Pickleball is a paddle sport you can learn in minutes and play for a lifetime. It brings together elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis to create a sport that’s fun for all ages and skill levels, but gets fast-paced and exhilarating at competitive levels.

• Play indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court
• Usually played as doubles, but can be played as singles
• Use a solid paddle to hit a plastic ball over a low net
• A game takes about 10-25 minutes

Each game starts with the serving team sending the ball over the net. The receiving team must let it bounce before returning the ball over the net. The serving team must also let the ball bounce before returning it… but after this, both teams generally rush forward to volley the ball back and forth, often hitting the ball rapidly between them without it touching the ground.

If the serving team faults or misses the ball, they lose the serve. But if the receiving team faults or misses the ball, the serving team scores a point. The first team to reach 11 points (as long as they’re 2 points ahead) wins the game.

Read the full official rules here.

How is pickleball different to other net sports?

• It’s easier to pick up than many net sports
• It’s lower impact than tennis, so it’s easier on the body
• It focuses on quick reflexes and aiming, rather than spiking the ball, powerful serves, or running speed.
  

These differences open pickleball up to a greater range of players. Whether you’ve been playing tennis your whole life, or you’re walking onto a court for the first time; whether you’re young, old, or in between; whether you’re strategic and competitive, or just want to get involved in something fun, social, or active… Pickleball is for you!