Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, fusing tennis, badminton, and table tennis into an addictive game that hooks players from the first bounce. 

Ready to join? Here are the basics you need to know.

The Game 

Matches are typically best of 3 games to 11 points (win by 2). Singles or doubles battle it out with side-out scoring – points only scored when you’re serving.

Four Essential Rules

1. The Serve: Keep it underhand and diagonal, clear the Kitchen (non-volley zone) to start the play.
2. Double Bounce Rule: Both serve and return must bounce before players can start volleying. This creates the rhythm of the game.
3. The Kitchen Rule: No volleys in the 7-foot zone near the net (the Kitchen). Back up to play it off the bounce.
4. Rally Ends: When the ball fails to clear the net, bounces twice, or lands out of bounds.

Basic Strategy 

Pickleball blends raw power with precise control. Games shift between explosive exchanges and strategic net play in the blink of an eye.

Top players command both speeds – unleashing speed-ups in full-court battles, then switching to deadly accurate dinks at the Kitchen line. Reading the game and picking your moments makes the difference.

Want a winning edge? Get to the Kitchen line, mix your shots, and keep your opponents guessing.