How to Start Playing Pickleball | A Coach Explains the Equipment You Need and Your First Steps

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2026年6月10日

読了約6分

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How to Start Playing Pickleball | A Coach Explains the Equipment You Need and Your First Steps

"I want to try pickleball. But where do I start?" - This is the first guide you should read if you're asking yourself that question.

Hi, I'm Coach Yoshi. I played tennis for 15 years and discovered pickleball in 2026, becoming a coach. Pickleball's appeal lies in needing minimal equipment, having simple rules, and being enjoyable for all ages. In fact, the barrier to entry is quite low. This article will guide you from the necessary equipment to your first steps, starting from scratch.

Equipment Needed for Pickleball

These are the four essentials you'll need.

Image of pickleball equipment (paddle, ball, shoes)

Paddle: A flat,板状 racket. Owning your own will speed up your progress.
Ball: A plastic ball with holes. There are indoor and outdoor versions.
Shoes: Since there's a lot of lateral movement, court shoes with lateral support are recommended for safety. Running shoes tend to cause lateral instability.
Comfortable clothing: Tennis or badminton attire is fine.

💡 Coach Yoshi's Tip It's best to try pickleball with a rental paddle from a facility first. If you decide you want to continue, then buy your own paddle. Just having one will stabilize your feel and make the game much more enjoyable.

Where Can You Play?

Gyms/Sports Centers: More and more facilities are offering pickleball open play days and classes.
Dedicated courts/Converted tennis courts: The differences are explained in Tennis Court Conversion vs. Dedicated Courts.
Trial sessions/Beginner classes: These often lend out equipment and are perfect for your first step.

Search for "pickleball + [your city/region]" to find courts and classes near you.

Minimum Rules to Know

Don't worry about the detailed rules yet. Just know these basics for now:

Serve underhand, to the diagonal opponent's court.
The serve and its return must each bounce once before being hit (two-bounce rule).
Do not hit the ball in the air (no-volley zone) while standing in the "kitchen" (the area near the net).
Only the serving team can score points (points are only scored when you have the serve) - first to 11 points wins.

For more details, the Complete Guide to Pickleball Rules covers everything. Read it and you can play a game today.

Choosing Your First Paddle

If you're wondering "Which one should I buy?", you can't go wrong starting with an easy-to-handle control paddle (thicker core).

For beginners, a control paddle (around 16mm) or an intermediate hybrid paddle is a safe bet.
For more details, see Control vs. Power Paddles.
If you plan to compete, also check out USAP Certified Paddles.

For tennis players, the Complete Guide to Pickleball for Tennis Players will help you choose a paddle that suits your style.

First 3 Steps

Experience it: Play once at a trial session, class, or open play day (rented equipment is fine).
Get equipment: If you want to continue, start with one paddle and court shoes.
Learn the basics: Follow the order: rules → serve → dinks near the net, one by one.

Summary

You only need 4 things: paddle, ball, shoes, and comfortable clothing.
Play at a gym, dedicated court, or trial session. Search "pickleball + [your city/region]".
First, grasp these rules: "underhand serve, two-bounce, kitchen, score only on serve."
For your first paddle, a control/hybrid type is a safe bet.
Start with experience → equipment → basics in that order.

Pickleball is a sport where you can enjoy rallies from day one. Feel free to take the first step. If you're wondering "Where do I start?" or "Which paddle should I choose?", feel free to consult me (Coach Yoshi) via LINE. Let's take that first step together.