This Pickleball Beginner Guide 2026 introduces the essential rules every new player should know, making it easier to start playing real games with confidence.

How Pickleball Works

Pickleball is one of the fastest‑growing sports in the world because it’s simple to learn, easy on the body, and incredibly fun. Whether you’re brand new or leveling up your fundamentals, here’s the Coach Paddle breakdown of how the game actually works.

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Pickleball Beginner Guide: Court, Paddles, Net and Ball

Paddle

“Pickleball court showing paddle, ball, and net for beginner guide.”

Solid, lightweight, made from carbon fiber, fiberglass, or graphite

Ball

“Pickleball paddle and ball near the net for a beginner tutorial.”

A perforated plastic ball (like a wiffle ball).
Outdoor balls are harder and faster; indoor balls are softer.

Net

Lower than a tennis net, making rallies easier and more dynamic.

Kitchen

“Pickleball kitchen area marked on the court near the net.”

The kitchen is a 7‑foot no‑volley zone that forces control instead of power.”

Pickleball Beginner Guide

Pickleball is played on a small court—20 by 44 feet—with a net slightly lower than tennis. The court includes several important areas: the baselines, service boxes, and the non‑volley zone, commonly called the kitchen. Learning these lines early helps you move with purpose and avoid common beginner mistakes.

This pickleball beginner guide explains how the sport works, how the court is set up, and what new players need to know before stepping onto the court.

How Scoring Really Works

Scoring

Pickleball scoring is simple: only the serving team can score points, and the score is always called as server score – receiver score – server number. Each team gets two servers before a side‑out, and every new serving turn starts on the right side. Games typically go to 11, win by 2.

Calling the Score

Pickleball uses a three‑number call: server score – receiver score – server number. This tells players the score and which partner is serving. Every game starts at 0–0–2 because the first team only gets one server.

Side Switching

Teams switch sides after each game in recreational play. In tournaments, teams switch mid‑game at preset points to keep conditions fair, depending on the game length.

Serving Rotation

Each team has two servers. Server 1 serves until they lose a rally, then Server 2 serves. When both lose, it’s a side‑out, and the other team gets their two serves. Every new serving turn always begins on the right side.

Your Pickleball Journey Starts Here

For official rules, visit USA Pickleball’s rulebook https://usapickleball.org/rules/