Pickleball Rules Explained for Beginners in India

django unchained
Sep 10
3 min read

Why Pickleball, Why Now?

Every sport begins with a first serve. For India, that new serve is pickleball. Across gated communities, city clubs, and local parks, players are picking up paddles and discovering a sport that blends tennis, badminton, and table tennis into one addictive game.

If you’re curious but unsure where to start — this guide will walk you through the basic rules of pickleball, step by step, so you can hit the court with confidence.

What Is Pickleball? (India’s New Sport)

Pickleball is played on a smaller court than tennis, using solid paddles and a perforated ball. The rules are simple, making it ideal for beginners, families, and communities.

In India, the sport is gaining momentum because:

Courts can fit into smaller urban spaces.
The learning curve is gentle, even for those new to racket sports.
It bridges generations — kids, parents, and grandparents can all play together.

Basic Pickleball Rules for Beginners

Serving

Always served underhand.
The serve must travel diagonally across the court.
Each player gets one serve attempt.

Scoring

Only the serving side can score points.
Games are typically played to 11 points, win by 2.

Singles vs Doubles

Singles: one player per side.
Doubles: two players per side (most common in India).

The Kitchen Rule (No-Volley Zone)

One of pickleball’s most unique rules is the kitchen — the 7-foot zone on either side of the net. Players cannot volley (hit the ball out of the air) while standing inside this zone.

Why it matters:

Keeps rallies long and strategic.
Prevents players from dominating near the net.

👉 Want to dive deeper? Read our full explainer: The Kitchen Rule in Pickleball: What It Is and Why It Matters

Scoring System Made Simple

The scoring system might feel unusual at first, but it’s easy once you try:

The server always calls the score as “server score – receiver score – server number.”
In doubles, each player on a team gets a turn to serve before passing to the other side.

Example:

If you are the first server on your team and win a rally → you score a point and keep serving.
If you lose the rally → your partner serves. If they also lose → the serve goes to the other side.

This system ensures both teams get equal opportunities to serve.

Court & Equipment Basics

Court Size: 20 x 44 feet (same for singles and doubles).
Net Height: 36 inches at the sidelines, 34 inches in the center.
Paddles: Available in wood, composite, or graphite. (Pro tip: graphite paddles are lighter and easier for beginners).
Balls: 40-hole plastic balls; neon yellow for outdoors, softer versions for indoors.

👉 Explore our full guide: Best Pickleball Paddles in India – 2025 Buyer’s List

Why Pickleball Rules Are Beginner-Friendly

Easy to learn: You can play your first game in under 15 minutes.
Quick matches: A standard game takes 15–25 minutes, perfect for busy lifestyles.
Social by design: Unlike some competitive sports, pickleball thrives on rallies, laughter, and teamwork.

It’s no surprise that Indian gated communities, sports clubs, and fitness groups are adopting pickleball as their sport of choice.

Quick Recap for Beginners

Serve underhand, cross-court.
Score only on your serve.
Stay out of the kitchen when volleying.
Play to 11 points, win by 2.

Simple rules. Maximum fun. A leap into something new.