Do you want to learn Pickleball?

Well, pickleball is a cross between Tennis, Badminton and Table Tennis. It’s a very straightforward game that almost anyone can play.

The Easiest Way To Learn Pickleball is to get involved

Watch this YouTube Video for a Quick Introduction to the Sport

What Are The Rules

Like any sport you need a set of rules and there are a few in Pickleball, but it doesn’t take long to get to know them.

Pickleball is a bit like a mashup of tennis, badminton, and table-tennis. It’s played on a badminton-sized court with a low net, a paddle (think oversized teble-tennis paddle), and a perforated plastic ball similar in size to a tennis ball.

SERVING

Start with a Serve: The game begins with an underhand serve from behind the baseline, aiming diagonally across the net. Make sure to keep the paddle below your waist.

Only One Serve Attempt: No second chances here—make it count! In doubles play, your team member does get another go though (second serve)

SCORING

Points Galore: Only the serving team can score points. Games are typically played to 11 points, but you must win by at least 2 points.

Only The Serving Team Wins Points: If the receiving team wins the rally, they get the serve but not the point.

THE DOUBLE BOUNCE RULE

Bounce, Bounce: When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce once before returning it. Then, the serving team must let it bounce once before playing it. After these two bounces, feel free to volley away (hit it in the air).\

NON-VOLLEY ZONE (THE KITCHEN)

Stay Out of the Kitchen: The 7-foot area on either side of the net is a no-volley zone and in Pickleball is known as “the kitchen”. That means you can’t smash the ball in mid-air while standing in the kitchen.

FAULTS

Oops Moments: You’ll lose a rally if you commit a fault. Faults include hitting the ball out of bounds, not clearing the net, stepping into the kitchen to volley a ball, or letting the ball bounce twice on your side.

WINNING

First to 11: As mentioned, the game is played to 11 points, and you need to win by 2. The first team to reach that score wins the match!

DOUBLES OR SINGLES

Team Up or Go Solo: You can play pickleball as singles or doubles. In doubles, players switch sides of the court only when they win a point while serving. Doubles is most popular.

COURT ETIQUETTE

Keep It Friendly: Like in all great games, good sportsmanship is key. Be polite, keep the game fun, and remember to call your own faults honestly.

If you are playing in a group of more than 4 players, you should rotate players in an out.

The best way to do this is when a game ends, the winners stay on, but they then split to play on the opposite site. The two losers go off, and two new players come on and pay alongside the winners.  This stops one winning team dominating play. 

Once you have played for three consecutive games, you should come off and allow a waiting player on.

FUN FACT

Why “Pickleball?” The game was named after the inventor’s dog, Pickles, who loved chasing the ball around!
Pickleball is easy to learn, great for all ages, and a fantastic way to stay active.

Want the official rules? Head to Pickleball Scotland