Key takeaway: Pickleball is a paddle sport played on a 20ft x 44ft court (the same size as a doubles badminton court) with a perforated plastic ball and solid paddles. You serve underhand and diagonally, both sides must let the ball bounce once before volleying (the "two-bounce rule"), and you can't volley while standing in the 7ft "kitchen" next to the net. Games are usually played to 11 points, win by 2, and in standard scoring only the serving team can score.
What is pickleball?
Pickleball blends elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis into one fast, friendly, low-impact game. It's easy to pick up, kind on the joints, and brilliant in doubles - which is exactly why it's become one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK and beyond. You can play singles (one v one) or doubles (two v two). Doubles is by far the most common format, and it's where most beginners start.
The pickleball court
A pickleball court measures 20 feet wide by 44 feet long. The net sits at 34 inches high in the centre and 36 inches at the posts. The most important area to know is the non-volley zone - universally nicknamed "the kitchen." It's the 7-foot strip on each side of the net. You'll hear "kitchen" constantly, so learn it early.
How to serve in pickleball
The serve is deliberately simple so rallies can get going quickly. To serve legally:
- Hit the ball underhand, making contact below your waist.
- Keep both feet behind the baseline.
- Serve diagonally - the ball must land in the service box on the opposite side.
- You only get one serve attempt (there are no second serves like in tennis).
A 2025 rule update means you can now release the ball from either your hand or your paddle before striking it - but you can't add spin to the toss.
The two-bounce rule
This is the rule that catches everyone out. After the serve, the receiving team must let the serve bounce before returning it, and the serving team must then let that return bounce before hitting it. Only after those two bounces can players hit the ball out of the air (a volley). The two-bounce rule stops the serving team from rushing the net and smashing on the return, which keeps rallies fair and fun.
The kitchen: the non-volley zone
The kitchen rule is short but strict: you cannot volley the ball (hit it out of the air) while any part of you is touching the kitchen. It's a fault if you volley while standing in the kitchen, step on the kitchen line as you volley, or carry your momentum into the kitchen after a volley. You can step into the kitchen any time to play a ball that has bounced - you just can't volley from there.
Pickleball scoring explained
Standard pickleball uses side-out scoring, which means only the serving team can win a point. If the receiving team wins the rally, they don't score - they win the serve instead.
- Games are played to 11 points, and you must win by 2.
- The server calls the score before every serve.
- In doubles, the call has three numbers: your score, the opponents' score, and whether you're the first or second server (e.g. "4-6-2").
What about rally scoring?
You may hear about rally scoring, where a point is won on every rally regardless of who served. As of the 2025 rulebook this was added as a provisional, optional format for some doubles and team play. It speeds games up, but traditional side-out scoring remains the default for recreational and club play, so that's the one to learn first.
Common faults to avoid
- Hitting the ball out of bounds or into the net.
- Volleying in the kitchen (or stepping on the line).
- Forgetting the two-bounce rule and volleying too early.
- Serving into the net or the wrong service box.
- Letting the ball bounce twice on your side before you return it.
Gear you actually need to start
Pickleball is refreshingly low-cost to begin. You need a paddle, a few pickleballs, court shoes, and somewhere to play. As you improve, the paddle is the piece that makes the biggest difference to your control and power. A fresh overgrip also keeps the handle tacky and stops the paddle twisting on contact, which is the cheapest upgrade in the game. Browse the AIXO range to find paddles, grips and accessories that bring a bit of colour clash to the court.
Frequently asked questions
Is pickleball easy to learn?
Yes. Most people can rally within their first session. The underhand serve, slower ball and smaller court make pickleball far more accessible than tennis.
What is the kitchen in pickleball?
The kitchen is the nickname for the non-volley zone - the 7-foot area on each side of the net. You can't hit a volley (a ball out of the air) while standing in it; you can only play balls that have bounced there.
How do you score points in pickleball?
In standard side-out scoring, only the serving team can score. You win a point when the opposing team faults or fails to return the ball. Games go to 11, win by 2.
Why is it called the two-bounce rule?
Because the ball must bounce once on each side immediately after the serve - once on the return, once on the serving team's third shot - before anyone is allowed to volley.
Can you play pickleball as singles?
Yes, singles pickleball uses the same court and rules, but it's far more physically demanding. Doubles is the recommended starting point for beginners.
Gear up with AIXO
Ready to put this into practice? AIXO paddles cover every level – same bold looks, three carbon builds:
- AIXO Ghost Ultra Noir – T700 carbon, the perfect first serious paddle
- AIXO Scorpion Country Club – 3K carbon, USAPA approved for league play
- AIXO Reaper Insane Bolt – 18K carbon, thermoformed pro performance
Or browse the full AIXO rackets & paddles collection.