Pickleball
Pickleball is a fun, social paddle game played on a small court with a light plastic ball, so it is easy to pick up and gentle on your body. It is the perfect way to stay active, make friends, and have a good time after 50.
What you need to start
- A pickleball paddle (lightweight, easy to swing)
- A few outdoor pickleballs (the plastic balls with holes)
- Comfortable court shoes with good grip and support
- A local court and a willing partner or two
At a glance
Your learning path
Three stages, taken at your own pace. Start at the top, get comfortable, then move down as you grow. There is no rush, and no wrong place to begin.
Start right here. These four short videos walk you through the rules and scoring, the simple gear you need, the basic shots, and the all-important kitchen rule, so you can step onto the court this week feeling confident.
Pickleball Basics: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide To Pickleball Rules & How To Play (Scoring & More)
PrimeTime PickleballWhat Pickleball Paddle (and Equipment) Do I Need to Start Playing?
Pickleball WarehouseThe Volley Fundamentals Every Pickleball Player Needs
Selkirk TVRules to Remember at the Pickleball Kitchen (or Non-Volley Zone)
PlayPickleball.comOnce you know the basics, these five videos help you play smarter: the third shot drop, where to stand and how to move, simple doubles strategy, the soft dinking game, and a deep, reliable return of serve.
How To Hit A 3rd Shot Drop In Pickleball (Technique Explained & More)
PrimeTime PickleballFootwork Masterclass: How to Move & Where to Stand in Pickleball
Enhance PickleballGAME-CHANGING Doubles STRATEGY Tactics
Briones Pickleball Academy3 Secrets to Improve Your Dinking Strategy with Steve Dawson - Pickleball 411
Pickleball ChannelThe PERFECT Pickleball Return of Serve: Rules and Tips To Level Up
PlayPickleball.comReady to sharpen your game? These five cover adding spin, the stacking strategy, drills you can do on your own, resetting and defending hard shots, and tips for playing your first friendly tournament. Go at your own pace and have fun with it.
How To Use Topspin In Pickleball (RESULTS GUARANTEED)
Enhance PickleballEverything You Need to Know About Stacking in Doubles Pickleball
PickleballCentralMy Favorite Solo Pickleball Drills
Zane Navratil PickleballMastering The RESET in 3 Simple Steps
Briones Pickleball AcademyThe Perfect Strategy To WIN Your First Ever Pickleball Tournament
tanner.pickleballWhy pickleball is wonderful after 50
Pickleball is the number one fastest-growing sport among people over 50, and for good reason. The court is small, so you cover far less ground than in tennis, and the game is much lower-impact and easier on your knees, hips, and shoulders. It is genuinely easy to learn, so you can be rallying and laughing within your first hour. Best of all, it is wonderfully social: most play is friendly doubles, so you meet people and make friends every time you play. Before you start, check with your doctor to make sure it is right for you, and always take a few minutes to warm up and stretch. With those simple steps, pickleball is a joyful, gentle way to stay active and connected.
Your first month, week by week
Check with your doctor that pickleball is a good fit for you. Then watch the beginner videos to learn the rules, scoring, and the kitchen, and borrow or buy a lightweight paddle so you are ready to play.
Find a local beginner or open-play session at a park, rec center, or YMCA. Warm up gently first, then play easy doubles. Friendly regulars are almost always happy to show a newcomer the ropes.
Practice the basics: a soft serve, a gentle dink, and a simple volley. Stay relaxed, rest when you need to, and focus on placing the ball rather than hitting it hard.
Play a few relaxed games each week and get comfortable moving up to the kitchen line. If you are enjoying it, treat yourself to your own paddle and a sleeve of outdoor balls.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Standing too far back. Once the ball is in play, move up to the kitchen line with your partner. That is where most points are won.
- Skipping the warm-up. Take a few minutes to stretch and loosen up your shoulders, arms, and legs before you start to avoid strains.
- Gripping the paddle too tightly. A relaxed, gentle grip gives you better control and saves your hand and wrist from soreness.
- Stepping into the kitchen on a volley (a foot-fault). You cannot hit the ball out of the air while standing in the non-volley zone, so keep your feet behind that line.
- Swinging too hard. Pickleball rewards soft, well-placed shots far more than power, so slow down and aim for control.
- Forgetting to call the score before each serve. It keeps the game friendly and clear for everyone on the court.
Make it easier on your body
Simple ways to keep pickleball comfortable and safe with arthritis, low vision, or limited mobility.
- Play doubles so you and your partner each cover only half the court and do far less running.
- Choose a lightweight paddle to reduce strain on your arm, wrist, and shoulder.
- Wear supportive court shoes with good grip to help prevent slips and falls.
- Start with short, relaxed games and rest often between points and games.
- Stay hydrated and play in the cooler hours of the morning or evening.
- Try seated or wheelchair pickleball, which is a real and welcoming option for players with limited mobility.
Words you'll hear
- Dink
- A soft, gentle shot that just clears the net and lands in the kitchen, used to slow the game down and set up your point.
- Kitchen (non-volley zone)
- The seven-foot area on each side of the net where you are not allowed to hit the ball out of the air. You can step in, but only after the ball bounces.
- Volley
- Hitting the ball out of the air before it bounces. You must do this with your feet outside the kitchen.
- Third shot drop
- A soft shot hit on the third stroke of a rally that drops into the kitchen, giving you time to move up to the net.
- Rally
- The back-and-forth exchange of shots that continues until someone faults or the ball goes out.
- Fault
- A mistake that ends the rally, such as hitting the ball out, into the net, or volleying in the kitchen. It loses the point or the serve.
Where to find your people
- Local recreation centers and public courts, which often host beginner-friendly open play.
- USA Pickleball, the national organization, with a court and club finder on its website.
- Senior centers, which frequently run welcoming pickleball groups and lessons for players over 50.
- Meetup and the Places2Play court finder, easy ways to find local games and friendly groups.
- Your local YMCA, which offers courts, beginner clinics, and regular drop-in sessions.
Start learning Pickleball
Sign up for our free, friendly lessons and we will help you take the first step. Tell us where you are starting from and we will meet you there.
