How To Get Started With Pickleball: A Guide For Complete Noobs

So you’ve been hearing about this awesome new sport called pickleball. You’ve been hearing that it is super fun to play, easy to learn, and you don’t need to have any other sports background to be good at it. But how do you even get started with pickleball? If you’re completely new to the sport, here’s what you need to know.

A Pickleball Guide For Complete Noobs

What Do I Need To Start Playing Pickleball?

To play pickleball, you will need a pickleball racket, known as a paddle. They’re about half the size of a tennis racket with a solid face. You will also need a plastic Wiffle ball. You may be able to find wooden or composite paddle sets at your local retailers such as Walmart or Target. But you can always find them on amazon.

Once you have your paddle and ball ready, you will need someone to hit with. You can practice hitting the ball against a tennis wall on your own. But it will be easier and more fun with someone to hit the ball with. Once you and a friend are ready to play, look for a pickleball court near you.

If you’re planning to play on an outdoor court surface, make sure you have proper footwear. It is important that your shoes have the right grip to prevent foot-related injuries on the court.

Where Can I Find Pickleball Courts?

With the rapid growth of pickleball, chances are, you will find pickleball at parks with tennis courts if you live in a city. Many former tennis courts have been either converted to pickleball courts or will have pickleball lines on top of them. So you may see extra lines on top of an existing tennis court. Many parks also build pickleball courts right next to the tennis courts.

You can also check your local rec center to see if they offer pickleball indoors. Many rec centers will offer different sports on different days of the week. They add lines to existing basketball or volleyball courts. They may even hold beginners clinics with a local coach.

Where Can I Learn How To Play Pickleball?

You can learn how to play pickleball from someone you already know that plays pickleball, from beginners pickleball clinics at your local rec centers, or even through YouTube videos. You can also show up to your local pickleball courts and ask someone there to teach you.

Since pickleball is normally played as doubles and there are pick up games, it is a lot more of a social sport than other sports. You can get started with pickleball and learn to play the sport by showing up where others normally play. There are pickleball players that are friendly and would not mind teaching beginners how to play.

When you show up to play pickleball at your local parks, you can ask if there is a rotation for open play. Open play allows anyone to jump in a game with other players. Since there are different levels of players, it will help you gauge what else you will need to learn to get better at playing pickleball.

How Long Does It Take To Get Good At Pickleball?

If you come from other racket sports, you may be able to pick up playing pickleball faster than someone with no racket sports background. Like most brand new activities, the more often you play, the faster you will learn the sport and get better.

There is no set timeline to get good. It may only take some people a few weeks while others take months or even a few years, depending on their background and ability.

More Pickleball Tips

If you’re looking to get started with pickleball, it helps to know the terms and shots that are used in the game. Check out the next few articles so that you will know exactly what you’re doing when you’re out on the court.