Pickleball Draft
A paddle sport on a small court that blends tennis, badminton and table tennis. Easy to learn, social and one of the fastest-growing sports.
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How to start
What you need
- Pickleball paddle
- Outdoor or indoor pickleball (perforated plastic ball)
- Court shoes with good lateral support
- Optional eye protection
Typical cost
A starter paddle costs $30 to $100 and balls $3 to $5 each; many public courts are free; drop-in sessions at clubs might cost $5 to $15 (approximate, varies by city).
Where to play
Public parks that add pickleball lines, community centers, dedicated pickleball clubs and converted tennis courts.
Rules
- The court is 20 by 44 feet with a 7-foot no-volley zone (the kitchen) on each side of the net.
- The serve is underhand and hit diagonally into the opponent's service court.
- The ball must bounce once on each side after the serve (two-bounce rule) before volleys are allowed.
- You cannot volley the ball while standing in the kitchen or touching its line.
- Only the serving side can score points.
- Games are usually to 11, win by 2.
- A serve that clips the net and lands in the correct box is in play.
- Singles and doubles are both allowed, with doubles the most common.
Drills
Dink rally 10 min
Stand at the kitchen line with a partner and hit soft shots that land in the kitchen. Aim for 20 in a row.
Third-shot drop 12 min
From the baseline, practice a soft arcing shot that lands in the opponent's kitchen after the serve and return.
Serve and return 10 min
Hit 15 deep serves, then 15 deep returns. Aim for the last few feet of the court.
Volley wall drill 6 min
Stand a few feet from a wall and volley the ball with short punching motions, paddle in front of the body.
Footwork shuffle 5 min
Practice split steps and side steps along the kitchen line, staying low and balanced.
Etiquette
- Ask or wait to join; paddle stacking at the sidelines is a common way to rotate.
- Call the score before each serve and call lines fairly.
- Greet opponents and compliment good shots.
Safety
- Wear court shoes, not running shoes, to protect ankles.
- Avoid running backward; take small steps to protect knees and Achilles.
- Warm up shoulders and wrists and drink water in hot weather.
Levels
- 1First games; learning the rules and serve; roughly DUPR 2.0 to 2.5.
- 2Can rally and keep score; starting to dink; roughly DUPR 3.0.
- 3Consistent dinks and drops, understands positioning; roughly DUPR 3.5 to 4.0.
- 4Strong strategy, resets, and attacking; roughly DUPR 4.5 to 5.0.
- 5Tournament-level control and power; roughly DUPR 5.5 and above.
Questions
Is pickleball good for beginners?
Yes. The small court and slower ball make it quick to learn.
What is the kitchen?
The kitchen is the no-volley zone near the net where you cannot hit the ball out of the air.
What is DUPR?
DUPR is a rating system that estimates your level from match results, typically between 2.0 and 8.0.
Draft guide: written from general knowledge and not yet checked by someone who plays pickleball. Costs are approximate and vary by city. Check with a coach or doctor before starting anything new.