Short answer: pickleball is played with solid paddles and a plastic ball with holes, on a court the size of a badminton doubles court. You serve underhand and diagonally, the ball must bounce once on each side before anyone can volley (the two-bounce rule), you can’t volley while standing in the 7-foot “kitchen” next to the net, and games usually go to 11 points, win by 2. Only the serving side can score.
Pickleball has taken off across India, from clubs in Mumbai and Bengaluru to new courts around Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula. It’s easy to learn in an afternoon, which is exactly why it’s so popular. Here’s everything a beginner needs.
The court and equipment
- Court: 20 ft × 44 ft (6.1 m × 13.4 m), the same as a badminton doubles court, so many badminton courts can be lined for pickleball.
- Net: 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle.
- Kitchen (non-volley zone): the 7-foot area on each side of the net.
- Paddle: solid face, usually graphite, fibreglass or composite. A beginner paddle set with two paddles and balls is the easiest way to start.
- Ball: outdoor balls have 40 smaller holes and are harder; indoor balls have about 26 larger holes and are softer. On Indian outdoor courts, use 40-hole outdoor balls.
The 5 core rules
1. The serve
- Serve underhand, diagonally into the opposite service box, beyond the kitchen line.
- Contact the ball below your waist, with the paddle head moving upward.
- At least one foot must be behind the baseline when you hit.
- You can also use a “drop serve”: let the ball bounce first, then hit it.
- You get one attempt per serve (no second serve like tennis).
2. The two-bounce rule
The receiving team must let the serve bounce before returning it, and the serving team must then let the return bounce before hitting it. After those two bounces, either side can volley (hit the ball in the air) or play it off the bounce. This rule stops big servers dominating and keeps rallies long.
3. The kitchen
You cannot volley while any part of you is touching the kitchen or its line, and you can’t step into the kitchen because of the momentum of a volley either. You can step into the kitchen to play a ball that has bounced there.
4. Faults
A rally ends with a fault when the ball goes out, into the net, is volleyed from the kitchen, or is hit before the two-bounce rule allows. Balls that land on any line are in, except a serve landing on the kitchen line, which is out.
5. Scoring
- Games go to 11 points, win by 2 (tournaments sometimes play to 15 or 21).
- Only the serving team wins points. If the receiving team wins the rally, they win the serve, not a point.
- In doubles, the score is called as three numbers: serving team’s score, receiving team’s score, and server number (1 or 2). For example “4–2–1”.
- Each player on a team serves before the serve passes to the other team, except at the very start of the game, when only one player serves. That’s why the first call is “0–0–2”.
- After each point won, the server switches sides with their partner and serves from the other box.
Five beginner tips
- Get to the kitchen line. After the two bounces, both you and your partner should move up to just behind the kitchen line. Most points are won at the net.
- Learn the dink. A soft shot that drops into your opponent’s kitchen. It forces them to hit upward and sets up your attack.
- Return deep. A deep return keeps the serving team stuck at the back while you move forward.
- Keep the paddle up in front of your chest at the net, ready for fast exchanges.
- Don’t swing like tennis. Short, compact strokes give much more control.
Choosing your first paddle
| What to check | Beginner recommendation |
|---|---|
| Weight | Midweight, around 7.3–8.3 oz (205–235 g): enough power without tiring your arm |
| Face | Fibreglass for a little extra pop, graphite for control; both are fine to start |
| Grip size | When you hold the handle, you should fit a finger between your fingertips and palm |
| Grip | Add overgrip tape in sweaty summer weather for a non-slip hold |
Our pickleball paddle set includes two graphite-fibreglass paddles so you can start straight away with a friend. See everything in our pickleball collection, with free shipping and Cash on Delivery across India.
Frequently asked questions
Is pickleball easier than tennis or badminton?
For most beginners, yes. The court is small, the paddle is short and the ball is slow, so you can rally within minutes.
Can I play pickleball on a badminton court?
Yes. The court dimensions are the same; you only need a lower net and kitchen lines marked with tape.
Is pickleball good exercise?
It’s a good mix of short sprints, lateral movement and hand-eye coordination, and it’s gentle enough for all ages.