Learn Pickleball
Everything you need to know about the fastest-growing sport in North America — from basic rules and scoring to court dimensions, equipment, and skill levels.
What is Pickleball?
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Played on a court roughly one-quarter the size of a tennis court, it uses a perforated polymer ball and solid paddles. The game can be played as singles or doubles, making it accessible to players of all ages and fitness levels.
What makes pickleball unique is its emphasis on strategy over raw power. The non-volley zone (commonly called "the kitchen") forces players to develop soft-game skills like dinking and drop shots, creating engaging rallies that reward finesse and placement. This strategic depth, combined with a relatively gentle learning curve, has made pickleball the fastest-growing sport in North America for three consecutive years.
History & Origins
Pickleball was invented in the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Congressman Joel Pritchard and his friend Bill Bell returned home from a round of golf to find their families bored with nothing to do. They improvised a game using ping-pong paddles, a perforated plastic ball, and a badminton court with a lowered net. Their neighbor Barney McCallum soon joined in, and together the three men refined the rules over the following weeks.
The name "pickleball" was coined by Joel's wife, Joan Pritchard, who drew a comparison to the "pickle boat" in crew racing — a boat crewed by leftover rowers from other boats. The sport grew steadily through community recreation centers and retirement communities throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
The USA Pickleball Association (now USA Pickleball) was established in 1984 to promote the sport and standardize its rules. The game saw explosive growth starting around 2020, fueled by the pandemic's demand for outdoor, socially-distanced activities. Today, pickleball boasts over 48 million players in the United States alone, with professional tours like the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball drawing significant audiences and sponsorships.
Invented on Bainbridge Island, WA by Pritchard, Bell, and McCallum
First corporation formed to protect the sport's creation
USA Pickleball Association established
First pickleball rules published in the Arizona Senior Olympics
First USAPA National Tournament held in Buckeye, AZ
Pandemic drives massive growth in participation
Named America's fastest-growing sport for 3rd consecutive year
Over 48 million players in the US; professional leagues expand globally
Basic Rules
Pickleball follows a straightforward set of rules that make it easy to learn but challenging to master. The official rulebook is maintained by USA Pickleball and updated annually. Below are the fundamental rules every player should know.
The Serve
The serve must be made underhand with the paddle contacting the ball below the server's waist. The serve is made diagonally cross-court and must clear the non-volley zone (kitchen). Only one serve attempt is allowed (no let serves since 2021). The server must keep both feet behind the baseline until the ball is struck.
Double-Bounce Rule (Two-Bounce Rule)
After the serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce once before returning it. Then the serving team must also let the return bounce once before playing it. After these two bounces, either team may volley the ball (hit it out of the air) or play it off the bounce. This rule eliminates the serve-and-volley advantage and extends rallies.
Non-Volley Zone (The Kitchen)
The non-volley zone is the 7-foot area on each side of the net, commonly called 'the kitchen.' Players cannot volley (hit the ball out of the air) while standing in or touching the kitchen line. You may enter the kitchen to play a ball that has bounced. Your momentum after a volley cannot carry you into the kitchen either.
Scoring
Only the serving team can score points. Games are typically played to 11 points, and you must win by 2. In tournament play, games may go to 15 or 21. In doubles, each team gets two serves (one for each player) per turn, except at the start of the game where the first serving team only gets one serve.
Faults
A fault occurs when: the ball is hit into the net, the ball lands out of bounds, a volley is made from the non-volley zone, the ball is volleyed before the two-bounce rule is satisfied, or the serve doesn't land in the correct diagonal court. A fault by the receiving team results in a point for the serving team; a fault by the serving team results in a side-out (or server switch in doubles).
Line Calls
A ball that lands on any line is considered 'in,' except for the non-volley zone line on a serve (which is a fault). Players are responsible for making line calls on their side of the court. In tournament play, referees may be present for disputed calls.
Official Rulebook
For the complete and most up-to-date rules, visit the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook, updated annually with rule changes for the current season.
Court Dimensions
A standard pickleball court measures 20 feet wide by 44 feet long — the same dimensions for both singles and doubles play. The court is divided into specific zones that dictate gameplay strategy, most notably the non-volley zone (kitchen) extending 7 feet from the net on each side.
Standard Pickleball Court
20 ft × 44 ft (6.10m × 13.41m)
Key Measurements
| Feature | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Court Length | 44 feet | 13.41 meters |
| Court Width | 20 feet | 6.10 meters |
| Non-Volley Zone Depth | 7 feet | 2.13 meters |
| Service Area Depth | 15 feet | 4.57 meters |
| Net Height (center) | 34 inches | 86.36 cm |
| Net Height (sidelines) | 36 inches | 91.44 cm |
| Minimum Play Area | 30 × 60 feet | 9.14 × 18.29 meters |
Scoring Explained
Scoring in pickleball can seem confusing at first, especially in doubles, but it follows a logical pattern once you understand the basics. The key principle is that only the serving team can score points.
In doubles, the score is called as three numbers: server score – receiver score – server number. For example, "4-2-1" means the serving team has 4 points, the receiving team has 2 points, and it's the first server's turn.
How it works:
- 1. Each team gets two serves per turn (one per player)
- 2. If you score, you serve again and switch sides with your partner
- 3. If you fault, your partner serves next (becomes server 2)
- 4. When both servers fault, it's a side-out — the other team serves
Exception: The game starts at 0-0-2, meaning the first serving team only gets one serve before a side-out.
Singles scoring is simpler — the score is called as two numbers: server score – receiver score. For example, "3-5" means the server has 3 points and the receiver has 5.
Key differences:
- 1. Only two numbers in the score (no server number)
- 2. Serve from right court when your score is even (0, 2, 4...)
- 3. Serve from left court when your score is odd (1, 3, 5...)
- 4. One fault = side-out (no second server)
Games are played to 11, win by 2. Tournament games may go to 15 or 21.
Equipment Guide
Getting started with pickleball requires minimal equipment. A paddle, a ball, and a pair of court shoes are all you need. As you progress, understanding the differences in equipment can help you find gear that matches your playing style.
- Solid face (no strings), typically 15-16mm thick
- Materials: graphite, carbon fiber, fiberglass, or composite
- Weight: 7.0-8.5 oz (lighter = control, heavier = power)
- Must be on USA Pickleball approved list for tournaments
- Perforated polymer (plastic with holes)
- Outdoor balls: 40 holes, harder, heavier
- Indoor balls: 26 holes, softer, lighter
- Diameter: 2.87-2.97 inches
- Non-marking soles required on most courts
- Lateral support for side-to-side movement
- Court-specific shoes (not running shoes)
- Good traction for quick stops and starts
- Net: 22 ft wide, 36" at posts, 34" at center
- Portable nets available for casual play
- Overgrips for paddle handle comfort
- Edge guard tape to protect paddle edges
Skill Levels & Ratings
Pickleball uses a numerical rating system from 1.0 to 5.5+ to classify player skill levels. Understanding these ratings helps you find appropriate opponents, join the right leagues, and track your improvement over time. Pickle Berry uses these same levels in our player matching system.
Just learning the rules and basic strokes. Developing hand-eye coordination and understanding court positioning.
Can sustain short rallies. Learning the serve and return. Beginning to understand the non-volley zone rules.
Consistent serve and return. Can dink and sustain rallies. Understands basic positioning and strategy.
Developing a variety of shots (drops, lobs, drives). Good court awareness. Can play competitively in local leagues.
Strong shot selection and placement. Effective third-shot drops. Can adapt strategy mid-game. Tournament-ready.
Highly consistent with all shots. Advanced spin and power control. Excels in tournament play at regional level.
Elite-level play. Competes in PPA Tour, MLP, or equivalent. Mastery of all aspects of the game.
Video Tutorials
Learn visually with these curated YouTube tutorials covering everything from basic rules to advanced strategies. Click any thumbnail to start watching.
BeginnerGetting Started
ScoringUnderstanding the Score
StrategyKitchen Rules & Strategy
AdvancedLevel Up Your Game
Ready to Play?
Find a court near you, book a session, and start playing today. Pickle Berry makes it easy to discover facilities, connect with players, and track your progress.