Pickleball Basics: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide To Pickleball Rules & How To Play

 

A Comprehensive Guide to Learning Pickleball Mastering the Rules, Strategy, and Key Skills As A Beginner

Pickleball is a fun sport that has exploded in popularity over the recent years. Its simplicity to learn makes it accessible for players of all ages and abilities. This guide will provide new players with a comprehensive overview of pickleball to help you quickly pick up the sport. Nicole Havlicek, PrimeTime Pickleball, covers all the essential topics like the court layout, basic rules, scoring, positioning, and serving technique. With clear explanations and visual examples, you’ll gain the knowledge needed to step onto the court with confidence as a beginner.

Whether you’re playing singles or doubles recreationally or competitively, this manual outlines everything you need to know to have success and enjoyment with pickleball right from the start. Refer back to the various sections as needed when questions arise during play. With practice, you’ll soon understand why pickleball is considered one of the fastest growing sports. So let’s get started!

1. Equipment (0:28)

• Pickleball requires minimal equipment - a paddle, ball, court shoes, and a court
• Avoid wooden paddles as they're too heavy; use a composite paddle
• Pickleball Central has great affordable beginner paddles ($50-100); test paddle for 30 days
• Outdoor balls have a harder feel for outdoor courts
• Indoor balls have a rubbery feel for hardwood floor courts
• Optimal shoes are tennis or court shoes for lateral support (not running shoes)

2. The Court (3:15)

• Rectangular playing area divided in half by net
• Ball is in play if it lands inside bounds, fault if lands out of bounds
• Lines are in bounds
• Court divided into right and left service areas
• Server must serve diagonally into service area

3. The Lines (3:49)

• Boundary lines:
  • Baseline
  • Sidelines
• Interior lines:
• Center line - Divides service areas
• Non-volley zone line - Creates non-volley zone on each side

4. The Nonvolley Zone (NVZ) (5:06)

• Cannot volley a ball while standing in the non-volley zone
• Volley: Hitting the ball out of the air before it bounces
• If volley momentum carries you into NVZ, it's a fault
• Can enter NVZ anytime, just can't volley when inside it

5. Two Bounce Rule (6:53)

• Ball must bounce once after serve, and once after return
• Then can play out of the air or after one bounce
• Except no volleys in the NVZ

6. False Faults (7:15)

• Hitting ball into net
• Hitting ball out of bounds
• Letting ball bounce twice before returning

7. Scoring (7:43)

• Standard: First to 11 points, win by 2
• Only serving team can score points
• Alternate scoring formats: to 15 or 21 points

8. Strategy & Positioning (8:07)

• Objective: Get one more shot in play than opponent
• Advance to NVZ line as quickly as possible after serve/return
• Most advantageous position due to attacking angles

9. Non-Volley Zone Line Positioning (9:58)

• Skilled players actively try to control NVZ line
• Longer exchanges typically occur with both teams at NVZ line
• Takes good shots to advance from baseline to NVZ line
• Some players stay back at baseline as personal preference

10. Starting Positions (11:02)

• Serving Team:
  • Both players behind baseline
  • First server at start of game/after sideout on right side
• Receiving Team:
• Returner behind baseline
• Returner's partner at NVZ line

11. Serving Team Positions (11:56)

• Only team that can score points
• Switch sides after winning point, same server continues serving
• Second server serves after first server loses point
• Lose serve after second server loses point (sideout)

12. Receiving Team Positions (13:30)

• Trying to regain serve by scoring
• Do not switch sides after points
• Partner at NVZ line, Returner behind baseline
• If not returning, start at NVZ line. If returning, start at baseline

13. First Server Exception Rule (15:20)

• Limits advantage of first serving team scoring quickly
• Only one player on first service turn gets to serve
• After first sideout, each player gets serve turn

14. Scoring Examples (18:18)

Serving Team

• Right side player serves first
• Switch sides after each point but same server
• Second server after first server loses point

Receiving Team

• Returner behind baseline
• Partner at NVZ line
• Do not switch sides; rotate positions

Calling Score

• Server calls out: Our score, Their score, Server number
• Starts with 0-0-2 (first server exception)

15. Serving Rules (21:07)

Volley Serve Rules

• Hit out of the air, no bounces
• Arm moving upward
• Paddle below wrist height
• Contact below waist (use navel as guide)

Drop Serve Rules

• Let ball bounce once
• Ball can land anywhere
• Just release ball, no pushing

Pickleball is a paddle sport that has exploded in popularity due to its ease of play and accessibility to people of all ages and athletic abilities. This thorough guide outlines everything a beginner needs to know about pickleball including court components and layout, basic rules and scoring, serving requirements, gameplay strategies, and equipment basics.

The pickleball court is similar to a tennis court but smaller. It's divided into two halves by a net and further split into service zones and non-volley zones. The basic objective of the game is to hit the ball back and forth over the net one more time than your opponent, with points only scored when serving. You can only volley (hit the ball out of the air) when standing outside of the non-volley zone. Other key rules include the two bounce rule requiring one bounce after the serve and return and guidelines around foot faults and false faults like hitting into the net.

Games are typically played to 11 points, winning by 2, with the server calling out the score before each point. Only one player gets a turn to serve the first time a team gains the serve, but after that players rotate serving turns. Players switch sides after each point when serving. The receiving team does not switch sides. When playing doubles, the optimal positioning is for the serving team to start behind the baseline and the receiving team to have the returner start behind the baseline near the server and their partner up at the non-volley line.

The equipment needs for pickleball are basic. Composite, lightweight paddles are preferred over wooden paddles. Indoor versus outdoor balls differ slightly. Tennis shoes or court shoes provide the best traction and lateral support when pivoting and running on the court.

There are two main serve styles. The volley serve involves hitting the ball out of the hand on the fly in an upward motion without the paddle or contact point going above waist height. The alternative drop serve bounces before striking it. Servers have to begin the serve motion fully behind the baseline.

In summary, pickleball has simple equipment requirements, court specifics like service boxes, basic gameplay rules around scoring and volleying, alternating team serving turns, optimal player positioning strategies for doubles, and required mechanics all covered to provide newcomers the necessary knowledge to pick up the sport with confidence. Fun for all ages, pickleball popularity comes from its ease of learning and fast-paced play. (See Prime Pickleball Blog Post)

Time Code List

1. 0:28 Equipment
2. 3:15 The Court
3. 3:49 The Lines
4. 5:06 The Non-Volley Zone
5. 6:53 Two Bounce Rule
6. 7:15 False Faults
7. 7:43 Scoring
8. 8:07 Strategy Positioning
9. 9:58 Non-Volley Zone Line
10. 11:02 Starting Positions
11. 11:56 Serving Team
12. 13:30 Receiving Team
13. 15:20 First Server Exceptions
14. 18:18 Examples
15. 21:07 Serve Rules

Learning Pickleball Quiz

1. What is the standard pickleball scoring format?

a) Best of 3 games to 15 b) Win by 2 to 11 points c) Single game to 21 points d) Alternate scoring to 200 points

2. Where should the serve land?

a) Anywhere on the opposite side of the net b) In the correct service area diagonally across the net c) Directly on the non-volley line d) Within the bounds but not inside the non-volley zone

3. What shot is prohibited in the non-volley zone?

a) Forehand groundstroke b) High volley c) Overhead smash d) Backhand slice

4. After the serve, when can you legally hit a volley?

a) On the serve return b) After the ball has bounced once on each side c) After the ball bounces twice on your side d) Only if you start the point behind the baseline

5. Which paddle type is recommended for beginners?

a) aluminum b) graphite c) lightweight composite d) wooden

6. What footwear provides optimal traction and support?

a) Running shoes b) Hiking boots c) Volleyball shoes d) Rain boots

7. What shot ends the rally?

a) Hitting into the net b) Hitting long past the baseline c) Double bouncing before returning d) All of the above

8. Who determines which team serves first?

a) Higher ranked team b) Tournament organizer seeds c) Common local court custom d) Coin toss

9. What is the purpose of calling out the score?

a) So spectators can follow the match b) To determine who should serve next c) To verify the accuracy of the score d) To announce when match point is reached

10. When does the serving team switch sides?

a) After every serve b) Only before the first serve of each game c) After winning a point d) After a loss of serve occurs

11. What is the objective of pickleball?

a) Force opponents into making errors b) Advance to the non-volley zone c) Keep the ball in play one more shot than opponent d) Prevent rallies from extending too long

12. What shot can only be made by the serving team?

a) Lob b) Third shot drop c) Overhead smash d) Serve

13. What is unique about the starting score?

a) The score starts at 4-4 b) It's the only time a "3" is used in calling score c) Called as 0-0-2 due to first server exception rule d) Called as 1-1 as a shortened starting score

14. When does the receiving team switch positions?

a) After every serve b) When their team loses the rally c) When their team wins the rally d) The receiving team never switches sides

15. What allows players time to get into position?

a) The two bounce rule b) Volley restrictions c) Server announcing score before serve d) Sideouts between serving turns

Answer Key:

1. b
2. b
3. b
4. b
5. c
6. c
7. d
8. c
9. c
10. c
11. c
12. d
13. c
14. d
15. a 

Pickleball Beginner Blues Oh the thrill of pickleball I just can’t refuse, But had to learn the guidelines before I hit the courts to cruise. The basics seemed easy but wait just a sec, Let me tell you newcomers what to expect. That court has kitchen lines, so hear my advice: Mind that zone closely according to the non-volley device. Take time to position before you attack, Then pounce on the ball before the third bounce back. That two bounce rule is one you must follow explicitly, So wait for two hops unless you plan to play defensively. When learning any sport, gear matters too, For pickleball I suggest a composite paddle will do. The serve and return must bounce my friends, Then out of the air down the middle it descends. Calling out the starting score is surely unique, Since only one player serves in turn one of the technique. Shots into the net surely end play, Smacked out of bounds over the lines don’t stay. The rally concludes promptly if you commit these faults, So aim accurate to conquer the courts by default. I promise if you learn these tips by the letter, You’ll be fully prepped to play so much better. The guidelines help newcomers become pros, Just take time to properly learn the flows. The fever’s spreading so come catch the bug, Pickleball’s addicting like a well-crafted drug! Once you start rallying you’ll want more, more, more, So mind the basics then never get bored!