Pickleball Basics for Beginners
Are you excited to dive into the pickleball craze? Join the community at Santa Barbara Pickleball Shop! This sport is booming in popularity across America, and it's easy to see why—pickleball is a blast! Whether you're new to the game or just looking to brush up on the basics, this guide will help you get started. Follow these 7 simple rules and you'll be on the court in no time.
What You Need to Start
To begin playing, you'll need:
- A quality pickleball paddle.
- Pickleballs.
- Access to a pickleball court.
Consider taking a private lesson or joining a beginner's clinic to learn the basics. These sessions often provide equipment, so you don't need to buy your own gear right away.
Overview of Pickleball
Pickleball is played on a court the size of a badminton court (20' x 44') with a net that stands 36" high at the sidelines and 34" at the center. Each side of the court includes a 7' area called the non-volley zone, or the "kitchen," where players can't hit the ball directly out of the air. The game is usually played in doubles (two players per team), and that's what we'll focus on here.
The 7 Main Rules of Pickleball
Here’s a quick look at the basic rules. We'll go into more detail for each one further down.
Rule #1: Starting the Rally with a Serve
Every game and rally starts with a serve. The player on the right side of their court serves first, aiming diagonally to their opponent. You can serve after the ball bounces or hit it out of the air (volley serve), but the serve must clear the kitchen. For a volley serve, use an underhand stroke and make contact below the waist, making sure your paddle moves in an upward arc. Stay tuned for a deeper look into each rule, and soon you'll be playing pickleball like a pro!
Rule #2: The Two-Bounce Rule
Before you can hit the ball out of the air, it must bounce once on each side. This is known as the "two-bounce rule." Imagine your partner is serving, and you position yourself near the net (also called the kitchen). Be careful! The opposing team can hit the ball right at you. If you hit it back without letting it bounce on your side first, you’ll lose the point. The two-bounce rule keeps things fair and prevents the serving team from rushing the net too quickly.
Rule #3: Playing Until a Fault
After the serve, the game continues until someone wins the rally or a fault occurs. A fault ends the rally and can happen in several ways:
- Serving the ball outside the correct area or into the kitchen.
- Hitting the ball out of bounds.
- The ball hitting the net and staying on your side.
- The ball bouncing twice on one side before being returned.
Rule #4: No Volleys in the Kitchen
The 7-foot area on each side of the net is called the non-volley zone, or the "kitchen." You can't hit the ball out of the air while standing in this zone. Even if your momentum takes you into the kitchen after hitting a volley, it’s still a fault.
Rule #5: You Only Score on Your Serve
Rule about the kitchen: You can hit the ball if it bounces in the kitchen but not out of the air. If your opponent's shot lands in the kitchen, you can step in and play it. Rule about scoring: Points are only scored on your serve. Continue serving until you lose a rally, then switch sides with your partner after each point won. If your team loses a point, your partner serves next until you lose another point. The serve then switches to the other team. Simplified Scoring Explanation for Pickleball Beginners
Rule #6: Always call the score before serving
In pickleball, the score is announced with three numbers, such as "0-0-2." Here's what each number represents:
- First Number - The score of the serving team.
- Second Number - The score of the receiving team.
- Third Number - The server number (either the first server (1) or the second server (2) for that team).
Example:
If the game is tied at 3-3 and you are the first server, you will call out "3-3-1" before serving. This indicates:
- 3 - Your team's score.
- 3 - The opposing team's score.
- 1 - You are the first server.
If you lose the rally, your teammate will serve next and call out "3-3-2," showing they are the second server.
If your teammate loses the serve, a "side out" occurs, meaning it's now your opponent's turn to serve. They will start their serve by calling out "3-3-1."
Understanding these basics will help you keep track of the game and ensure everyone knows the current score and server.
At the beginning of a new game, the first server announces "0-0-2." This occurs because the team serving first is granted just one serve, as they hold the advantage of scoring first.
Rule #7: Winning by 2 Points
Here's the deal—your team needs to hit 11 points to win, but there's a catch! You have to be ahead by 2 points. If it's a nail-biting 10-10 tie, the game isn't over when one team scores next. You keep playing past 11-10 until someone gets that crucial 2-point lead. This means games can go on for a while, making them super exciting. Get ready to see scores like 12-10, 15-13, or even a marathon match at 21-19. These intense games are where the real fun happens!
It's all about staying focused, hustling for each point and celebrating when you finally clinch that 2-point victory.
Now that you understand the basic rules of pickleball, it's time to grab a paddle from Santa Barbara Pickleball Shop and hit the court! Remember to stay aware of your surroundings, communicate with your partner and have fun. With practice, you'll be dominating the court in no time. And who knows? You may even become a pickleball pro one day! Keep serving up those points and enjoy the game!
Happy Pickleballing!
