What Is Pickleball? The Complete Beginner's Guide

Key takeaway: Pickleball is a paddle sport played on a badminton-sized court with a low net, solid paddles and a perforated plastic ball. It mixes elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, takes about ten minutes to learn, and is the fastest-growing sport in both the US and, increasingly, the UK.

So what exactly is pickleball?

Invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by three dads with bored kids, pickleball has grown from a back-garden game into a global phenomenon. The court is just 20 x 44 feet (6.1m x 13.4m) – a quarter of a tennis court – and the same size for singles and doubles. You serve underarm, the ball is plastic with holes (like a wiffle ball), and games are played to 11 points, win by 2.

Curious about the name? So is everyone – we've dug into the story in why is it called pickleball?

The three rules that make pickleball unique

1. The underarm serve

Serves are hit underarm, diagonally across the court. No smash serves means no free points and rallies from the very first shot. Learn the details in how to serve in pickleball.

2. The two-bounce rule

The ball must bounce once on each side before anyone can volley. This stops the serving team charging the net and killing the point instantly – full explanation in the two-bounce rule explained.

3. The kitchen

A 7-foot zone either side of the net – officially the non-volley zone – where you can't volley the ball. It's the most argued-about patch of any pickleball court and the reason the soft "dink" game exists. Read what is the kitchen?

Why is pickleball growing so fast?

Anyone can play it. The small court, light paddle and slow-ish ball mean genuine three-generation games – kids, parents and grandparents on the same court, all having proper rallies.

It's social by design. Doubles is the default, games are short, and courts cluster together, so you rotate opponents and meet people constantly.

It's cheap to start. A paddle, a ball and any flat surface with a net. Many UK leisure centres now mark pickleball lines on existing badminton courts – check our guide to pickleball court dimensions if you want to set one up.

What equipment do you need?

A paddle. Solid-faced, bigger than a table tennis bat, smaller than a tennis racket. Materials range from wood (avoid) to fibreglass and carbon fibre. Construction and carbon grade change how a paddle plays more than anything else – see how to choose a pickleball paddle and carbon grades explained.

Balls. Perforated plastic, in indoor and outdoor versions – the difference matters more than you'd think: indoor vs outdoor pickleballs.

Court shoes. Anything with lateral support – running shoes aren't ideal for the side-to-side movement.

How do you score?

Traditional pickleball scoring: games to 11, win by 2, and only the serving team can score. The score is called as three numbers in doubles (server score, receiver score, server number) – confusing for exactly one session, then second nature. Full walkthrough in how to play pickleball.

FAQ

Is pickleball easier than tennis?

Much easier to start. The underarm serve, small court and slower ball mean beginners rally almost immediately. It still has serious depth at the top level – see pickleball vs tennis.

Is pickleball the same as padel?

No – padel is played on an enclosed court with walls and a pressurised ball. Full comparison: padel vs pickleball.

Where can I play pickleball in the UK?

Pickleball England lists hundreds of venues – most are leisure centres and badminton halls with marked courts. The sport has grown from a handful of UK venues to hundreds in just a few years.

What does a decent paddle cost?

A proper carbon-faced paddle starts around £40. Serious league paddles with USAPA approval run £60–£100.

Gear up with AIXO

Ready to play? 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 pickleball paddle collection.