Beginner’s Guide to Pickleball: Embark on Your Pickleball Journey

Pickleball is perhaps the simplest game that is both simple to learn and requires few tools to play. Pickleball has recently gained popularity among young and old alike, despite its reputation as a game for the elderly.

As a result, a simple guide for beginners is required to help them understand how to play pickleball without losing their enjoyment. And in this guide, I will tell you simply what you need to start the game. I bet you will rush to the court today!

What is Pickleball

Pickleball is a court game where players hit the ball with a paddle. Because this game was created by combining tennis, badminton, and ping pong, many of its rules and regulations are similar to those of the three games. However, the court size, paddle, and ball qualities are solely different.

Pickleballs are played both indoors and outdoors, on different types of courts.

What Will You Need to Play Pickleball?

To begin playing pickleball, you only need two paddles, a ball, a court, and a partner, more specifically a set of paddles and a ball. Though some other tools will be required to make the game clean and enjoyable, like nets, shoes, outfits, and more, as a beginner, you don’t need them all at once. You will have a good grasp of them in my next guide.

• Paddles: The most important and necessary tool in pickleball is the paddle. It’s a solid paddle, very similar to a large ping-pong or table tennis racket. The paddle has two distinguished parts- the handle and the face. And in most paddles, two different materials are used in a paddle- the core and the surface. The materials are significant as they determine how the paddle will give you advantages according to your playing style, including power, spinnability, and more. You might prefer which paddle you will use. But you can follow my paddle guides to be more specific about your choices.
• Pickleballs: The name of the game “pickleball” came from the ball used itself. It’s a plastic ball like a ping pong ball but with holes, better to call it a ‘Wiffle’ ball. It’s lighter and harder than a tennis ball. Its holes help the ball to fly in the air with less traction. Different types of balls are used in indoor and outdoor games.
• Pickleball court: It’s similar to a tennis court, just smaller measuring 20 feet wide and 44 feet long for doubles play. The most indicative look of a pickleball court is its non-volley zone or kitchen area which is the first 7 feet area just in front of the net.

Basic Shots and Techniques in Pickleball

While you would learn many more techniques, as a beginner, know the basic shots and start to practice them to sharpen your skill.

• Serve: Start with an underhand serve, aiming to hit the ball diagonally across the net into the opponent’s service court. Each set of games or points starts with a serve.
• Groundstroke: Hit the ball after it bounces on your side. Practice forehand and backhand shots to return the ball.
• Volley: When the ball is in the air, hit it before it bounces. Volleyshots are often used near the net.
• Dink: A soft shot played near the net to keep the ball low and force your opponent into a difficult position.
• Lob: A high shot hit over your opponent’s head to create distance and buy time to recover.

What are Some of the Basic Rules in Pickleball

Pickleball derives from tennis, badminton, and ping pong, and the rules, also have similarities with all three sports. However, when it comes to the style of play, pickleball shares the closest resemblance to tennis.

So if I compare pickleball to tennis, the court is significantly smaller than the tennis court. You can play singles or doubles. Like tennis, the game starts with a serve, and players win points for their opponents’ faults. 

The basic rules you need to follow in pickleball are:

• Pickleball can be played in singles (one player on each side) or doubles (two players on each side).
• The game is played to 11 points, and the winning team must win by a margin of two points.
• The server team only gets the point, not the receiver.
• The serve must be made underhand, diagonally cross-court, and the server must start behind the baseline.
• After the serve, the first two shots must allow the balls at least one bounce before making a volley.
• The team who makes faults, either loses serve if they were the server or their opponents get one point if they were the receiver.
• The ball must bounce once on each side before players can volley (hit the ball in the air).
• When volleying, players cannot enter the non-volley zone, which is a 7-foot area on either side of the net.

Avoid these faults in pickleball:

• Making a volley from the non-volley zone
• The ball drops out of the play area
• The ball does not cross the net
• The ball bounces two times before it is returned to the other side
• The ball touches other things in the court except the paddle.

Strategy and Tips for a Beginner Pickler

You need to apply strategic moves on the court, especially when you play doubles.

• Placement: Aim for the open areas of the court and try to keep your opponents moving by using different shots.
• Anticipation: Focus on the ball while they are coming. Read your opponent’s shots and anticipate where the ball will go to position yourself effectively.
• Communication: In doubles, communicate clearly with your game partner to avoid confusion and make coordinated shots.
• Positioning: In singles, take strategic positions on the court so that you can cover most of its parts easily. Also, while you play doubles, make a good understanding with your partner, distribute the areas, and cover the areas they don’t.

Practice and Learning Resources for Beginner Players

• Like any other sport, without practicing a lot, you can’t improve your pickleball game. Find a local pickleball court or club to get hands-on practice.
• Learning from experienced players is always an advantage. Try to get in touch with experts and find clubs where they practice often.
• Follow online guides, watch tutorial videos, and read books. Improve your understanding of the techniques before you get the wrong direction from a fellow pickler.
• Join beginner-friendly pickleball courses, clinics, or workshops to receive guidance from qualified instructors.

Is Pickleball a Professional Sport or Just an Entertainment Game?

Introduced as a pastime game, pickleball has gotten huge attention and popularity in the last couple of decades. Many players have taken it as a professional sport, and thus it has become a competitive sport as well.

Nowadays, various tournaments are quite common in the USA throughout the year. Some of them are regularly held annually. For example, the US Open is the largest pickleball tournament.

You can check out local tennis centers, community clubs, and YMCAs to find the pickleball courts near you. There are online sites too, where you will find the contact numbers to book game sessions.

Final Thoughts

I attempted to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of pickleball in as few words as possible. You now know where you can start and what you need to play pickleball.

Follow my other guides, where I have looked through the tools, rules, benefits, and many more things about pickleball. Let me know your thoughts. Leave a message in the comment box. I will be happy to reach you.