Pickleball Beginner Tips: A Simple Guide to Get You Playing

Ready to join the pickleball craze? This fast-growing sport is easy to learn, super social, and perfect for all ages. Here’s a playful, beginner-friendly guide to help you step onto the court with confidence and have a blast!

1. Learn the Basics—Fast!

Court & Equipment: Pickleball is played on a small court with a paddle and a plastic, perforated ball. The court is about the size of a badminton court, so there’s less running than tennis (great news for your legs!)
Game Play: You can play singles or doubles, but doubles is most common. The serve is underhand, and only the serving team can score points. Games are usually played to 11 points, win by 2

2. Master the Essential Shots

Serve & Return: Start each point with an underhand serve. Aim for consistency over power
Groundstrokes: Practice both forehand and backhand shots. These are your bread and butter for rallies
Volley & Dink: Volleys are shots hit out of the air, while dinks are soft shots just over the net. Both are key for winning points at the net
Drills Help: Doing drills that mimic real game situations is a proven way to improve your forehand and backhand quickly

3. Play Smart, Not Just Hard

Control Over Power: Focus on accuracy and control rather than smashing the ball. Pickleball rewards smart placement and patience
Stay Out of the “Kitchen”: The non-volley zone (the “kitchen”) is a 7-foot area near the net. Don’t volley while standing in it!

Pro tip from ARTI: The smartest players are often the calmest. Learn the pace of your opponent and play the long game.

4. Safety First

Warm Up: A quick warm-up helps prevent injuries.
Watch Your Step: Most injuries come from falls, so move carefully and wear good court shoes
Hydrate & Rest: Take breaks and drink water, especially on hot days

5. Have Fun & Be Social

This is what makes pickleball special. The pickleball community is famously welcoming, with players eager to share tips and join you in a game.

At ARTI Pickleball, we’re all about that mix of play, connection, and creativity on the court.