March 10, 2023

How to Play Pickleball

Pickleball is a fun and fast-paced racquet sport that's easy to learn and can be played by people of all ages and skill levels. In this post, we'll outline the basic rules and guidelines for playing pickleball and set you up for success the next time you step into the kitchen!

  1. Equipment: To play pickleball, you'll need a paddle, a plastic ball, and a court. The paddles are usually made of wood or composite materials, and the ball is similar to a whiffle ball. The court is smaller than a tennis court and is divided into two halves by a net. The court size is 44 feet long by 20 feet wide for doubles, and 44 feet long by 17 feet wide for singles.
  2. Serving: The game begins with a serve, which must be made underhand and diagonally cross-court. The server must serve from behind the baseline, and the ball must clear the non-volley zone, which is a seven-foot area on either side of the net. If the serve lands in the non-volley zone, it's considered a fault, and the serve goes to the other team. If the serve lands in the correct area, the receiving team must let the ball bounce once before returning it.
  3. Scoring: Points are only scored by the serving team, and the first team to reach 11 points (with a two-point lead) wins the game. If the score is tied at 10-10, play continues until one team wins by two points.
  4. Playing: After the serve, the ball can be volleyed or hit out of the air, as long as the player is not in the non-volley zone. Once the ball has bounced once on each side, players can hit it without letting it bounce again. The objective of the game is to hit the ball in such a way that your opponent is unable to return it.
  5. Faults: There are several faults in pickleball that can result in a point for the other team. These include:
  • Serving out of bounds
  • Serving into the non-volley zone
  • Hitting the ball out of bounds
  • Stepping into the non-volley zone and hitting the ball in the air
  • Touching the net with your paddle or body
  1. Playing Doubles: Pickleball can be played as singles (one-on-one) or doubles (two-on-two). In doubles, players must take turns hitting the ball, and the non-serving team must stay behind the baseline until the ball is served. The serving team can only score points while serving, and the non-serving team can only score points while receiving.

Pickleball is a fun and exciting sport that's easy to learn and can be played by people of all ages and skill levels. With these basic rules and guidelines, you'll be able to start playing pickleball and enjoying all the benefits that come with it, including improved hand-eye coordination, cardiovascular fitness, and socialization.\ \

If you're looking for a place to start your pickleball journey, Pickled Bar offers 4 climate controlled courts, offering the only indoor pickleball in Palm Desert.

Raise your game by taking a lesson with one of our certified coaches or if you'd like to experience the club in your own time, check out our Options to Play.