The fastest-growing sport in the pickleball 101 States, pickleball is a fun and social game for all ages. Many tennis centers are offering pickleball lessons, building new courts and outfitting existing ones for the popular sport. Pickleball has a low barrier to entry and is easy to learn. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, this pickleball 101 will help you understand the basics of the game and move forward with confidence in this rapidly growing sport.

1. Know your equipment.

Just like a pianist knows a lot about pianos, a carpenter knows a lot about houses and a T-rex knows a lot about dinosaurs, pickleball players should know a lot about their paddles. Understanding the different types of paddles available and how to choose one can be the key to success in the sport.

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Unlike most team sports, where each player takes one side of the court, pickleball allows players to be in the kitchen on both sides of the net during a point. This is a great opportunity to dial in punch shots and hand battles, or finesse a dink over the net. However, it’s important to remember that you cannot take the ball out of the air while standing in the kitchen, and you can only play a ball off the wall once it bounces there twice.

While there are a few differences in the rules between singles and doubles, the main points are the same. Generally speaking, a player will stay on the same side of the court until they lose a point, and then the other team takes over. Having a clear understanding of the pickleball rules and scoring system will make it much easier to succeed in the game.