Pickleball is often described as a mix of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It’s fast-paced, easy to learn, and incredibly social. Whether you’re looking for a high-intensity workout or a fun way to stay active with friends, you’ve come to the right place.
Before you swing a paddle, here is the "need-to-know" list:
The Court: A rectangular space (the same size as a doubles badminton court) measuring 6.1 meters by 13.4 meters.
The Gear: You’ll use a solid paddle (smaller than a tennis racket, larger than a ping-pong paddle) and a perforated plastic ball.
The Players: Can be played as singles or doubles (doubles is most common at our club!).
The serve must be made underhand and contact with the ball must be below the waist. You serve diagonally across the court, and it must clear the "Kitchen" (the non-volley zone) to be considered in.
This is the most unique rule in pickleball. After the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce before returning it, and then the serving team must also let it bounce before returning it. Two bounces total before anyone can hit a volley (a shot without a bounce).
The 2.1-meter area on both sides of the net is known as "The Kitchen."
You cannot hit the ball while standing in this zone unless the ball has already bounced on your side.
This rule prevents players from standing right at the net and smashing every shot!
Points can only be scored by the serving team. Games are typically played to 11 points, and you must win by a 2-point margin.
"Keep it simple! Focus on getting the ball over the net and deep into the opponent's court. Precision beats power every time in pickleball."
Communication is Key: If you’re playing doubles, talk to your partner. A simple "Mine!" or "Yours!" goes a long way.
Respect the Dinks: A "dink" is a soft shot that drops into the opponent's Kitchen. It might look easy, but it’s a strategic powerhouse.
Hydrate: Even though the court is smaller than tennis, you'll be moving more than you think.