Learn pickleball
The rules, the scoring and the gear, explained in plain English for new and improving players.
Rules
Everything you need for your first game and the rules people argue about.
Pickleball rules for beginners
The pickleball rules you need for your first game: the serve, the two-bounce rule, the kitchen, faults, lines and how a game is won, in plain English.
How to keep score in pickleball
How pickleball scoring works: the three numbers in doubles, why the game starts at 0-0-2, when you switch sides, and how singles and rally scoring differ.
The kitchen rule in pickleball, explained
What the kitchen (non-volley zone) is, when you can and cannot be in it, the momentum rule, and the legal Erne, explained with examples.
Pickleball serve rules
How to serve legally in pickleball: the volley serve and the drop serve, where to stand, where the ball must land, and the faults that catch new players.
Pickleball court dimensions
Pickleball court size, kitchen depth, net height and the space you need around a court, plus how to line a pickleball court on a tennis court.
Playing
Skill levels, ratings and switching over from other sports.
Pickleball ratings explained: 2.0 to 5.0 and DUPR
What pickleball skill levels 2.0 to 5.0 mean, how to rate yourself, how DUPR ratings are calculated, and the best paddles for each level.
Pickleball vs tennis: the differences for tennis players
How pickleball differs from tennis: court size, the underhand serve, the kitchen, the two-bounce rule, scoring and paddles, and what tennis players need to unlearn.
Gear
Paddle weight, grip size, balls and when to replace a paddle.
Pickleball paddle weight guide
What pickleball paddle weight is right for you, what light, midweight and heavy mean in ounces, and why swing weight matters more, with real numbers from 812 paddles.
Pickleball grip size: how to measure and choose
How to measure your hand for a pickleball paddle grip, a grip size chart by hand size, handle length for two-handed backhands, and when to add an overgrip.
When to replace a pickleball paddle
How long pickleball paddles last, the six signs a paddle is worn out or broken, how to make yours last longer, and what to check before you buy a new one.
Indoor vs outdoor pickleballs
The differences between indoor and outdoor pickleballs: holes, weight, hardness and bounce, and which ball to use on which court.