Guides  ·  2026-06-02  ·  9 min read

What is Pickleball: Complete Beginner's Guide

What is pickleball?

Pickleball is a racquet sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It's played on a rectangular court with a low net, using a solid paddle (no strings) and a perforated plastic ball. It can be played as doubles — the most common format — or singles.

What makes pickleball special is its accessibility: the court is small (less movement than tennis), the ball is slow (more reaction time), the basic rules can be learned in minutes, and the equipment is inexpensive. A group of four complete beginners can play an enjoyable game on their very first day.

If you already play padel, check out our padel vs pickleball comparison for a detailed breakdown of the similarities and differences.

A brief history: from a Seattle backyard to the world's fastest-growing sport

Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, near Seattle, Washington. Congressman Joel Pritchard came home one summer afternoon to find his children bored. Together with friends Bill Bell and Barney McCallum, they improvised a backyard game using a lowered badminton net, wooden paddles, and a perforated plastic ball.

The name has two claimed origins: Pritchard's wife Joan said the game reminded her of the "pickle boat" in crew rowing — a boat crewed with leftovers from other teams; others say it was named after the family dog, Pickles, who chased the ball. The first explanation is more widely accepted by sports historians.

For decades, pickleball was almost unknown outside retirement communities in Florida and Arizona. The real explosion came between 2018 and 2023: from 3 million players in the US to over 36 million. The APP (Association of Pickleball Professionals) launched a professional circuit with million-dollar prize money, celebrities like LeBron James and Tom Brady bought pro league teams, and the game crossed the Atlantic.

The court: dimensions and key elements

The kitchen (non-volley zone) is pickleball's most distinctive feature. No player may volley (hit the ball before it bounces) while standing inside the kitchen or while stepping on the kitchen line — though you can enter the kitchen to play a ball that bounces inside it. This rule prevents dominating net play and forces players to think strategically about their attacks.

Equipment: paddle, ball, and footwear

The paddle

A pickleball paddle has a solid surface (no strings, unlike tennis). It measures 15-17 inches long and weighs 6-9 oz (170-250 g) — much lighter than a padel racquet. Common materials:

• Wood: cheapest option (from $15-20), great for trying the sport. Heavy with limited power.
• Composite / fiberglass: balance of price and performance ($30-80). The most popular choice for intermediate players.
• Graphite: lightweight with good control ($60-150). Preferred by advanced players.
• Carbon fiber: the premium tier ($100-250). Maximum power and minimum weight.

To get started, any composite paddle in the $30-50 range is more than sufficient.

The ball

The pickleball ball is made of rigid perforated plastic, similar to a wiffle ball. There are two types:

• Indoor ball: 26 holes, lighter and softer. More consistent bounce on indoor surfaces.
• Outdoor ball: 40 holes, heavier and harder. Better resistance to wind and wear on asphalt or concrete.

Footwear

There are no pickleball-specific shoes (yet). Tennis shoes with a flat or herringbone sole are the standard choice. Avoid running shoes: they lack the lateral support needed for pickleball's quick side-to-side movements.

Basic rules: what you need to know to start

The serve

• Always underhand (paddle moving upward at contact).
• Must be diagonal and land in the opposite service box, clearing the kitchen.
• Feet must stay behind the baseline and outside the court sidelines when serving.
• Only one serve attempt (unlike tennis, no second serve).

The two-bounce rule

This is pickleball's most important and distinctive rule: after the serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce before hitting it. Then the serving team must also let the return bounce before hitting. Only after these two bounces can either team start volleying. This rule eliminates the server's rush-to-the-net advantage and lengthens points.

The kitchen and volleys

You cannot volley while standing in the kitchen or on the kitchen line. But you can step into the kitchen to play a ball that bounces inside it. Many pickleball points are decided in "dinking" rallies — soft shots near the net — precisely because neither player can volley in that zone.

Scoring

• Games are played to 11 points, win by 2.
• Only the serving team can score. If the receiving team wins the point, they earn the right to serve — not a point.
• In doubles, both players on a team serve before the serve passes to the other team (except at the very start, when the first team only gets one serve).
• The score is called with three numbers: serving team's score — receiving team's score — server number (1 or 2).

Why pickleball is growing so fast

• Gentle learning curve: beginners can rally enjoyably within an hour. Tennis can take weeks to reach that point.
• Lower physical demands: smaller court, shorter distances, slower ball. Ideal for older players or those with physical limitations.
• Low cost of entry: paddle from $20, balls from $5. No specialized clothing needed.
• Cheap infrastructure: four pickleball courts can be painted on one tennis court for minimal cost. Municipalities can expand supply quickly.
• Social format: the doubles format encourages group play. "Open play" sessions — where you show up and pair with whoever arrives — are a core part of pickleball culture.
• Media visibility: celebrity investment and the MLP (Major League Pickleball) professional circuit have dramatically raised the sport's profile.

Pickleball in Spain: where it stands and where it's going

In Spain, pickleball lags behind the US but is growing. The Spanish Tennis Federation has recognized pickleball within its structure since 2022. The most active communities are:

• Madrid and Barcelona: dedicated pickleball clubs and regular sessions at sports centers.
• Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca: strong presence in British and American expat communities.
• Canary Islands and Balearics: present in tourist complexes and residential communities with international populations.

The main obstacle in Spain is the padel infrastructure. With over 22,000 padel courts and 7 million players, padel has an enormous head start. Pickleball will need to coexist with padel rather than replace it, at least in the short to medium term.

Pickleball vs padel vs tennis: comparison table

Tips for getting started

1. Find an open play session. Most clubs and sports centers with pickleball run open play sessions where anyone can join. It's the fastest way to learn from more experienced players.
2. Don't buy expensive equipment yet. A $30-40 composite paddle is perfect for the first few months.
3. Learn the two-bounce rule before your first game. It's the rule that confuses beginners most and causes the most violations in early matches.
4. Practice dinking from day one. The dink — a soft shot near the net — is the most strategically important shot in pickleball. Beginners tend to hit too hard; advanced players know that patience at the kitchen wins points.
5. Move toward the net after the serve. Once the two-bounce rule is satisfied, the goal is to establish a net position as quickly as possible. That's where points are won.
6. Play with people at your level. If you start against advanced players, the pace can be frustrating. Most clubs have skill-level groups.

For more on the differences between tennis and padel, that article also provides useful context if you're coming from a racquet sports background.