Pickleball Fundamentals
What Is Pickleball?
Pickleball is a paddle sport blending tennis, badminton, and table tennis, played indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court with a slightly lower net. Players use a solid paddle and a perforated plastic ball in singles or doubles, with underhand serves and the unique kitchen zone that encourages long, strategic rallies. As the sport’s National Governing Body, USA Pickleball sets official rules, approves equipment, sanctions tournaments, and supports programs nationwide. Easy to learn but challenging to master, pickleball is accessible to all ages and abilities, offering both casual fun and competitive play.
A Lasting Legacy
History of Pickleball
Born in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, pickleball began when three dads Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum decided to entertain their bored kids with a unique new game using ping-pong paddles, a wiffle ball, and a lowered badminton net. The result? A sport that’s popular, endlessly fun, and full of heart.
The Basics
Learn the basic pickleball rules and concepts. Pickleball is a sport for everyone and learning to play is easy and fun.
Court & Layout
A pickleball court measures 20 feet wide by 44 feet long for singles and doubles. The net is 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 in the center. Each side has a 7-foot non-volley zone (“the Kitchen”), adding strategy and placement to play.
Equipment
Players use a paddle made of rigid, non-compressible material, and a plastic ball with 26–40 circular holes. Both paddles and balls must meet official USA Pickleball specifications to be approved for tournament play. Pickleball can be played indoors or outdoors, with slightly different ball designs for each surface.
Gameplay Essentials
Serving & Scoring
Only the serving side can score points. The server continues serving until a fault is made, at which point the serve passes to the other team. Most games are played to 11 points, win by 2, though tournament formats may extend to 15 or 21 points. Learn more on how to keep score in pickleball.
The Two-Bounce Rule
Getting started
How to Play Pickleball
Ready to start playing pickleball but not sure how? You can play singles or doubles, and rallies begin with an underhand serve across the court. Each side must let the ball bounce once before volleys. The Kitchen, a no-volley zone near the net, keeps rallies strategic. Only the serving team scores, and games are usually to 11, win by 2. Simple rules make for fast, fun, and competitive play at any level.
Why People Love Pickleball
Super Easy to Pick Up
All Ages, All Levels
Low Impact, High Fun
Friendly & Social Culture
Find a Court or Club
Where to Play
Skill Level
A Sport for Everyone
Pickleball Community & Culture
Pickleball isn’t just a sport – it’s a community where everyone belongs. USA Pickleball, the National Governing Body, helps it grow through programs like USA Pickleball Serves, which provides courts and gear, as well as clinics for new players. We also sanction tournaments, certify referees, and support ambassadors who spark local play. Whether you’re here for fun, fitness, or competition, there’s a place for you on the court.