Guide
How to start playing pickleball
Pickleball is one of the easiest sports to pick up: the court is small, the ball is slow, and you can play a real game on your first day. You need a paddle, a ball, court shoes and someone to play with. Here's how to go from zero to your first good game.
What you need
- A paddle. A mid-priced beginner paddle is plenty. You don't need a pro paddle to start, and many places have loaners for clinics.
- Balls. Outdoor balls have smaller holes and are harder; indoor balls are softer with bigger holes. Use the right one for where you play.
- Court shoes. Tennis or court shoes with side support, not running shoes. Most beginner injuries come from lateral moves in the wrong shoes.
- Water and eye protection if you'll be near the net a lot. Neither is required, both are smart.
The five rules to learn first
- Serve underhand, diagonally, with one foot behind the baseline. You get one serve.
- Let it bounce twice: once on the return of serve and once on the return of the return. Then you can volley.
- Don't volley in the kitchen, the 7 feet in front of the net.
- Only the serving side scores in traditional scoring, games to 11, win by 2.
- Call the score before every serve.
The details are in our rules guide and scoring guide.
Where to play your first games
- A beginner clinic or lesson. Many parks departments, YMCAs and indoor clubs run beginner sessions. In Louisville, for example, Louisville Parks lists free beginner lessons at a community center. Search "
beginner pickleball". - Beginner open play. Many places have beginner hours or a "3.0 and under" court. Tell people you're new; regulars are usually glad to explain.
- A game at your level. In Matchd, set your level realistically (most new players are around 2.0 to 2.5) and look for games whose skill range fits you. Games are ranked by how well they fit, so beginner-friendly games show up first.
Your first month
- Learn the dink. The soft shot that lands in the kitchen is the heart of the game.
- Get to the kitchen line. Most points are won at the net, not the baseline.
- Keep the ball in play. At the beginner level, the team with fewer unforced errors wins almost every game.
- Play often. Two or three times a week beats one long session.
When rallies start lasting and your serves land reliably, you're heading toward 3.0. See skill levels explained.
Frequently asked questions
Is pickleball easy to learn?
The basics are quick: most people can rally and play a scored game on their first day. Getting good, especially the soft game at the net, takes regular play.
What do I need to start playing pickleball?
A paddle, the right balls for indoor or outdoor play, and court shoes. That's it. Many clinics lend paddles.
Where can beginners play pickleball?
Beginner clinics at parks departments, YMCAs and indoor clubs, beginner open play hours, and games posted for players at your level.
What skill level is a beginner?
New players usually start around 2.0 to 2.5 on the USA Pickleball scale, and many reach 3.0 within a few months of regular play.
How long is a pickleball game?
A rec game to 11 usually takes 10 to 20 minutes, depending on level and rallies.
Sources
Facts on this page come from the official sources below, written in our own words. Courts and schedules change: check the source before you go.
Find a game at your level
Matchd shows pickleball games near you, ranked by how well they fit your skill. Join in a tap, or host your own.
Free. For players 16 and up.