Have you heard about pickleball yet? It’s the fastest-growing sport in the country and for good reason. Pickleball is a paddle sport often described as a mix of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It’s easy to learn, fun to play, and built around a welcoming community that makes it more than just a game, it’s a movement.

At USA Pickleball, our mission is to promote the growth and development of the sport at every level. One way we do this is through our three membership tiers, each designed to help players learn, connect, and grow. Membership gives you access to exclusive pickleball tips and resources, while also supporting the expansion of this ever-growing community.

The Pickleball Court

A standard pickleball court looks similar to a badminton-sized court and is divided by a net. The key lines are:

• Baselines (at the back of the court)
• Sidelines (along the sides)
• Center line (dividing the service boxes)
• Non-Volley Zone line (marking the Kitchen)

The Non-Volley Zone (NVZ), better known as the Kitchen, is the 14-foot space around the net (7 feet on each side). The Kitchen makes pickleball unique: players cannot volley (hit the ball out of the air) while standing in or making contact with this area.

Pickleball courts can be set up almost anywhere, a driveway, a gym, or a dedicated court. All you need to play is a paddle, a pickleball, a net, and a few friends.

How to Play Pickleball

Pickleball can be played as singles (one vs. one) or doubles (two vs. two), though doubles is most common.

Here are the basics of play:

1. The Serve – One team starts with an underhand serve, hit crosscourt into the service box. Unlike tennis, pickleball requires the serve to be underhand and below the waist.
2. The Two-Bounce Rule – Both the serve and the return of serve must bounce before either team can volley.
3. Rally Play – After the serve and return, teams may hit the ball either out of the air (volley) or off the bounce.
4. Faults – A rally ends when a fault occurs, such as hitting the ball out of bounds, hitting into the net, double-bouncing, or volleying illegally in the Kitchen.

Why People Love Pickleball

Pickleball is for all ages and skill levels. It’s fast enough to be exciting, yet easy enough for beginners to pick up quickly. Most importantly, pickleball is about community, people love the welcoming, social culture as much as the game itself.

Ready to Play?

Now that you know the basics of pickleball rules, the court, and how to play, it’s time to get on a court and try it for yourself. Whether you’re a beginner or looking for a new hobby, pickleball offers the perfect balance of fun, fitness, and connection.

Join the movement, because pickleball is more than just a sport. Learn more about what pickleball is and how to play.