The basics
What is pickleball?
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton. It's played on a 44×20 foot court with a lowered net, a plastic wiffle-style ball, and solid paddles. It's the fastest-growing sport in the United States, and it's remarkably easy to learn.
44 × 20 ft
Court size
34" (center)
Net height
2 or 4
Players
11 (win by 2)
Points to win
36M+
US players
1965
Founded
How pickleball works
Pickleball is played on a court roughly the size of a doubles badminton court. The net is slightly lower than tennis, 34 inches in the center. Players use solid paddles (composite, graphite, or wood) to hit a plastic ball with holes, similar to a wiffle ball.
Games are played to 11 points, win by 2. In traditional scoring, only the serving team can score a point. When the receiving team wins a rally, they earn the serve (called a side-out). In doubles, both partners serve before the serve transfers.
The most important rule beginners need to know: both teams must let the ball bounce once before volleying (hitting out of the air) on the first two shots. This is called the two-bounce rule. After that, volleys are allowed, except in the kitchen.
What is the kitchen?
The kitchen, officially called the non-volley zone, is a 7-foot area on each side of the net. You cannot volley (hit the ball out of the air) while standing in or touching the kitchen. You can step into the kitchen to hit a ball that has bounced there, but you must return to outside the zone before volleying again.
The kitchen is the most strategically important area on the court. Competitive play centers around the kitchen line, both teams try to advance there and sustain soft exchanges called dinks until someone creates an opportunity to attack.
What is a dink?
A dink is a soft, controlled shot hit from at or near the kitchen line that arcs over the net and lands in the opponent's kitchen. It's the most important shot in competitive pickleball. Good dinks stay low, force opponents to hit upward, and create openings for attacks. The ability to sustain long dink rallies is what separates intermediate from advanced players.
Why is it called pickleball?
Pickleball was invented in 1965 by three fathers, Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum, at a home in Bainbridge Island, Washington. They improvised the game to entertain their bored children using ping-pong paddles, a perforated ball, and a badminton court.
Two origin stories exist for the name: Joel Pritchard's wife Joan says she named it after the “pickle boat” in crew rowing (the boat made of leftover oarsmen). Others say it was named after their dog, Pickles, who would chase and fetch the ball. Both stories come from the Pritchard family, the truth may never be settled.
How is pickleball different from tennis?
| Feature | Pickleball | Tennis |
|---|---|---|
| Court size | 44 × 20 ft | 78 × 27–36 ft |
| Equipment | Solid paddle | Strung racket |
| Ball | Plastic (wiffle-style) | Hollow felt ball |
| Net height | 34" (center) | 36" (center) |
| Scoring | 11 pts, win by 2 | Games, sets, matches |
| NVZ / Kitchen | Yes, no volleys | No equivalent rule |
| Learning curve | Hours to play | Weeks to months |
Why is pickleball so popular?
Pickleball's growth has been extraordinary, from roughly 3 million players in 2019 to over 36 million by 2024. Several factors drive this:
- Easy to learn. Most beginners can have a fun rally in their first session. The rules are simple and the court is small.
- Social by design. Open play sessions mix players and rotate teams. It's one of the most naturally social sports ever invented.
- Gentle on joints. The smaller court and slower ball mean less running and impact than tennis. Extremely popular with older adults.
- Cheap to start. A paddle and a few balls are all you need. Most public courts are free.
- Deeply strategic. While easy to learn, pickleball has extraordinary depth. Pro-level play is tactically rich and endlessly interesting to study.
Frequently asked questions
What is pickleball?
Pickleball is a paddle sport played on a 44x20 foot court with a lowered net. It combines elements of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton. It can be played as singles or doubles, and uses a plastic wiffle-style ball and solid paddles.
How is pickleball different from tennis?
Pickleball is played on a much smaller court (about a quarter the size of a tennis court), uses solid paddles instead of strung rackets, and has a non-volley zone (the kitchen) near the net. It also has simpler scoring and is generally easier to learn than tennis.
How many people play pickleball?
Over 36 million people play pickleball in the United States as of 2024, making it one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. It has grown over 150% in the last three years.
Is pickleball easy to learn?
Yes, pickleball is one of the easiest sports to learn at a basic level. Most beginners can sustain a rally in their first session. The rules are simple, the court is small, and the social nature of open play makes it accessible and fun for all ages.
What equipment do you need for pickleball?
To play pickleball you need a solid paddle (not strung like tennis), a plastic pickleball (indoor or outdoor), and court shoes. Entry-level paddles cost $30–80. Most public courts provide balls for open play.
Ready to play?
Next steps
Put this into action
Use what you just read to find a game, get on court, and show up prepared.