- A better paddle: once you play regularly and know what you like, step up to carbon fiber or a quality fiberglass model.
Heads up: skip wooden paddles unless you're just trying the game for an afternoon. They're heavy, they vibrate and they're hard on your elbow. A basic fiberglass or composite paddle costs a little more and plays far better.
Common beginner mistakes
- Rushing the net after serving and volleying the third shot before it bounces.
- Hitting everything hard: in pickleball, control beats power.
- Staying at the baseline instead of moving up to the kitchen line.
- Forgetting to call the score before serving.
With these basics you're ready to hit the court. The rest you'll learn by playing, which is exactly what makes this sport so much fun.
Recommended gear for this guide
Frequently asked questions
What is pickleball in simple terms?
It's a paddle sport played with solid paddles and a perforated plastic ball on a 20 by 44 ft court with a low net. It combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, is mostly played as doubles and is very easy to learn.
Where was pickleball invented?
Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum, who were looking for a game their families could play with improvised equipment.
What do I need to start playing pickleball?
One paddle per player, a few balls (outdoor balls if you play outside), court shoes with good lateral support and a court. A two- or four-paddle set with balls is the cheapest way to start; add a portable net if there's no court nearby.
Is pickleball hard to learn?
No. The court is small, the ball is slow and the serve is underhand, so most people play full rallies in their first session. What takes longer is mastering the kitchen game and dinking.
Can you play pickleball on a tennis court?
Yes. Up to four pickleball courts fit on one tennis court using temporary lines and portable nets. You can also play one court across a tennis court using the tennis net lowered to 34 in at the center.