Pickleball for beginners: what to expect at your first session

Pickleball Australia pitches the sport as being for everyone "aged 9 to 90", and the reason it spreads so fast is that a complete beginner can rally on their first day. Here is how to make that first day easy.

Step 1: find a session

Pickleball Australia's official directory covers clubs and venues affiliated through the state and territory associations, and says there are over 500 locations across Australia. Its Places to Play page suggests that once you find a club, you reach out about a free come-and-try session or a court booking.

You will also find private indoor centres, council leisure centres and tennis clubs that hire courts or run beginner nights. My where to play pages list verified venues city by city, and the finding a club guide explains what to ask.

Step 2: know what to wear and bring

• Shoes: court shoes or tennis shoes with a flat, grippy sole are the safe choice. Running shoes have a raised, soft heel built for going forward, not for the sideways steps pickleball is full of. See my shoes guide.
• Clothes: anything comfortable that you can move in. The rulebook says players should avoid clothing that closely matches the ball colour, because it makes the ball hard to see.
• Water and a hat for outdoor courts, and sunscreen. Many Australian sessions are outdoors.
• A paddle, if you have one. If not, ask the club whether loan paddles are available before you go.

Step 3: learn the four day-one rules

1. Serve underarm, diagonally, from behind the baseline. Beginners often find the drop serve easiest: drop the ball, let it bounce, then hit it.
2. Let the first two shots bounce. The return of serve must bounce, and so must the serving team's next shot. After that you can volley.
3. Do not volley in the kitchen. The 2.13 m zone next to the net is off limits for volleys, including its line.
4. Only the serving team scores, and games go to 11, win by 2.

Everything else you can pick up as you go. The rules page has the full detail and the scoring guide has a worked example.

Step 4: what happens at a typical session

Formats vary between clubs, so ask the organiser how theirs works. Things you might come across:

• Paddle stacking or a queue: players put their paddles in a rack or line, and the next four go on court when a game ends.
• Rotating partners: you play with and against different people each game.
• Coached beginner sessions: a short lesson on the serve, return and dink, followed by games.

Games to 11 are short, so in a typical session you get several games rather than one long match.

Common beginner mistakes

1. Rushing the net after serving. Because of the two-bounce rule, the return has to bounce. If you are halfway to the net, a deep return will catch you.
2. Hitting everything hard. Pickleball rewards placement and soft shots. A hard shot to two players at the net usually comes straight back.
3. Volleying with toes on the kitchen line. The line is part of the kitchen. Stand a step behind it.
4. Forgetting the score call. Call all three numbers before every serve in doubles.
5. Standing too far back to return. Return from near the baseline, then walk in behind your shot.
6. Not warming up. A few minutes of gentle movement and short rallies before playing is sensible for any sport.

Do I need to join Pickleball Australia to play?

Not to try it. You can play social games and come-and-try sessions without being a member. Pickleball Australia's How to Join page says membership gives you the ability to enter sanctioned tournaments and leagues, a newsletter, member discounts, eligibility for selection at regional to international events, and personal injury insurance when you play at an affiliated venue or event. The page says you join through your local club, or directly through your state association if you do not have a local club. Ask your club whether it expects regular players to be members.

Should I buy a paddle straight away?

Not before you have played a couple of times, unless you find a cheap one. Borrow paddles first, try a few weights and shapes, and then buy. My beginner sets guide and paddle buying guide show typical Australian prices.

How long until I am "good"?

There is no official answer, and it depends how often you play. Once you are playing regularly, the DUPR ratings guide explains how players are rated, which helps you find games at your level.