Updated October 2026

Pickleball 101

Everything a new player needs, in the order you need it. Rules, gear, your first shots and how to walk into open play like a regular.

Where are you starting from?

The rules in 60 seconds

The game at a glance
Players2 or 4. Most rec play is doubles.
ServeUnderhand, diagonal, past the kitchen line. One try.
Two-bounce ruleThe serve and the return each bounce before anyone volleys.
The kitchenNo volleys while standing in the 7-foot zone by the net, or on its line.
ScoringTo 11, win by 2. Only the serving team scores.
Pickleball court, 44 by 20 feet. The server serves from behind the baseline, diagonally over the kitchen into the far service court. The returner waits at the baseline while the returner's partner stands at the kitchen line. KITCHEN KITCHEN NET 44 FT 1234
1Server. Serves from behind the baseline, starting on the right side.
2Server's partner. Stays back too. The return has to bounce before your team can volley.
3Returner. Waits deep at the baseline. The serve must clear the kitchen and land in this box.
4Returner's partner. Starts at the kitchen line, already in position to volley.
44 x 20 ft · Kitchen 7 ft each side · Net 34 in at centerFull court dimensions

Go deeper on the rules

Your first 6 reads

About 30 minutes, in this order

Free tools · 3 minutes each

Find your level. Find your paddle.

Rating quizTwelve questions, no account. Get your rating range and a DUPR estimate.Take the quiz
Paddle quizAnswer a few questions and get three paddle matches from lab data.Find my paddle
Question for youWhat's the hardest part of your game right now? Join free, answer 4 quick questions, and we'll send the guides that fix it.Tell us

Watch a point unfold

The first 7 shots of a typical rec point
Serve to winner in 12 seconds
Animated court showing the first seven shots of a doubles point: serve, return, third shot drop, fourth shot drive, volley reset, crosscourt dink and a hands battle at the net. KITCHEN KITCHEN SERVING TEAM RECEIVING TEAM 1234

Tap any shot to replay it

7 Primary Pickleball Shots

In this order · each one about a minute to watch
01
The serve Rules, step-by-step technique, every serve type, a drill you can score and coach notes from Marko Grgic. Read the full guide
02
The return Deep returns buy you time to get to the kitchen.
03
Third shot drop The soft shot that gets the serving team to the net.
04
Third shot drive The hard option when the return comes back short or high.
05
The volley Hitting the ball out of the air, compact and in front.
06
The dink The soft shot at the kitchen line that wins most rec rallies.
07
Rolling volley Topspin on a volley, so you can attack a ball at the net.
Pickleball Union on YouTube Never miss a training video Subscribe and get every new shot breakdown and drill from coach Marko Grgic. Subscribe on YouTube

When we ask new subscribers what they struggle with most, three answers keep coming back: the serve, footwork and the backhand. Watch the full Pickleball 101 playlist in under 8 minutes.

Gear for your first season

All reviews and guides

Before you buy, read how 3,617 players pick a paddle they love: what to spend, why to demo first and which brands owners rate highest.

Our beginner paddle picks

Best overall for beginners CRBN² X 16mm Power CRBN² X 16mm Power The most forgiving paddle in our top five that still feels quick. Its twist weight beats 94% of the paddles we lab-scored.
List $229.99Check price
Often on sale. Save 10% at JustPaddles with code PICKLEBALLUNION.
The brand you have heard of Selkirk SLK Dauntless Widebody Selkirk SLK Dauntless Widebody Selkirk was the most common brand among the beginners we surveyed. This widebody has a big sweet spot: its twist weight beats 96% of the paddles we lab-scored.
List $179.99Check price
Often on sale. Code PICKLEBALLUNION does not apply to Selkirk.
Not sure? Get matched
?
Take the paddle quiz Ten questions, three paddles matched to how you play, scored on the same lab data as our guides.

Pickleball Union earns a commission on purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you. List prices as of October 2026; check the current price before you buy. See all five picks.

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Pickleball 101 questions

Can I volley if my toes are on the kitchen line?

No. The kitchen line counts as part of the kitchen, so both feet have to be behind it when you hit a ball out of the air. Your momentum can't carry you into the kitchen after the volley either, even if the ball is already dead.

Am I allowed to stand in the kitchen?

Yes. You can step in and stay there as long as you like, and you can hit any ball that has bounced. The only thing you can't do in the kitchen is volley.

Why does everyone start the game by calling 0-0-2?

The doubles score has three numbers: your team's score, the other team's score, then which server you are (1 or 2). The first team to serve only gets one server before the serve passes over, so the game opens on server 2 to soften that first-serve advantage.

Which side do I serve from?

The first serve after every side-out comes from the right-hand court. Each time your team wins a point, the server and partner swap sides and the server goes again from the left, then the right.

What happens if my serve clips the net?

It's in play if it lands in the correct service court. There are no do-overs for net serves under current USA Pickleball rules. If it lands in the kitchen, including the kitchen line, it's a fault.

Is a ball on the line in or out?

In. Any part of the ball touching the baseline, sideline or centerline is good. The one exception is the serve: a serve that lands on the kitchen line is out.

Is the drop serve still legal in 2026?

Yes. Drop the ball from a natural height, let it bounce, and hit it with any motion. You just can't toss it, throw it down or add spin when you release it.

What paddle should a beginner buy?

A widebody paddle around 8 oz with a 16mm core gives you the biggest sweet spot. Our lab-ranked beginner picks list between $180 and $280 and go on sale often. The paddle quiz matches you in about 3 minutes.

Do I need a USA Pickleball approved paddle?

Only for sanctioned tournaments. Any paddle works for rec play, leagues and lessons, though most paddles worth buying are approved anyway.

Indoor or outdoor balls: does it matter?

Yes. Outdoor balls are harder, have smaller holes and play faster. Indoor balls are softer with bigger holes and bounce slower. Use whatever your courts use, and bring one of each if you play both.

What rating is a beginner?

Most new players land between 2.0 and 2.5 in their first months. Take the free rating quiz to see where you are and which guides fit your level.