Introduction to Pickleball

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world – and it’s now taking off right here in South Africa. Whether you’re new to racket sports or already play tennis, squash, or padel, pickleball is easy to learn, fun to play, and offers great exercise without being too hard on the body. 

What is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a racquet sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and padel. You play on a smaller court, using a solid paddle and lightweight perforated plastic ball (called a pickleball). You can play singles (1 vs 1) or doubles (2 vs 2). 

The game is fast-paced, but easy on the joints, which makes it perfect for all ages and fitness levels. 

What You Need To Play

Pickleball Paddle

About twice the size of a table tennis paddle

Ball

Perforated plastic ball

Court

13.41m long x 6.1m wide, about quarter of a tennis court

Net

Similar to a tennis net but lower

BASIC RULES

The Serve
  • You serve underhand, hitting the ball below your waist.
  • The ball must land in the opposite diagonal service box.
  • The serve must clear the “kitchen” (the no-volley zone near the net).
The Volley Rule
  • After the serve, each team must let the ball bounce once on their side before hitting it.
  • After those two bounces (one on each side), players may then volley (hit in the air) or let it bounce.
The Kitchen Rule
  • The “kitchen” is the no-volley zone – a 2.13m area on both sides of the net.
  • You’re not allowed to hit a volley (a ball in the air) while standing inside this zone. 
  • You may step into the kitchen only if the ball has bounced there first.
Scoring
  • Only the serving team can score a point.
  • Games are played to 11 points, and you must win by 2.
  • In doubles, each player on the serving team gets a chance to serve before the other team takes over (except at the start of the game).

Doubles vs Singles

  • Doubles is the most common way to play. It’s social, strategic, and easier to cover the court.
  • Singles is faster and more physically demanding, but great for competitive players or training.

KEY STRATEGIES FOR NEW PLAYERS

Pickleball is simple to learn, but smart strategy helps you win rallies. These tips will help beginners develop their pickleball skills. 

Get to the Net (Kitchen Line)

The strongest position in pickleball is just behind the kitchen line. After the return of serve, move forward quickly and hold your ground. 

Keep the Ball Low

Shots that stay low over the net are harder to attack. Aim for control, not power.

Use the Soft Game (Dinks)

Dinking means hitting gentle shots that land in the kitchen. This slows the game and creates openings.

Serve Deep, Return Deep

Serving or returning close to the baseline keeps your opponents back and gives you more time to prepare. 

Communicate

In doubles, always talk to your partner – say “mine”, “yours”, or “switch” to avoid confusion. 

How to Call the Score

When serving, say three numbers:

  1. Your team’s score
  2. The opposing team’s score
  3. Your server number (1 or 2 in doubles)
    Example: If your team has 6, they have 4, and you are the second server, say: “6 – 4 – 2”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Hitting volleys while standing in the kitchen
  • Charging the net too early (before the ball bounced once on each side)
  • Smashing every ball – pickleball rewards control, not just power
  • Forgetting to call the score before serving
  • Poor court positioning – always move with your partner

Why South Africa Is Loving Pickleball

  • It’s affordable to start playing
  • It’s social, fun, and great for families
  • It’s safe for older players but still challenging for athletes

Pickleball is more than just a sport – it’s a way to stay active, meet people, and have fun. Whether you’re 15 or 65, this game is easy to pick up and hard to put down. 

Come try it. You’ll be hooked.