New To Pickleball

How to Play Pickleball:
7 Simple Rules for Beginners

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the country—and for good
reason. It's fun, fast-paced, social, and easy to pick up. Whether you’re brand
new or just brushing up, The FORT is here to help you master the fundamentals.

We’ve simplified everything into 7 key rules to get you started, along
with tips, terms, and strategies you’ll see on the court.

Ready to Get Started?

All you need is a paddle, pickleball balls, and a court. We recommend
booking a beginner clinic or private lesson at The FORT—our instructors
are experienced, supportive, and ready to help you learn quickly. We also
provide equipment if you’re just getting started.

Pickleball Basics

• Court Size: 20’ x 44’ (same as badminton)
• Net Height: 36" at the sidelines,
  34" at the center
• Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone): 7’ on each side of the net

Pickleball is most commonly played in doubles (2 vs 2), but many of these rules apply to singles as well.

The 7 Main Rules of Pickleball

1. Every rally starts with a serve

• Serves must go diagonally
  crosscourt and land beyond the kitchen line.
• The serve must be underhand with
  the paddle moving in an upward arc and contact made below the waist.
• The server stands behind the
  baseline and must serve to the correct service box.

2. The ball must bounce once on each
side before a volley

This is known as the two-bounce rule:

• The return must bounce before the serving team can hit it.
• After that, both sides can volley or rally as usual.

3. Rallies continue until a fault

A fault ends the rally. Faults include:

• Ball hit out of bounds
• Ball bounces twice
• Volley from the kitchen
• Serve into the net or wrong zone

4. You can't volley in the kitchen

• No volleys allowed in the 7' non-volley zone ("kitchen").
• Momentum carrying you into the kitchen after a volley also results in a fault.
• You can enter the kitchen to play a ball that has bounced.

5. You only score on your serve

• Points can only be won by the
  serving team.
• After each point, the server
  switches sides and continues serving until a fault occurs.

6. Call the score before each serve

Scoring in doubles uses three numbers:

• First: Server’s score
• Second: Receiver’s score
• Third: Server number (1 or 2)

Example: "3-2-1" means the server’s team has 3 points,
opponents have 2, and it’s the first server's turn.

7. Games are played to 11, win by 2

• Standard games are to 11 points.
• You must win by 2, so the game
  can go beyond 11 (e.g., 12-10, 15-13).

Essential Pickleball Shots

Here are a few core shots you’ll use as a beginner:

• Serve: Underhand shot that starts the
  rally.
• Drive: Fast-paced forehand or backhand
  shot from the baseline.
• Dink: Soft shot that lands in the
  kitchen.
• Volley: Shot taken before the ball
  bounces (outside the kitchen).
• Drop Shot: A soft shot from the baseline
  that lands in the kitchen.
• Lob: High shot that sends your
  opponents backward.
• Overhead: Hard shot, like a tennis smash,
  used against lobs.

Serving Tips & Positioning

• Always serve from behind the
  baseline.
• Serve diagonally and aim deep to
  keep opponents back.
• Use spin and angles as you gain
  experience.
• After serving or returning, move
  up toward the kitchen—but wait for the two-bounce rule to complete.

Beginner Tips from The FORT Pros

• Transition to the net: Control the kitchen for better angles and quicker reactions.
• Keep your paddle up: Always be in a ready position—paddle above your waist.
• Use soft hands: For dinks and drop shots, loosen your grip.
• Bend your knees: Balance and footwork are key to good shot-making.
• Be patient: Pickleball is about control more than power.
• Practice often: Book a clinic or private session to improve faster.

Learn & Play at The FORT

We offer:

• Beginner lessons and clinics
• Open play and organized games
• Top-tier instructors to guide
  your learning
• All the gear you need to get
  started

Want to set up your own game?

You can play on our courts with reserved times, bring your own group, or
join open play. Our staff will help you every step of the way.

Pickleball is simple to learn and endlessly fun. With just a few sessions
at The FORT, you'll feel confident playing real games. Remember these core
rules:

1. Serve underhand, diagonally.
2. Let it bounce once on each side
   before volleying.
3. Faults end rallies.
4. No volleying in the kitchen.
5. Only serve to score.
6. Announce the score before
   serving.
7. Win by 2.

Now grab a paddle and let’s get on the court.