WHAT IS PICKLEBALL
Sometimes the best ideas come from making do with what you have. Back in 1965, Joel Pritchard and his pals wanted to play badminton with their kids, but no one could find the rackets. So they lowered the net, grabbed some ping-pong paddles, swapped in a plastic ball—and with that, pickleball was born.
The game obviously caught on—because today, this mash-up of tennis, badminton and ping-pong is officially the fastest-growing sport in the nation. If you’re ready to see what all the hype is about, we’ve got you covered. In this how-to-guide for beginners, we’re explaining the basic pickleball rules for serving, scoring and rallying with some help from adidas pro pickleball athlete Jaume Martinez Vich.
Jaume started out as a professional tennis player and made the switch to pro pickleball in 2023. Like so many pickleball players, the sport clicked for him right away. “I love how inclusive it is,” he said. "Pickleball is a really social game, with a very vibrant, supportive community.”
Ready to jump in? It all starts with the right pickleball gear.
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY PICKLEBALL
Pickleball Paddles
Unlike tennis rackets, pickleball paddles are solid and come in different materials, weights, and grip sizes. Beginners typically start with lightweight paddles for better control, while more advanced players tend to use heavier paddles for extra power.
Pickleball Balls
Designed specifically for pickleball gameplay, these specialized balls feature small holes that affect their speed, bounce, and flight path. Indoor balls are lighter and have larger holes; outdoor balls are heavier to stand up to wind resistance.
Footwear
Pickleball involves a lot of side-to-side movement, so be sure to wear footwear like adidas Pickleball Shoes or adidas Tennis Shoes that offer plenty of stability and support to prevent rolled ankles.
Apparel
What works on the tennis court works in pickleball, too. Look for lightweight, moisture-wicking pieces like the Climacool tanks and shorts.
KNOW YOUR COURT
One of the first things you’ll notice about a pickleball court is that it’s smaller than a tennis court—which means less running, quicker rallies, and a focus on finesse over power. Within the court, you’ll want to get familiar with these key zones:
Baseline
The baseline is the line at the back of the court, parallel to the net. This is the line you stand behind when serving.
Sidelines
The sidelines run along the length of the court, marking the side boundaries. If a ball lands outside these lines, it’s out of bounds.
Service Areas
Each side of the court is divided into two service areas: left and right. The ball must land in one of these areas after a serve.
Center Line
The center line divides the service areas into two equal halves.
Kitchen
Each side of the net has a 7-foot area called the non-volley zone (aka the “kitchen”) where players aren’t allowed to hit the ball out of the air.
THE EIGHT GOLDEN RULES OF PICKLEBALL
Like any sport, pickleball is governed by a specific set of rules to keep the game fair. As a new player, these are the eight fundamental rules you need to know:
Rule #1: Serves are always delivered underhand
“You can save the overhead smashes for the tennis court—in pickleball, all serves must be made with an underhand stroke,” said Jaume.
Rule #2: The correct score must be called before serving
Before every serve in doubles, you’ll announce three numbers: your team’s score, your opponent’s score, and your server number (more on that later).
Rule #3: The serve must land beyond the kitchen
Remember the kitchen area we mentioned above? Your serve needs to clear it and land in your opponent’s service area to be considered in bounds.
Rule #4: After the serve, the ball must bounce once on each side
It’s called the 2-Bounce Rule, and here’s how it works:
- When the ball is served, the receiving team must allow the ball to bounce once before hitting it.
- When the ball is returned to the serving team, they also must allow the ball to bounce once before hitting it.
After those two bounces, anything goes—you can hit the ball off the ground or volley it out of the air.
Rule #5: A rally ends when a fault is committed
During a rally, play continues until someone commits a fault. That’s any error that stops play, like serving to the wrong area or hitting the ball out of bounds. Once a fault is committed, play stops and the serve goes to the other team.
Rule #6: No volleys in the kitchen
The kitchen is called the non-volley zone for a reason—because if you hit the ball in this area before it bounces, that’s a fault. If you want to volley the ball from the air, both feet must be completely outside the kitchen—and you can’t let your momentum carry you into the kitchen after you hit the ball.
Rule #7: Each team makes their own line calls
In recreational pickleball, the player or team on the side of the court where the ball lands calls it in or out—and when in doubt, it’s in.
Rule #8: Games are played to 11 points and require a win by at least two points
The goal of pickleball is simple: rack up more points than your opponent. Most games are played to 11, and you’ve got to win by two. “That means that if the game is tight at the end—say 10-10—you just keep playing until someone pulls ahead by two points,” explained Jaume.
It may feel like a lot of rules to remember, but any player will tell you that as soon as you get a few games under your belt, it will all start to make sense.
Ready to put it all into action? Every game begins with a serve, so let’s start there.
HOW TO SERVE A PICKLEBALL
Those big overhead serves you see in tennis? Not a thing in pickleball. Instead, serves are all about getting the ball into play and setting yourself up for the point ahead. Here’s how to do it:
- Begin by standing behind the baseline, facing diagonally toward your opponent’s service box.
- Hold the paddle with a relaxed grip, then call the score.
- There’s no need for a big wind-up—instead, serve with a smooth, underhand motion, with the paddle making contact with the ball below the waist.
- Some people like to let the ball bounce first before they hit it, which can be easier for beginners. That’s called a drop serve.
- Other people prefer to hit the ball before it bounces, which is called a volley serve. Go with whatever works for you—just make sure the serve clears the kitchen and lands in the service box diagonally across from you.
RALLYING
If the serve is good, the real fun begins: rally time.
A rally is the back-and-forth that happens after the serve—with both teams hitting the ball back and forth until someone makes a mistake. In doubles, knowing where to stand and when to switch sides with your partner keeps the game moving, so let’s break it down.
Player Positioning
Simply put, the player who’s on the right side of the court when your team gets the serve is Server 1, and the player on the left is Server 2.
Server 1 starts things off—and as long as they keep scoring, they'll continue to serve, switching sides with their partner after each point.
Once your team loses a rally, the serve passes to Server 2. At that point, it doesn’t matter which side they’re on—Server 2 serves next. When the second rally is lost, the serve goes to the other team.
When your team earns the serve back later in the game, the server number resets based on who’s standing on the right side at the start of that possession. That player becomes Server 1, and the pattern starts again.
KEEPING SCORE
Before every serve in doubles, you’ll announce the score in this order: your team’s score, your opponent’s score, and your server number.
Let’s say that your team has 8 points, your opponent has 6 points, and you’re Server 1.
Before you send over a killer serve, you’ll announce “8-6-1!” and then put the ball into play.
By the way, if you’re playing singles, you can leave out the server number—just call your score first and your opponent’s score second.
SHOTS
The right shot can change the pace of the game—and the outcome of a match. Here are a few go-to pickleball shots every player should know, plus how and when to play them.
The Dink
First up, the dink. This strategic shot is played closer to the net and designed to move your opponent around the court. For the dink, use minimal backswing and gently hit the ball just over the net and into the kitchen.
The Drive
The drive is a fast, hard shot aimed just over the net. “It’s difficult to return, which allows you to take control of the game,” said Jaume. For this shot, step into the ball and swing forward with a smooth, controlled motion.
The Lob
The lob is a strategic shot that’s directed over your opponents’ head. It’s super useful if your opponent is close to the net, because it sends them into scramble mode. “For this shot, tilt the paddle slightly upwards and send the ball deep towards the back of the court,” advised Jaume.
The Overhead
The overhead shot, aka the ‘Pickleball Smash’ is one of the most powerful shots in the game. To play it, hit the ball when it’s above your head with a sharp snap of your wrist. “This can be a game-changing shot, especially when it’s hit near the net,” said Jaume.
PICKLEBALL DOS AND DON’TS
According to Jaume, how you play the game matters just as much as the points you win. “If you’re playing hard and respecting the people across the net, you’re doing it right,” he said. Here are a few tips to help you practice good pickleball etiquette both on and off the court.
DON’T: Cross an active court to retrieve your ball
If your ball lands in another team’s court during play, yell “Ball on!” then wait for a break in the action before you chase it down. “It’s safer for everyone, and prevents you from interrupting someone else’s epic rally,” explained Jaume.
DO: Add your paddle to the queue
At many busy public courts, paddles are stacked to show who’s next to play. Add yours to the pile and wait your turn to keep things fair.
DON’T: Over-celebrate
A fist-pump is totally fine—but running a victory lap around the court is probably overdoing it.
DO: Keep the vibe positive
Pickleball is a game of community, and no matter how competitive things get on the court, remember that the real win is having fun.
The more you play, the faster you’ll progress
When it comes to learning pickleball, one of the biggest lessons is simple: progress comes from playing. Get out there as often as you can, and be patient with yourself. Even pickleball legends like Jaume started somewhere—and your game only gets better from here.
When you’re not on the court, you can continue to level up your game with flexibility exercises and mobility training. Shoulder pain is one of the most common injuries in pickleball, so taking the time to develop your shoulder mobility is a great way to keep you playing injury free.