How to Play Pickleball
Pickleball is a fun, fast-growing paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It’s easy to learn, highly social, and suitable for players of all ages and abilities.
Beginners Guide
This page provides a simple overview of how pickleball is played and what to expect at Henley Hustlers sessions.
The Basics
Pickleball is played on a court similar in size to a badminton court, with a net slightly lower than a tennis net.
Games will be played as:
• Doubles (two players per side, most common).
*Singles will be discouraged to allow our members plenty of opportnuity to play
Players use paddles and a lightweight plastic ball with holes.
Serving
• The serve must be hit underarm, with contact made below the server’s belly button.
• The serve is hit diagonally into the opponent’s service court.
• The ball must clear the non-volley zone (the “kitchen”).
• Only one serve attempt is allowed (no second serves).
In doubles, both players on a team serve before service passes to the other team, except at the start of the game.
The Non-Volley Zone (The Kitchen)
The non-volley zone is the area extending 2.13 metres (7 feet) from the net on each side.
Key rules:
• You may not volley the ball (hit it in the air) while standing in the kitchen.
• You may enter the kitchen to play a ball that has bounced.
• Momentum counts, if your movement carries you into the kitchen after a volley, it’s a fault.
This rule encourages longer rallies and strategic play.
The Two-Bounce Rule
At the start of each rally:
• The serve must bounce once on the receiving side.
• The return of serve must bounce once on the serving side.
After these two bounces, players may volley or play the ball off the bounce.
Scoring
• Only the serving team can score points.
• Games are typically played to 11 points, and you must win by 2 points.
• In doubles, the score is announced as three numbers:
server’s score, receiver’s score, and server number (1 or 2).
Don’t worry, this becomes second nature quickly.
Winning the Rally
A rally is won if the opposing team:
• Hits the ball out of bounds.
• Hits the ball into the net.
• Volleys from inside the non-volley zone.
• Breaks a rule.
