The Complete Beginner's Guide to Pickleball.

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the country, and for good reason. It is easy to learn, incredibly fun, and a killer workout. Here is everything you need to know before your first game.

What Is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It is played on a court roughly the size of a badminton court with a lowered net. Players use solid paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball (similar to a wiffle ball) over the net. It can be played as singles or, more commonly, doubles.

Equipment You Need

You do not need much to get started. Here is the essentials list:

• Paddle: Pickleball paddles are larger than ping pong paddles but smaller than tennis racquets. For beginners, a midweight paddle (7.5–8.2 oz) offers the best balance of control and power. Adam can recommend the right paddle for your budget and style.
• Balls: Outdoor balls have smaller holes and are slightly heavier. Indoor balls have larger holes and play softer. Start with outdoor balls if you will mostly play outside.
• Court shoes: Wear shoes with non-marking soles designed for court sports. Running shoes do not provide the lateral support you need and increase injury risk.

The Basic Rules

Pickleball rules are simple, but a few key ones catch every beginner off guard:

• 1 The serve must be underhand. The paddle must contact the ball below your waist, and the serve must go diagonally into the opponent's service box.
• 2 The double bounce rule. The ball must bounce once on each side before either team can volley (hit the ball out of the air). This is the rule that makes pickleball unique.
• 3 The kitchen (non-volley zone). The area 7 feet from the net on both sides is the kitchen. You cannot volley the ball while standing in the kitchen or touching the kitchen line.
• 4 Scoring. Games are typically played to 11 points, and you must win by 2. Only the serving team can score points.

Court Positioning for Beginners

The single most important thing a new player can learn is where to stand. In doubles, both players should start at the baseline when receiving. After serving, the serving team stays back while the receiving team moves up to the kitchen line. Getting to the kitchen line is your primary objective in doubles — that is where points are won.

The biggest mistake beginners make is standing in "no man's land" — the area between the baseline and the kitchen line. If you find yourself there, move forward to the kitchen line or back to the baseline. There is no safe middle ground.

Your First Game Tips

Here is what Adam tells every new player before their first time on court:

• Keep your paddle up and in front of you at all times. Most reactions in pickleball happen too fast to raise your paddle from your side.
• Start with soft shots. A controlled dink over the net is worth more than a wild smash into the fence.
• Watch the ball, not your opponent. Track it from their paddle to yours.
• Have fun. Pickleball is a social sport. Talk to your opponents, laugh at the weird bounces, and enjoy the game.