Pickleball has quickly become one of the more popular sports in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. The game combines fast rallies with simple rules, making it appealing to both pros and complete newbies – not to mention its competitive nature, which adds a fun factor.
If you’re looking to get into pickleball in 2026, but don’t know where or how to start, here’s everything you need to know about playing pickleball as a beginner.
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Combine elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis, and you’ll get pickleball – it’s a paddle sport played on a court that’s the same size as a badminton doubles court, using solid paddles and a lightweight plastic ball with holes.
The game feels fast-paced and reactive like table tennis, but with longer rallies and more movement. Despite this, pickleball gained massive popularity from 2021 onwards because it’s low-impact and relatively easy to learn.
You don’t need years of training to enjoy a proper rally – most beginners are able to keep the ball in play within their first session.
Image credit: Performance Pickleball
Yes. Pickleball is widely recognised as one of the most beginner-friendly sports available. The rules are straightforward and easy to remember, allowing new players to focus more on enjoying the game rather than memorising complex mechanics.
Because the court is relatively small, you won’t need to cover large distances, which means less running around and less strain on your body.
Image credit: Stacy Chew
This is the standard pickleball court layout. While the official term for the area players can’t step into is the non-volley zone, most people just call it the kitchen.
Image credit: Stacy Chew
First things first, start with an underhand serve from your right service area behind the baseline in the court. The goal is to hit the ball diagonally into your opponent’s right service area and have it land beyond the kitchen. Your opponent should be doing the same.
Image credit: Stacy Chew
Once the rally starts, you can hit the ball over the net either from the left or right service area to your opponent within the court lines.
Points are only scored by the serving team, and the server continues serving until a fault is made, like when the net is hit, a player steps into the kitchen while volleying, or if the ball goes out of the court lines.
Both players on the serving team get a turn before the serve switches sides, except at the start of the game, which keeps the flow of the game smooth and ensures everyone gets a chance to contribute.
Image adapted from: @effectivepickleball via Instagram
All your serves must be underhand, with the paddle contacting the ball below waist height. When you serve, your opponent must let the ball bounce on their end before returning it, and you have to do the same on your end too – this is called the double bounce rule. As long as you’re following it, it’s generally fine if the ball lands in the kitchen, just not on your very first serve.
Only the serving team can score points; games are usually played to 11 points, and you need to win by 2. If you’re on the serving team and you win a point, you’ll have to switch serving sides from left to right or vice versa.
In doubles, losing a rally as a server will mean passing the next serve to your partner, and if they miss the serve, the serve will be passed to the opposing team, who are on the receiving end.
Image credit: Stacy Chew
In the event that the score is even, the serve is taken from the right service area, and when the score is odd, the serve comes from the left. Both players on a team serve before the serve switches sides, except at the start of the game.
A pickleball scoreboard typically has 3 numbers indicating the serving and receiving team scores, along with the current server number displayed as either 1 or 2, as in you or your partner. The server number tells players who is serving the ball.
Here’s an example of what a pickleball scoreboard looks like:
| Serving team’s score | Receiving team’s score | Server number |
| 4 | 2 | 1 |
On average, a standard game of pickleball lasts 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the skill level of the players and whether you’re playing singles or doubles. Casual games can be shorter, while competitive matches may take longer.
Many beginners struggle with positioning, causing them to accidentally step into the kitchen while volleying. Others tend to rely too heavily on power, attempting to smash every shot instead of focusing on control and placement, which may also lead to unnecessary faults.
Forgetting the score is also a common mistake and can disrupt the flow of the game, while poor footwork and spacing between doubles partners are also common issues, which can result in colliding with one another or creating a gap for your opponents to score in between.
Image credit: ProBuddy
To avoid these mistakes, focus on your footwork instead of rushing your serve – this means slowing down so that you’ll play more smoothly. Consistent communication with your partner is also important in securing the most strategic positioning throughout the entire game, and to also avoid bumping into each other.
You can also try loosening your paddle grip strength to half of your current one and use more of your shoulders for guidance, so you don’t smash your pickleball to hard. This also helps prevent any unnecessary injury to your wrist.
Always remember that practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged by some mistakes made on the court.
Image credit: Rudel Saldivar via Google Maps
Pickleball courts are increasingly accessible across Singapore. For instance, Straits Pickle Club at Jurong Play Grounds is the largest outdoor facility in the country, offering 10 outdoor courts from $18/hour.
If rain is in the forecast, The Sports Arina has 12 indoor courts that are ideal for regular play, no matter the weather, starting from $20/hour.
For a more budget-friendly option, ActiveSG sports halls and community clubs offer both indoor and outdoor courts from $3.50/hour across the island. Courts can be easily booked through the ActiveSG website.
Check out our full list of pickleball court locations in Singapore.
Image adapted from: PickleGO, THE SPORTS ARINA via Google Maps
Indoor pickleball courts offer controlled conditions with consistent lighting and no wind, resulting in more predictable gameplay. On the other hand, outdoor courts provide a more open and spacious environment, but can be affected by weather conditions such as wind and sun.
Both options are suitable for beginners, with the choice depending largely on personal preference.
The good thing about pickleball is that you don’t need much to get started. At a minimum, you’ll need a paddle, a pickleball, and comfortable sportswear. Court shoes or trainers with a good grip are recommended, but unlike some other court sports, you don’t need specialised shoes.
On certain courts, especially those shared with badminton, you may need shoes with non-marking soles to protect the floor.
However, most of the time, you don’t need expensive equipment unless you plan to play professionally.
Image credit: PickleGO
For starters, you can find pickleball sets like the Prokennex BlazeUltra Ace Pickleball Set for $119 at Decathlon – the set comes with 2 paddles and a total of 6 balls. But if you prefer to shop IRL, head down to Decathlon stores to try the equipment in person.
Alternatively, shop at PickleGO, a store dedicated to selling pickleball equipment. Get your hands on the HNDRD Spirit X WIDE Pickleball Paddle Set for $99, which includes 2 paddles, 4 pickleballs, and 2 HNDRD paddle covers.
You can also get pickleball equipment easily on online platforms like Shopee and have it delivered to your home.
Check out our roundup of places to buy affordable pickleball equipment in Singapore.
Getting better at pickleball takes some progress, and if we can only give you one tip, it’d be to try playing with more experienced players – don’t be paiseh to ask them questions when you’re unsure. Watching matches online to see how other players move and position themselves during rallies might also help.
Over time, you’ll not only improve your skills but also make new friends and have fun every time you play pickleball.
Read our other articles for sports-related guides:
Cover image adapted from: Performance Pickleball, PickleGO
A portion of this content may contain referral links where The Smart Local may collect a commission. Our opinions remain our own.
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