A Beginner's Guide to Playing Pickleball and Finding a Court
How to Play Pickleball
Pickleball Rallies
Pickleball is played in "rallies" that start with a serve and end with a fault. Then, the person serving changes. You can only earn points when your team has served, and each team serves twice (once per player) before switching, except in the first round.
One point can be earned per rally and only by the serving team. A point is earned when the receiving team faults (can't return the ball). If the serving team faults, the person serving switches, and a new rally begins.
How to Serve in Pickleball
Serving in pickleball is done standing behind the back line, underhanded, and below the waist. You can serve from a bounce or a volley (no bounce). You must serve the player in the furthest square from your own (diagonal from you).
The serve must land within the diagonal player's square, not in the 'kitchen' (see below) or outside the outer lines.
Pickleball Doubles Serving Order:
- Player 2 from Team A serves
- Player 1 from Team B serves
- Player 2 from Team B serves
- Player 1 from Team A serves
- Player 2 from Team A serves
Rallies continue until the game is won. After a point is lost, the serving team switches right and left squares.
Pickleball Faults
A fault ends a rally, whether it results in the server earning a point or causes a serve switch.
- A serve lands in the kitchen or beyond the diagonal player's square
- the ball lands out of bounds (beyond the court's outer lines)
- The ball hits the net and lands on the hitter's side
- The ball bounces twice on one side
The Two-Bounce Rule in Pickleball
The two-bounce rule dictates that you must hit the ball from a bounce during the first two passes over the net. In other words, it must bounce twice before you can start hitting volleys (hitting it out of the air without a bounce).
The Kitchen in a Pickleball Court
The kitchen is a space 7 feet on the net (3.5 feet on either side). You cannot hit a volley while standing in the kitchen or with your foot on the line, but you can hit a bounce in the kitchen. Each serve must also land beyond the kitchen.
Winning the Game
The winning number of points must be 11 or greater and more than two points above the opposing team.
How to Play Pickleball Singles
Can you play pickleball with 2 people? If you only have two people ready to play, you can play pickleball "singles" with one player on each side of the net. The rules are primarily the same, but the players take turns occupying the right and left squares so they can serve diagonally to one another without favoring one side.
Finding a Pickleball Court
How do you find a pickleball court near you? Due to its rising popularity, many athletic clubs and outdoor parks now have pickleball courts. There are also dedicated pickleball facilities in some neighborhoods where pickleball can be played in larger groups over several courts.
One option is to choose an apartment with a pickleball court so you can play anytime or find a local park with a suitable court.
Setting Up the Court
Public pickleball courts are not always fully set up when you arrive. One important fact to know is how to set up a pickleball net. How high is a pickleball net? It should be 36 inches high at the edges and 34 inches high in the center. You can also carry a portable net and temporary lines to set up a court anywhere.
Can You Play Pickleball on a Tennis Court?
A common question is whether tennis courts can host pickleball games. The dimensions of the court are a little different, and the net is a little higher, but you can change the setup to suit your needs. Lower the net and draw temporary lines including the kitchen and a total size of 20ft x 44ft (instead of the tennis court dimensions of 27ft x 78ft)
Apartments with Pickleball Courts in St Louis
If you are enthusiastic about pickleball and are looking for an apartment with a pickleball court in St Louis, check out Greenmar Apartments. We are always excited about community activities and provide amenities to support your sports enthusiasm. You can find a beautiful new pickleball court a short walk from your front door when you call Greenmar Apartments home. Contact us to inquire about availability and see the pickleball court amenity.