After acquiring the latest gear provided by Picklepowerhouse, I’m sure you’re ready to learn how to play Pickleball. Follow the nine steps we’ve outlined for you in this article. Whether you’re a novice venturing into the world of Pickleball or a skilled player returning after a break, we’ve prepared a concise guide to help you get acquainted with the sport.
Step 1:Beforehand preparation to start your pickleball journey
Each participant in Pickleball is provided with a paddle.
Choose an indoor or outdoor pickleball court depending on your needs;
Everyone needs to wear clothing and shoes appropriate for the sport;
Pickleball!
Step 2:How to play Pickleball
Once you have all the necessary equipment for the initial step, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the rules of the pickleball game.
Before starting a game of Pickleball, a coin toss determines who serves first. Stand behind the baseline and serve. Remember, your serve should be a baseline and hit diagonally to your opponent’s side. If the ball lands in the correct area, the game is on.
It is essential to emphasize that only the serving team can earn points.
Before a player can start volleying or hitting the ball back without letting it bounce, the ball must bounce once on each side. This rule is commonly known as the “double bounce” or “two bounce” rule. You will lose your turn if you try to volley the ball before it bounces.
If you successfully volley back, play continues until the ball bounces twice or hits the outside zone. The server then alternates serves, just like in tennis.
Becoming a good pickleball player requires practicing aim, hand-eye coordination, and attention to the “kitchen.” Master these skills.
Step 3: Serve
The server must use a concealed stroke so that contact with the ball is below waist height. Unlike other racquet sports, the serve is angled across the court in Pickleball. The server positions itself behind the baseline and strikes the ball towards the diagonally opposite service area (tee).
Step 4: Scoring
In Pickleball, points can only be scored when the ball is served. Remember, you score a point when your team wins a rally and is filling. The game lasts 11, but a team must win by two points.
Step 5: Double Bounce Rule
One of the distinguishing rules of Pickleball is the “Double Bounce Rule.”. According to this rule, on a serve, the ball should bounce once on the receiving team’s court before it is returned. Similarly, on the return, the ball should bounce once in the field of the serving side before the ball is played. Only after these two bounces can, a player hit or volley the ball in the air. This rule ensures that the serving side cannot immediately smash the return and dominate the game, adding more interest and spectacle to the sport of Pickleball.
Step 6: Kitchen
Often referred to as the “non-volleying zone,” the “kitchen” is located 7 feet on either side of the net and is significant. The rules are simple. A player cannot volley within this zone, i.e., hit the ball before it bounces. This rule adds to the tactical appeal of the sport while strategically limiting players. When participating in Pickleball, you must remember to be aware of your position concerning the kitchen; stepping into this restricted area while executing a volley will cost your team points. It is a sport that balances alertness, agility, and strategic forethought, giving Pickleball its irresistible appeal. Master the kitchen, and you master a vital aspect of the game.
Step 7: The Volley
In Pickleball, the “volley” maneuver hits the ball while still in the air before it can bounce off the ground. However, this maneuver cannot be performed when standing in a non-volleying area (also informally known as the “kitchen”). If a player violates this rule by hitting the ball in the “kitchen,” they will cause an error, resulting in the team losing the serve or a point.
Step 8: Errors
In Pickleball, we refer to most actions that will cause a break in play as “Errors.” These errors include serving a ball that touches any part of the non-volleying area (kitchen), failing to return the ball before it bounces twice, failing to land the ball on the opposing team’s court, and violating the double bounce rule (which states that the ball must bounce once on each side before volleying). For Pickleball to run smoothly, familiarize yourself with these rules as much as possible before the game begins.
Step 9: Sequence of serves
The rules of the serving order in Pickleball do not match any of the ball sports we are currently familiar with. At the start of a pickleball game, only one player on the serving team has a chance to serve. After both teams take turns doing and missing, the serving pattern changes, and each team gets two cases to help – one opportunity for each player on the team. Players from both teams continue to exchange serves, alternating serves until an error occurs and the serve is transferred to the other team. Familiarizing yourself with the smoothness of the serve can help you play a smooth pickleball game.
Starting immediately
While these preparations may look and feel replicated at first, they are relatively easy to master once you start your first Pickleball match. These rules are the same whether you are playing doubles or singles. A fundamental understanding of these rules will swiftly enhance your pickleball game and improve your overall enjoyment.
Remember, Pickleball is more than just hitting the ball over the net. Playing the game proficiently requires a combination of strategy, a grasp of the rules, and, above all, ample practice. By mastering these seven essential rules, players can effectively navigate the game and create a more challenging, competitive, and enjoyable experience, regardless of their skill levels.
As you strive to master these rules, always keep in mind that, just like any sport, the ultimate aim of Pickleball is to have fun and build camaraderie with fellow players.