Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of badminton, table tennis and tennis. Two or four players use solid paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball over a net on a 20 × 44-foot court, the size of a badminton court. Serves are underhand, the first two shots must bounce, and nobody may volley from the 7-foot zone next to the net, called the kitchen. Games usually go to 11, win by 2, and only the serving side scores.
It was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, and was played by 24.3 million Americans in 2025, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). The rules below are from the 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook, the sport’s US governing body.
Source: USA Pickleball, About & History; 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook; SFIA 2026 report
How pickleball is played
- Serve. The server stands behind the baseline and hits the ball diagonally, underhand, into the opposite service court. The ball must clear the kitchen. You can hit it out of the air (a volley serve, contact below the waist) or drop it and hit it after the bounce (a drop serve). See serve rules.
- Two bounces. The receiver must let the serve bounce, and the serving team must let the return bounce. After that, anyone may volley. See the two-bounce rule.
- The kitchen. You can’t volley while standing in the 7-foot non-volley zone or on its line. You can step in to hit a ball that has bounced. See kitchen rules.
- Rally until someone faults. Hitting the ball out, into the net, or volleying from the kitchen ends the rally.
- Score. Only the serving side can win a point. Win the rally and you score and keep serving. Lose it and the serve passes on. Games go to 11 and must be won by 2. A provisional rally-scoring option, where every rally scores, is also in the rulebook (Rule 14.A). See how scoring works.
In doubles, both partners serve before the serve passes to the other team, except at the start of each game. That’s why the score is called as three numbers (“0–0–2” to start). In singles it’s two numbers. See singles rules.
The court
The court is the same for singles and doubles: 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, with the net 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches at the center. Each side has a 7-foot kitchen and two 10 × 15-foot service courts (Rules 3.A and 3.B). Full measurements and a diagram are in pickleball court dimensions.
The gear
| Item | What the 2026 rules say |
|---|---|
| Paddle | Length plus width no more than 24 in, length no more than 17 in. No limits on weight or thickness. Rigid material, no rough or rubber surfaces (Rule 3.D) |
| Ball | Molded, smooth plastic with holes; USA Pickleball describes 26–40 holes. Any approved ball may be used indoors or out (Rule 3.C) |
| Shoes | Not regulated, but court shoes beat running shoes for side-to-side movement |
By custom, balls with larger holes are used indoors and balls with smaller holes outdoors (rulebook Figure 3-2). See what ball is used in pickleball and how to choose a paddle.
A short history
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1965 | Joel Pritchard and Bill Bell invent the game on Bainbridge Island, Washington, with ping-pong paddles, a perforated plastic ball and a badminton net, lowered from 60 to 36 inches. Barney McCallum joins the following weekend and the three write the first rules. |
| 1967 | The first permanent court is built at Joel and Joan Pritchard's home in Seattle. |
| 1972 | Pickle-Ball Inc. is formed to protect the new sport. |
| 1976 | The first known tournament is held in Tukwila, Washington. |
| 1984 | The US Amateur Pickleball Association forms and publishes the first rulebook. |
| 1990 | Pickleball is played in all 50 states. |
| 2005 | The USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) is founded as a new corporation. |
| 2020 | USAPA rebrands as USA Pickleball. |
| 2025 | USA Pickleball passes 100,000 members, and its National Championships move to San Diego. |
Source: USA Pickleball, About & History.
Who plays, and how many
Source: SFIA Topline Participation Reports, as compiled in our pickleball statistics page
Participation grew almost sixfold from 2020 to 2025. Women made up 42.9% of players in 2025, and people aged 13 to 24 had the highest participation rate of any age group, so it’s no longer just a retirees’ sport. Growth slowed to 1.3% in the first half of 2026, SFIA’s first sign of moderation. More in pickleball statistics.
Why people like it
- It’s easy to start. The small court, underhand serve and slow plastic ball mean beginners rally in their first hour.
- It’s social. Four players on a small court, with open play that rotates partners. A 2025 national survey linked playing to lower odds of loneliness in adults over 50 (research summary).
- It’s real exercise. Measured players work at about 4.1 METs, moderate intensity. See health benefits.
- It’s strategic. The kitchen and the two-bounce rule reward touch and patience as much as power.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pickleball in simple terms?
A paddle sport played on a badminton-sized court with a low net, a plastic ball with holes and solid paddles. It combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, and can be played as singles or doubles.
Why is it called pickleball?
The game’s founders and their families have told different stories about the name over the years. USA Pickleball covers the history on its About & History page.
How is pickleball different from tennis?
The court is about a third the size of a tennis court, the paddle is solid, the ball is plastic, serves are underhand, and there’s a no-volley zone next to the net. See pickleball vs tennis.
How do you score in pickleball?
Only the serving side scores. Games go to 11 and must be won by 2. In doubles the score is called as three numbers: serving team, receiving team, server number.
Is pickleball hard to learn?
Most people can rally within an hour. Getting good at the soft game at the kitchen takes longer. See is pickleball hard.
Where can I play pickleball in Austin?
Pickleland in Pflugerville has 9 indoor, climate-controlled courts and a free intro class for beginners. See first time playing.