Pickleball Rules That Slap (So You Don’t)

First time on the court?

Cool. Let’s get you up to speed.

Pickleball’s not just a fad — it’s blowing up.
It's fast. It's fun. And yeah, it's surprisingly intense.
That ball might be plastic, but the competition is very real.

If you're new, don’t worry. You don’t need to memorize a rulebook.
You just need the basics — the ones that’ll keep you in the game and out of trouble.

Let’s break it down.

       1. The Court: Smaller Than Tennis. Way More Action.

So here’s the deal: the court is 20 feet by 44 feet.

It looks like a mini tennis court, but don’t let the size fool you.

You’ll see a box near the net — about 7 feet deep on each side.
That’s called The Kitchen.
And trust me, it’s a hot zone for mistakes.

       2. If the ball hasn’t bounced and you’re standing in the Kitchen? Don’t swing.
        Seriously. Step back. It’s an easy way to lose a point.

Pro tip: You can go in after the bounce. Just don’t camp there.

       3. Serving: Chill, It’s Not About Power

If you're used to tennis or badminton, this will feel different.
In pickleball, the serve is underhand.
No jump serves. No top-spin magic.

Here’s how it works:

• Serve underhand
• Cross-court (diagonal)
• Let the ball bounce once on each side before you start smacking it around

You’re not trying to ace someone. You’re just getting the rally started.
Keep it clean, keep it deep, and you’re good.

       4. The Kitchen Rule: Everyone Messes This Up At Least Once

Let’s talk more about the Kitchen.
You’ll hear people call it the Non-Volley Zone, but Kitchen sounds cooler.

The golden rule?
No volleys in the Kitchen. Ever.
You want to smash a ball mid-air while standing in there? That’s a fault.

You can go into the Kitchen, sure. But only after the ball bounces.
So if someone drops a shot right in front of you, go ahead — step in and return it.

Just don’t volley from there. Not unless you like giving away points.

       5. Scoring: Only the Server Scores. Yep, Really.

This catches a lot of people off guard —
You only score when you’re serving.

Games usually go to 11. You’ve gotta win by 2.
And yes, you call out the score before every serve — it helps everyone stay on track (and gives you a breather).

It goes like this:
 Server’s score – Opponent’s score – Server number (1 or 2).

Don’t overthink it. You’ll pick it up fast.

       6. Want to Win? Stop Swinging So Hard.

Listen — power looks cool, but it’s not what wins games.
The pros? They’re playing chess, not dodgeball.

They dink, they drop, they move the other team side to side until something opens up.
And then — boom — the point’s done.

So instead of trying to hit through people, try this:

• Keep the ball low
• Aim for their feet
• Don’t rush
• Control the pace

You’ll be surprised how many points you win by just being patient.

Ready to Play?

Here’s what you need to remember:

• Learn the court
• Serve clean
• Respect the Kitchen
• Play smart, not wild
• Score when you can — and defend like you mean it when you can’t

That’s it. You’re ready.

Now go grab a paddle, hit the court, and see what all the hype’s about.
And hey — don’t forget to call the score.