Beginner's Guide

Let's Get Started
with Pickleball.

A new paddle sport that's like tennis, badminton, and table tennis rolled into one.
You can learn the rules in 30 minutes, and it's easy on the body. Everyone can enjoy it, regardless of age or gender, and it's one of the fastest-growing sports in the world right now.

1965

Invented in the U.S.

40M+

Players in North America

30 min

To learn the basic rules

1/4

Size relative to a tennis court

What is Pickleball?

What Is Pickleball?

Pickleball was invented in 1965 in Washington State, when three dads came up with a game to keep their bored kids entertained. It started out as a mix of a badminton court, table-tennis paddles, and a perforated plastic ball, and today it's the sport with the fastest-growing number of players in the U.S.

The court is about one-quarter the size of a tennis court. The ball is made of plastic with holes in it, and it travels more slowly than a tennis ball. It's a simple game of hitting the ball back and forth with paddles and scoring points, yet the battle over the “kitchen” area in front of the net gives it real strategic depth.

The sport's biggest draw is that it's built for everyone: not only people who've played racket sports like tennis, badminton, table tennis, or squash, but even people who have never held a racket get hooked after playing just once or twice.

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Tennis × Badminton × Table Tennis

A unique game that blends elements of three sports. If you've played racket sports before, you'll feel at home right away.

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Doubles-Focused and Social

Four-player doubles is the standard format. Calling out to your partner and chatting with other players come naturally, which makes it a sport where communities thrive.

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Easy on the Body

The smaller court means less running and less impact on your knees and lower back than tennis. That's one reason it's popular with seniors, too.

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Fun from Day One

The rules are simple, and you can pick up the basic strokes in about 30 minutes. Being able to play real games on your very first day is what really sets it apart from other sports.

Why Pickleball?

Why Pickleball, and Why Now?

The sport that became a cultural phenomenon in the U.S. is now starting to take off in Japan.

The Fastest-Growing Sport

In the U.S., it has been named the sport with the highest player growth rate three years in a row. In Japan, the sport is still in its early days, so now is the perfect time to start.

Play Across Generations

Few sports let everyone from elementary school kids to players 80 and older enjoy the game together on the same court. It's a great fit for family, friends, coworkers, and more.

Real Games in Little Time

A game takes about 15–20 minutes. Whether it's a morning session before work, your lunch break, or after school, you can enjoy it even without a big block of free time.

Tennis Players Get Especially Hooked

Your tennis skills carry over, while the delicate touch shots at the net (dinks) feel completely new. You'll get to enjoy the thrill of improving again and again.

What You Need

What You Need to Get Started

You only need the bare minimum. Once you have a paddle, all that's left is to head to the court.

Essential — Most Important

Paddle

You'll need a pickleball paddle, which is smaller than a tennis racket and larger than a table-tennis paddle. The feel changes a lot depending on the materials, weight, and core thickness, so choosing your first paddle matters.

For beginners, we recommend a thick-core (16mm) paddle, which is easier to control.

Ask Coach Yoshi, and he'll personally recommend a paddle that fits your playing style.

View the Paddle Buying Guide →

Essential — Ball

Ball

Pickleball uses a plastic ball with holes in it. Indoor and outdoor balls have different hole sizes, so they bounce and fly differently. Facilities often have balls you can borrow at first, so you can get started without buying your own.

Once you're playing regularly, it's handy to have one of your own.

Indoor: fewer, larger holes / Outdoor: more, smaller holes (less affected by wind)

Nice to Have — Footwear

Shoes

Pickleball-specific shoes are ideal, but tennis shoes or indoor gym shoes work fine too. Avoid running shoes, since their soles are too soft for side-to-side movement.

As you get more competitive, consider switching to court shoes with strong lateral support.

Starting out in the athletic shoes you already own is perfectly fine.

Basic Rules

Basic Rules — Just Learn These 4

You can pick up the finer rules later. Know these four, and you're ready to join a game.

Underhand Serves Only

Overhead serves like in tennis aren't allowed. Only underhand serves count, hit with an upward swing from below the waist. Just keep it simple, and even beginners can learn it quickly.

No Volleys in the Kitchen (NVZ)

In the 2.1 m area in front of the net, called the “non-volley zone (NVZ)” or simply the kitchen, you can't volley (hit the ball before it bounces). This strategic area is the heart of what makes pickleball so much fun.

The Two-Bounce Rule

The first two shots of a rally, starting with the serve, must bounce before they're hit: the receiving team lets the serve bounce, and the serving team also lets the return bounce before hitting it. After that, volleys are OK (outside the NVZ).

Calling the Score (Doubles)

In doubles, the score is called as three numbers: “serving team's score — receiving team's score — server number.” Example: “3-2-1.” Every game starts at “0-0-2.”

Want to learn more? Check out our Pickleball Glossary, which explains about 60 terms and rules with illustrations.

Getting Started

4 Steps to Get Started

You can start as soon as today.

Find a Court

Search social media and local community groups for pickleball trial sessions and lessons at tennis clubs and community gyms. In major metro areas like Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, dedicated pickleball courts are on the rise, too.

Give It a Try

For your first time, we recommend trying it with a rental paddle. Start by finding out whether it's right for you. Almost everyone wants to play again after just one session.

Choose Your Own Paddle

Once you find yourself wanting to play again, it's time to get your own paddle. Ask Coach Yoshi, and he'll personally recommend one that fits your playing style and budget.

Ask Us on LINE →

Join the Community

Pickleball is a community sport. Join a local group or an online community on social media, and you'll quickly find people to practice with.

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Recommended Resource

Pickleball Glossary

NVZ, kitchen, dink, stacking… About 60 terms you'll hear on the court, explained with illustrations. It clears up the terms that confuse beginners most.

View the Glossary →

Next Step