You saw pickleball on TV. Or a friend won't shut up about it. Or your knees can't do tennis anymore. Whatever the reason — here's the shortest version of how to start.
You don't need to buy anything
Every club worth playing at has loaner paddles and balls. Wear anything you can move in. Grab non-marking court shoes if you have them, running shoes if you don't.
The one rule that matters
The kitchen (that 7-foot no-volley zone by the net) is the whole game. You can't stand in it and hit the ball out of the air. Everything else you can figure out as you go.
In this article
Come to our free Saturday Intro Clinic.
Paddles provided. No experience needed. You'll play a real game by the end.
Reserve a spotSR
Written by
Sasha Rivera
Coach · IPTPA Level II
Author of our Intro Clinic playbook and lead beginner coach.
