You will learn several aspects when starting your pickleball journey, including rules, equipment, shots, etc. So, how do you play pickleball for beginners?

Pickleball is an exciting and relatively new sport, attracting thousands of players with every passing day. However, people are still unfamiliar with its rules and other aspects. So if you are looking to learn pickleball from the very basics; don’t worry - you are not alone.

You should first explore and buy pickleball equipment, including paddles and a net. Next, you should learn and memorize the pickleball rules if you want to win every game. Lastly, the basic shots should be your focus when starting. You can add variety to the shots when you have aced the basics.

It’s no surprise that many people are beginning their pickleball journeys. The sport is growing at a rapid speed. So much so that many tennis courts are converting to pickleball courts. Moreover, tennis players are also switching to pickleball due to its fun and unique nature.

As pickleball experts, we have put together this guide to help beginners understand all aspects of the game, so they have all the knowledge they need to start their pickleball journey.

What is Pickleball?

It is a paddle sport that tends to combine certain elements of table tennis, badminton, and tennis. The game is played on a court with a net similar to that of a tennis court. It is played with paddles and a small plastic ball. The game can be played in singles or doubles, and it is a popular sport for all ages. Pickleball is a fun sport that all can enjoy.

The sport of pickleball was invented in 1965 by three men in Bainbridge Island, Washington. The sport was originally played on a badminton court, but the dimensions were later standardized to the current size. Pickleball has continued to grow in popularity, and today there are millions of players around the world.

Despite its name, pickleball does not have anything to do with pickles! The name actually comes from the creator's dog, Pickles, who would chase after the ball whenever it was hit.

What Do You Need to Play Pickleball?

If you want to play pickleball, you'll need a few things. First, you'll need paddles. These are special paddles designed for the game - you can't just use any old tennis racket. Pickleball paddles are usually made of composite materials like graphite or fiberglass, and they have a small head with a rounded edge.

You'll also need a pickleball ball. This is a specialized ball that's slightly smaller than a tennis ball. It's typically made of plastic with small holes, and it has a bouncy feel.

Finally, you'll need a net. The net should be about 22 feet long and 34 inches high at the center.

Paddles

There are many different types of pickleball paddles available on the market today. Each type has its own unique set of pros and cons that you should consider before purchasing. In this article, we will break down the different types of paddles so that you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.

The first type of paddle is the wood paddle. These paddles are generally the most affordable option and are often very lightweight. However, they do have some drawbacks. Wood paddles can break more easily than other types of paddles, and they may not provide as much power or spin as other options.

The second type of paddle is the composite paddle. These paddles are usually made from different materials, including fiberglass, carbon fiber, and kevlar. Composite paddles are typically more expensive than wood paddles, but they are also much more durable. In addition, composite paddles tend to provide more power and spin than wood paddles.

The third type of paddle is the aluminum paddle. These paddles are usually the most expensive option, but they are also the most durable. Aluminum paddles offer excellent power and spin, but they can be very heavy.

No matter which type of paddle you choose, make sure that you take the time to try out several different options before making a purchase. This will help you find the right paddle for your individual playing style.

Pickleball Ball

A pickleball ball is a small, plastic ball used in the sport of pickleball. It is similar in size and shape to a whiffle ball and has perforations similar to a tennis ball. The ball is designed to bounce lower and slower than a tennis ball, making it easier to play on smaller courts. Pickleball balls are typically made of two layers of plastic, with a foam core in between.

Pickleball balls come in various colors, but the most common are orange and yellow. Some balls are designed to be more visible against darker backgrounds, while others glow in the dark. There are also practice balls that are slightly softer than regulation balls, making them ideal for beginners.

There are two main types of pickleball balls: solid and perforated. Solid balls are typically used indoors because they don't bounce as much as perforated balls. Perforated balls are typically used outdoors because they bounce more than solid balls.

There are also different types of pickleball balls for different skill levels. For example, beginner balls are softer and have less bounce. There are also intermediate and advanced balls that are harder and have more bounce.

Pickleball Net

A pickleball net is an essential piece of equipment for playing pickleball. It is a net placed across the center of the court, and it is used to hit the ball back and forth.

A few different pickleball nets are available on the market, and each has its unique benefits. The most popular type of pickleball net is the regulation size net, which is designed to be used in regulation-sized courts. This type of net is typically made from nylon or other durable materials, and it can be easily adjusted to fit any size court.

The pickleball net size is also important to consider when shopping for a new net. The regulation-size net is typically 22 feet long, but nets are also available in other sizes. If you plan on playing on a smaller court, you may want to purchase a smaller net than the regulation size.

When choosing a pickleball net, it is vital to consider the game you will be playing. If you plan on playing in a tournament or competitive match, you will want to choose a net that the USAPA approves. If you are just playing for fun, any type of net will do.

Once you have chosen the right pickleball net for your needs, be sure to set it up properly. The net should be placed in the center of the court. The height should be 34 inches off the ground in the center and 36 inches at the sides.

Pickleball Court

A Pickleball court is a type of badminton court used to play the game of pickleball. The game is played with a paddle and a ball, and the aim is to hit the ball over the net and into your opponent's court. The court is usually marked out with lines, and some special rules apply to pickleball courts, such as the service rule. If you're thinking about playing pickleball, you'll need to find a pickleball court. Here's everything you need to know about pickleball court.

The first thing you need to know about pickleball courts is the dimensions. The court is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, and the net is placed in the middle. The non-volley zone line is 7 feet from the net, and the baseline is 22 feet from the net. The court is divided into two halves by a centerline, and there are also sidelines. The service rule in pickleball says that the server must hit the ball over the net and into their opponent's court. If they don't do this, then they lose the point.

Pickleball Rules

Next, you must learn all the pickleball rules to play the game. These rules are made and approved by the USA Pickleball Organization.

Serve Rule

Players must keep both of their feet behind the baseline and make the serve underhand and diagonally into the service court. The ball must bounce once before the server’s paddle hits it. It is then legal to hit the ball in the air or after one bounce. After the serve, each side must let the ball bounce once before hitting it. Players can hit the ball in the air on any serve, but not on a return of serve unless it has bounced first.

2nd Serve

If a player fails to make a good serve on the first try, that player gets a second chance. This is called a "fault." If the player faults again, it's called a "double fault," and that player loses the point.

Scoring

To start each point, the server stands behind the baseline on one side of the court. The server hits the ball diagonally across the net into the opponent's service court, who then hits it back. After each side has hit the ball twice, players must let it bounce once before hitting it again. As long as a team keeps hitting the ball before it bounces twice, that team can continue volleying (hitting it without letting it bounce). When one team fails to return the ball before it bounces twice or hits it out of bounds, that team loses the point and the other team scores.

If the score reaches 10-10, players must win by two points. In other words, the first team to score 12 points wins the game. If the score of a tiebreaker game (the game used to determine the winner if the score is tied at 10-10) reaches 11-11, players must win by two points. In other words, the first team to score 13 points wins the game.

Serving Sequence

The serve is always made from the right court. When the score is 0-0, 0-1, or 1-0, the server is the player on the right-hand side of the court. When the score is 1-1 or higher, the server is the player who just lost the last point. After each point, players rotate one position clockwise so that everyone gets a chance to serve.

Doubles Play

There are two players per team in doubles play on each of the two sidelines in doubles play. The same serving rules apply as in singles play, but both players on one team must serve before either can serve a second time. When returning the ball, each player may hit it into any part of the opponent’s court. In other words, you do not need to wait for your partner to be ready before hitting the ball.  Players take turns hitting the ball and may not hit two balls in a row unless one has bounced first. As long as each player gets a turn at hitting the ball, they can keep volleying. When one team fails to return the ball before it bounces twice or hits it out of bounds, that team loses the point and the other team scores. The first team to score 11 points (or 15 if the score is tied at 10-10) wins the game.

Non-Volley Zone

The non-volley zone is the 7-foot area on either side of the net where players cannot hit the ball in the air. This rule is in place because volleys are generally much easier to control than groundstrokes and can give one team an unfair advantage.

Two-Bounce Rule

Players cannot hit the ball in the air on any serve, but not on a return of serve unless it has bounced first. After each side has hit the ball twice, players must let it bounce once before hitting it again. This rule is called the two-bounce rule and helps make the game fairer by giving everyone a chance to set up their shot.

Fault Rules

A player commits a fault if:

• The ball hits the ground in their court before they hit it;
• They hit the ball out of bounds;
• They hit the ball into the non-volley zone;
• They touch the net or post with their body or clothing;
• They double hit the ball; or
• They carry or catch

Pickleball Shots

There are four main shots in pickleball: the serve, the return of serve, the groundstroke, and the volley.

The serve is the game's first shot and is necessary to start a rally. The return of serve can be hit anywhere on the court. The groundstroke is hit after the ball bounces. The volley is hit before the ball bounces.

Players can use different strokes to hit the ball, depending on where they are on the court and what their opponent is doing. The most common strokes are the forehand and the backhand.

Players can also hit the ball with spin to make it travel in a different direction. There are two types of spin: topspin and backspin. Topspin makes the ball travel in a downward direction, while backspin makes the ball travel in an upward direction.

There are many other shots you can learn to up your game. However, those mentioned above are the basic shots you need to learn to start playing pickleball.