What is Pickleball? Rules, Scoring, and Techniques

pickleball | August 20, 2025

Are you someone who loves to stay active or is looking for a new sport to improve your daily fitness? In this article, Olaben will introduce you to pickleball – a sport that has been booming in the United States with rapid growth, attracting more than 5 million players nationwide.

If this is the first time you’ve heard of pickleball and you’re still unsure what it is, let’s explore with Olaben below. You’ll surely be surprised by how exciting and unique this sport is.

What Is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a fast-growing paddle sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis into something easy to learn and surprisingly addictive. You play with a paddle and a lightweight plastic ball that has holes, and the game works equally well in singles or doubles. That mix of simplicity and strategy makes it great for beginners while still giving experienced players plenty of room to advance.

Before diving into the rules and techniques, it helps to understand the basic setup you’ll find on every pickleball court.

Court and Equipment

Pickleball uses a smaller playing area than tennis, which keeps rallies lively and makes the sport accessible to players of all ages.

Court: The court measures 20 feet by 44 feet, which is the same size as a badminton court. Because the space is smaller, players can react quicker and stay more engaged in each point.
Net: The net looks similar to a tennis net but sits slightly lower, standing 34 inches high at the center.
Paddle: The paddle is solid and typically made from composite materials. It’s larger than a ping-pong paddle but much smaller and lighter than a tennis racket.
Ball: The ball is a lightweight, perforated plastic design similar to a wiffle ball, which gives pickleball its signature pace and bounce.

If you want, I can also expand this into a full intro section for a beginner’s guide, add rules, explain gameplay basics, or turn it into an SEO-ready blog section.

The Origins of Pickleball

Before becoming a global phenomenon, many people wondered when pickleball was first created.

In fact, the sport originated in 1965 in Washington State, USA. At first, it was just a casual family game, but thanks to its strong spread—especially when billionaire Bill Gates and former world-class tennis players embraced it—pickleball quickly gained prominence.

In the past three years, it has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.

In Vietnam, pickleball only appeared a few months ago but has already gained special attention. From children to adults, seniors, and even those with joint problems or disabilities, anyone can easily participate. Its simplicity and appeal make pickleball an experience that you can only fully appreciate once you pick up a paddle and play.

How Is Pickleball Different from Tennis?

Pickleball and tennis may share a few similarities, but they feel very different once you step onto the court. The size of the playing area, the equipment, the pace of the rallies, and even the way you serve all shape the experience. Here’s a simple breakdown of the major differences so you can see how the two sports compare.

Court size and layout

Pickleball: Played on a much smaller court. It also has a non volley zone near the net, called the kitchen, where you cannot hit volleys. This creates slower, more tactical exchanges close to the net.
Tennis: Played on a large court with wide baselines and service boxes. Players cover more distance, and points often develop from strong groundstrokes.

Pace and style of play

Pickleball: The lighter ball and compact court lead to a game that’s less demanding physically and more focused on timing, placement, and strategy.
Tennis: The larger court and heavier ball require more movement and power. Serves and groundstrokes can be fast and forceful, creating a more explosive style of play.

Scoring system

Pickleball: Most games go to 11 points, and you must win by 2. Only the serving team can score, which creates unique momentum swings.
Tennis: Matches are divided into sets, and each set is made up of games. Players win a game by reaching four points and leading by two.

Serving techniques

Pickleball: Serves must be underhand and made below the waist. This keeps the start of each point controlled and approachable for all skill levels.
Tennis: Serves are overhand and can be extremely powerful. A strong serve can dominate the point before the rally even begins.

Health Benefits of Playing Pickleball

Beyond being a trendy sport, pickleball offers many physical and mental health benefits. Here are some of the key advantages:

Improves cardiovascular health: According to Cleveland Clinic, engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week enhances heart health. Playing pickleball raises your heart rate, burns calories, strengthens lung function, and helps maintain a healthy weight.
Strengthens muscles, bones, and joints: The full-body movement helps build muscle strength, improve flexibility, prevent osteoporosis, and keep joints strong.
Enhances coordination and balance: Quick movements across the court train coordination between your hands, eyes, and feet. This is especially important for older adults, as better balance reduces the risk of falls.
Boosts brain health: Playing pickleball not only benefits your body but also your mind. It improves sleep, memory, and focus, while reducing the risk of depression and promoting a more positive outlook.
Contributes to longevity: Studies show that regular physical activity extends lifespan. Like tennis, pickleball helps players maintain a healthy, energetic lifestyle over the long term.

Check more: How to Choose the Perfect Pickleball Paddle

Why Is Pickleball Gaining Popularity?

Pickleball has exploded in popularity over the past few years, and it’s not hard to see why. The game is simple enough for beginners to pick up in minutes, but it still offers plenty of depth, strategy, and challenge for more advanced players. It’s accessible, social, and easy on the body, which makes it appealing to a wide range of ages and fitness levels.

Here are the biggest reasons pickleball is growing so quickly:

Easy to learn, hard to master: New players can rally and have fun almost immediately. At the same time, advanced players enjoy the strategy and finesse involved in dinks, drops, resets, and fast hands battles.
Playable for all ages and abilities: The smaller court and lighter ball reduce physical impact and lower the risk of injury. That makes the sport welcoming for kids, adults, and older players alike.
Highly social and community driven: Pickleball naturally encourages interaction. Open play sessions, drop-in courts, and round robins help players meet new people, mix skill levels, and build friendships on and off the court.
Growing court availability: Parks, gyms, recreation centers, schools, and retirement communities are adding pickleball courts at a fast pace. More courts mean more places to play and more players joining in.
Great for fitness without feeling like a workout: The game keeps you moving, but the pace is manageable and fun. You get the benefits of exercise while enjoying a sport that feels playful rather than strenuous.

Pickleball’s mix of accessibility, community, and genuine enjoyment is what keeps the momentum going. It’s a sport people try once and instantly want to play again.

Olaben Pickleball Paddle - Midnight Green - Olaben - Accessories

Basic Rules of Pickleball You Need to Know

Once you understand what pickleball is, the next step is to learn the fundamental rules and techniques to play a proper match.

1. Court and Equipment

Standard court: 6m x 13.5m, similar to a badminton doubles court.
Paddle: made of composite or polymer materials, lightweight and easy to handle.
Net height: about 0.86m (86 cm) in the center.

2. Serving Rules

Serve from the baseline, hitting upward underhand, below the waist.
The ball must cross the net without touching it.
Service alternates between teams.

3. Hitting and Returning the Ball

The ball must clear the net and land in the opponent’s court.
A ball can only bounce once on your side before being returned.
Shots landing out of bounds or failing to clear the net result in a fault.

4. Non-Volley Zone (“The Kitchen”)

This is the area near the net.
Players cannot step inside to hit volleys (balls before they bounce).
If the ball lands here, you must wait for it to bounce before hitting.

5. Scoring and Winning

Practice games: usually played to 11 points, win by at least 2 points.
Official matches: often to 15 or 21 points, still requiring a 2-point lead.

6. Basic Techniques

Serve: underhand serve from baseline into opponent’s court.
Dink: a soft shot near the net to control play and challenge opponents.
Lob: a high, deep shot to push opponents back.
Smash: a powerful, downward shot to finish rallies.

With simple rules but plenty of strategy, pickleball is perfect for both beginners and players seeking a fast-paced, competitive sport.

Basic Rules of Pickleball You Need to Know

FAQ – Pickleball Rules

1. What is the size of a pickleball court?

A standard pickleball court is 6m wide and 13.5m long, similar to a badminton doubles court.

2. How high is the net in pickleball?

The net is about 0.86m high at the center.

3. How is the ball served in pickleball?

The ball is served from the baseline with an underhand stroke below the waist. It must cross the net and land in the opponent’s court.

4. What formats of pickleball are there?

Pickleball can be played in singles (2 players) or doubles (4 players).

5. What is the “kitchen” in pickleball?

The “kitchen” or non-volley zone is the area near the net where players cannot step in to hit volleys. Balls landing here can only be hit after bouncing.

6. How is scoring done in pickleball?

Practice: games to 11 points, win by 2.
Tournaments: games to 15 or 21 points, also win by at least 2.

Play Pickleball with Olaben

For the ultimate experience, beyond mastering the rules, make sure to choose the right apparel and accessories. At Olaben, you’ll discover a diverse range of collections designed for the modern sports enthusiast:

Women’s Pickleball Apparel: from sports bras, long-sleeve tops, to tank tops that ensure comfort and sweat control during movement.
Sports Bottoms: leggings, women’s shorts, women’s joggers, and sports skirts.
Versatile Activewear: jumpsuits, women’s hoodies, and lightweight jackets.
Men’s Pickleball Apparel: men’s sports tops, men’s sports shorts, joggers, and other dynamic outfits perfect for both training and competition.
Pickleball Essentials: premium pickleball paddles crafted for precision and durability, suitable for both recreational play and professional matches.

With a fusion of modern design, premium materials, and high functionality, Olaben accompanies every movement turning pickleball into not just a workout, but an inspiring style experience.

Visit Olaben Store to explore our latest collections and receive dedicated advice from our team:

Ho Chi Minh City

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