how to play pickleball
How to Play Pickleball
A beginner walkthrough for learning pickleball in minutes: court, serve, rally, scoring, and first-game strategy.
What this page covers
Learn court zones
Serve cross-court
Say the score before serving
Use the third-shot drop
First-game flow
- Serve diagonally and start behind the baseline.
- Respect the two-bounce rule: serve bounce, return bounce, then volleys are allowed.
- Work forward after a safe third shot instead of rushing the net.
- Avoid volleying from the kitchen or stepping in from momentum.
- Call the score before each serve so everyone knows the server.
Beginner path
If this is your first week playing, use the beginner guide for equipment, first-game expectations, and practice priorities.
Open the beginner guideInteractive court diagram
Toggle official dimensions and print a quick setup reference.
44 ft x 20 ft7 ft each side
Court size
44 ft x 20 ft
Kitchen depth
7 ft each side
Net height
36 in sides, 34 in center
Service box
15 ft x 10 ft
Quick answers
Is pickleball hard to learn?
No. Most new players can rally in the first session because the court is compact and the ball moves slower than a tennis ball.
What do beginners need?
A paddle, outdoor or indoor pickleballs, court shoes, and a basic understanding of serving, scoring, and kitchen rules.