So Guest List. Pickleball for Beginners: Before You Play

A Sports Guest on “So List”

From time to time, “So List” turns its attention to sports. For example, earlier this year we published an article about how to choose a sport. Today, life has taken an unexpected turn — and it was the sport that chose us.

A pickleball equipment store “101 Pickleball” reached out to the “So List” blog and suggested creating a collaborative piece.

If you, like I once was, feel a bit confused, let me explain. Here’s how Wikipedia [1] describes pickleball:

Pickleball is a racket or paddle sport in which two players (singles) or four players (doubles) use a smooth-faced paddle to hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball over a 34-inch-high (0.86 m) net until one side is unable to return the ball or commits a rule infraction.

That wraps up this brief introduction. Next comes a guest post featuring a checklist of what beginners need to know and understand. It’s worth mentioning that even within the sections, you’ll find plenty of smaller lists.

Beginning Pickleball

Hello there, fellow pickler! Are you new to pickleball? Let us be the first to welcome you to this wonderful sport and guarantee that you will have fun. Pickleball is more than just a competitive sport that’s aiming to join the Olympics, and there’s a reason why it’s one of the fastest-growing sports in America. Pickleball is a social sport that you can enjoy with your friends and is also a way to make new friends. After all, the sport started as a casual backyard game in 1965 when the inventors found their families bored with nothing to do one afternoon. You can also enjoy pickleball if you’re looking to stay fit, and you don’t have to worry about overworking your body because this is a low-impact sport.

Pickleball for beginners can sometimes be intimidating. You’re new to the sport and probably don’t know a lot about the basics yet. Don’t worry, every beginner has been there. Still, we’re here to help if you need it. We’ve made a checklist of the pickleball basics for beginners.

Pickleball for Beginners: Before You Play

Gather the Right Equipment

Pickleball Paddle

The pickleball paddle is a smooth-faced paddle that’s usually made of synthetic materials like carbon fiber and, more recently, foam. Choosing the right pickleball paddles for beginners is important, and it can make or break your game. The best pickleball paddles for beginners are:

• Lightweight: For beginners, you're still going to be learning the shots, so it's important to choose pickleball paddles that are easy to maneuver. 
• Comfortable: It's important that your pickleball paddle is comfortable to avoid any straining, especially on the wrist. 
• Durable: Make sure that you choose a pickleball paddle that will withstand many long plays. 
• Budget-friendly: Since you're only starting and still testing the waters to see whether you'd love the sport and continue, it's ideal for beginners to go for the more budget-friendly pickleball paddles. 

If you’re looking for premium pickleball paddles for beginners that won’t break your back, check out 101 Pickleball premium paddles. 101 Pickleball is dedicated to meeting every pickleball player’s needs without breaking the bank (and unique designs, too, if we may add).

Wondering where to get pickleball paddles for beginners? There are various places to go to. 

• Physical Store: You can try your local stores for pickleball paddles. Most big stores like Target now have pickleball sections, or you can try in thrift stores.
• Online Store: You can try Amazon, Pickleball Central, or specific stores like Selkirk, Joola, 101 Pickleball, etc. 
• Rent or Borrow: You can also check if there is any rental pickleball equipment near your area. If there aren't any, you can try borrowing from someone you know, or pickleball clubs usually have equipment available for guests to borrow. 

Pickleball

Pickleball balls are perforated balls that are usually made of hard plastic, like polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE). For beginners, it’s important to note that pickleball requires different balls for indoor and outdoor play. 

• Outdoor Pickleballs: Have smaller and more holes (usually 40) to neutralize the effects of outside factors like wind, weather, or rough surfaces. 
• Indoor Pickleballs: Have bigger and fewer holes (usually 26), so they’re easier to control and have more consistent bounce on smooth surfaces.

Pickleball Accessories

Pickleball accessories are added equipment to the basic ones for added comfort and/or protection. 

• Pickleball Equipment Accessories: Pickleball overgrips and paddle covers. 
• Pickleball Clothing Accessories: Visor, protective eyewear, socks, wristbands, headbands, and pickleball bags. 
• Training Accessories: Pickleball machine, dink pad, balance pods, etc. 

Dress the Part

Wearing the right pickleball attire is important for comfort and safety. Look for these things when choosing your pickleball clothing:

• Breathable: It will be hot because of the temperature and all the movements. Ensure your clothing won't trap that heat in you and cause you to overheat. 
• Moisture-wicking: You will be sweating a lot, so make sure that your clothing will pull the moisture away from your skin but not retain it so that it's not heavy. 
• Won't Restrict Movement: You will be moving a lot, so make sure your clothing allows you to. 
• Fashionable: Looking good on the court doesn't hurt anyone. Many pickleball clothing options are cute but still have the traits above. 

There are many options out there to choose from. Here is the basic pickleball clothing you need. 

• Top
  • Men: Shirt, polo shirt (for when you're feeling fancy), long sleeves, jerseys that are specifically made for playing sports. 
  • Women: Shirts, tank tops, long sleeves, and jerseys.
• Bottoms
  • Men: Shorts and sweat/jogging pants. 
  • Women: Shorts/skirt/skort, sweat/jogging pants, leggings. 
• Layers: Jacket or anything to put on when it's cold or raining. 
• Undergarments 
  • Men: Briefs or boxers. 
  • Women: Comfortable underwear and sports bra 
• Shoes: Go for shoes that are made specifically for pickleball or tennis. Some shoes are specifically made for indoor or outdoor play and for narrow, wide, or flat feet. 

Find a Place to Play 

For beginners, it's given that you don't have any go-to pickleball courts yet. Before starting to play or booking any lessons, make sure to look for a court first. 

• Local Parks or Community Centers: Some public parks/community centers have a dedicated pickleball court.
• Country or Pickleball Clubs: There are clubs specific to pickleball only, so you can expect a pickleball court there, or you can try with any country clubs near you (just note that clubs may require membership or fees to play). 
• YMCA: Some YMCA and YWCA centers have a dedicated pickleball court that you can pay to play on.

Understand the Basics

• Learn the Basic Rules of Pickleball
  • Serve: The server must stand behind the baseline, and their paddle must stay below the waist (navel) when hitting the ball. 
  • Two-Bounce Rule: The ball must bounce first before hitting the return of serve (1st bounce) and third shot drop (2nd bounce).
  • Scoring: Only the serving team can earn scores (rally scoring recently became an option, except for USA Pickleball Golden Ticket events and Nationals). 
• Familiarize the Court Dimensions: As mentioned, you need to stand behind the baseline when serving, so you have to know where it is. Also, always remember the “kitchen” or NON-VOLLEY ZONE (NVZ), the 7-foot space on each side of the net.

• Learn the Basic Shots: For beginners, start with the very basic pickleball shots for now, like:
  • Serve: The game starter. You can either do an underhand or drop serve. 
  • Dink: A soft shot made near your NVZ that's intended to land on your opponent’s NVZ so they can't hit the ball aggressively. 
  • Volley: Can be done anywhere except inside the NVZ. Volleying is when you hit the ball before it hits the ground. 
  • Lob: An arcing shot that's meant to clear the net. Its goal is to make your opponent reach and push them back to their baseline. 
• Watch beginner-friendly video tutorials on YouTube, like Pickleball Channel.

Warm-up and Stretch

Before playing, always remember to warm up to get your body ready for all the movements. After playing, don't forget to cool down to avoid getting injured. 

Pickleball for Beginners: Your First Few Games

Playing pickleball for beginners will be confusing at the start. Although it's generally easy to learn, everybody is different, so don't feel bad if you don't get it right away. It will take time to learn and master the sport. 

Focus on Consistency

Don’t get pressured or stressed about getting it right or perfect the first time. You're only starting, so give yourself grace. Instead, focus on being consistent. Remember the basic shots and practice them regularly. Don't try the more advanced shots for now; just focus on the basics and stick to them until you've mastered them. 

Find a Partner or Group

For beginners, it's especially helpful to partner up with another pickleball player so you can practice scenarios with a real person, and you can also observe each other and give notes. It would also be great to join groups with different skill levels and join clinics to get more insights and advice. A pickleball clinic is when players get together to share their best practices and advice. 

Be Patient and Have Fun

As mentioned, learning the sport and getting good at it will take time. Be patient, and don't get discouraged by mistakes. Learn from them and focus on improving. Enjoy the game as you go through your pickleball journey. Make friends and memories along the way. 

Stay Hydrated 

Don’t forget to bring water or a sports drink to replenish your sweat. Dehydration can be dangerous when not taken seriously, so make sure to always stay hydrated. 

Pickleball for Beginners: Continuing Your Pickleball Journey

You’ll eventually learn the basics of pickleball and get better as you play and practice more. If, by this time, you're still eager to continue your journey, then take these notes. 

Improve Your Pickleball Rating 

A pickleball rating is how your skills are measured. Beginners start at a lower pickleball rating. The more you play and win matches, the higher your rating will be. Keep on practicing and win matches to rank up. 

Watch Professional Pickleball 

Watching professional matches of pros like Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters can help you get more ideas on how to strategize and learn more advanced shots. 

Join Tournaments and Leagues

Joining and winning at tournaments and leagues can help you get a higher rating. Of course, don't feel bad if you lose some. Life has its ups and downs; take it as a lesson. Joining tournaments can also help you meet new friends and build connections, so don't forget to have fun. 

Stay Updated on the Rules

Pickleball is constantly improving, so make sure that you're always updated on the rules. For example, there have been a few updates in 2025, like rally scoring now being used during matches, players receiving penalties for unacceptable behavior even after their matches, and more. 

To Sum It Up

Pickleball for beginners can be easy and challenging at the same time. The basics are easy to learn but hard to master. It will take time to get better at the sport, so don't pressure yourself too much. Make sure that you have all the basic equipment like paddles and pickleballs to be able to play. Dress appropriately when playing to fully enjoy the game. Lastly, don't forget to have fun and make lots of memories.

List of Links

[1] “Pickleball” from Wikipedia