When stepping onto the court for the first time, a beginner in pickleball often wonders how their skill level is measured. The game, being the fastest growing sport in the nation, attracts people of all ages and athletic abilities, leading to a variety of players entering tournaments.
However, many struggle to understand the rating system that differentiates each player. In this article, we will find out what defines a basic player and how they can improve. While some naturally grasp the sense of the game, others need guidance to make progress.
A different approach, focusing on learning the basic techniques, can help build confidence and refine abilities. Whether you’re just starting or aiming to level up, knowing how to considered a advance Player is key to enjoying the game and mastering its fundamentals.
What is considered a beginner pickleball player?
Key Points in Beginner Player Skill Level
- A novice player in pickleball is new to the game, possessing minimal knowledge of its rules and structure.
- A beginner often struggles with learning how to serve and is still developing and improve strong forehand short.
- Their Pickleball gameplay is limited to short rallies, frequently fails to return easy balls, and occasionally even misses shots entirely.
- Having only played a few games, they are still grasping court lines, scoring, and other basic fundamentals needed to progress.
Basic Rules of Beginner level pickleball player
If you are new to pickleball, the rules are simple and easy to learn! The game starts with an underhand serve, and you’ll need to let the ball bounce once on each side before volleying just keep it fun and fair.
1. Pickleball Singles or Doubles
In pickleball, players can compete in either singles or doubles, depending on their preference and comfort level. A court can have up to four people playing when engaging in a doubles match, with two teams of two players covering the ground together.
Singles follows a one-on-one style, demanding more movement and quick reflexes. According to USA Pickleball and its official rules summary, most games are played in doubles since it is more beginner-friendly, as it reduces excessive movement, making it easier to reach the ball.
Having a partner allows beginners to feel more familiar with the game and enjoy the experience while naturally learning the strategies.
Whether one prefers to share the way with a teammate or test their skills alone, both formats offer excitement and challenge over time.
2. Serving Side Scores a Point
In pickleball, only the serving side has the chance to score points, while the receivers focus on sending the ball back. In doubles, the first player on the team starts on the right side of the court, which is the even-numbered position at 0 – 0 – Start.
The server must hit the ball diagonally to the opposite side, where their opponent stands. If they score, they switch to the left side and serve again.
This sequence continues until a fault or rule infraction occurs, at which point the second player serves. In singles, once a fault happens, the ball comes back to the other side, and the process repeats until someone fails to return the serve.
How is the Word ‘Start’ in the Score?
In pickleball, you might notice that the score often includes the word Start, as seen in 0 – 0 – Start. This example may seem confusing at first, but a simple explanation clears it up. In doubles, when the serving team begins the game, the first server is always referred to as 1, while the second is 2.
Instead of calling out 1 at the start, they commonly say Start to indicate the initial serve. This is part of a technical rule known as the First-Server Exception, where Start serves as an alternative to 2.
After the first server finishes, the team experiences a side out, and the sequence resumes as each player serves consecutively.
Keeping track of the numbers, understanding the rules, and learning the ins and outs of keeping score is key to progressing in the game.
3. The First Server Is Determined by a Coin Flip
In pickleball, the first serve is decided by a random method, adding a fun touch to the sport. Like many sports, this process does not make a player any better, but it is a basic rule worth knowing.
The most common way is a flip of a coin, where one opponent or opposing team will call heads or tails, and whoever wins the toss gets to serve first.
Other options include spinning a paddle or playing a short rally to determine the first point and indicate which side starts.
4. The Ball Needs to Bounce Once Per Side
In pickleball, the two bounce rule means that after the initial serve to start the game, the ball must bounce once before the receiver can hit it.
Then, the server must wait for the returning ball to bounce before hitting it back over the net. If the ball bounces twice, it is a fault. Once both sides have completed this rule, players can begin volleying.
This rule only applies at the point when the game begins and does not affect play throughout the rest of the match. The rule was originally called the double-bounce rule, but USA Pickleball made an official name change to avoid confusion.
The term “double-bounce” suggested the ball bouncing twice on the same side of the court, which is a fault. Since then, the term has been changed, and while the old term may be outdated, it’s good to have an idea of what people mean when they use the old saying.
5. Volley Serves Equal Underhand
Starting in pickleball can be an exciting transition, especially for those coming from a tennis background. Many players find the game accessible, but adjusting to its unique serve rules is crucial.
Unlike in tennis, where serves can be overhand and powerful, pickleball requires an underhand motion. A legal serve must follow specific guidelines.
The paddle must make contact with the ball below the waist, the arm must move in an upward motion, and the head of the paddle cannot exceed the height of the wrist. These rules ensure that every player, whether beginner or experienced, starts with a fair shot.
Beyond mastering the serve, a beginner must also focus on court positioning and strategy. The service must land diagonally in the correct area, avoiding faults like hitting the net or landing in the kitchen.
A strong grasp of positioning helps a player stay prepared for quick volleys. In doubles, the first server gets one chance, and if they fault, the serve passes to the partner. In singles, the side automatically changes after a mistake.
Learning these rules early helps players develop a solid foundation, improving their skills while avoiding unnecessary faults.
Understanding the flow of the game, adapting to its nuances, and knowing how to play within the rules makes the transition into pickleball smoother for every beginner.
6. You Have to Serve Behind the Baseline
A beginner in pickleball must understand the importance of the baseline when serving, as it acts as an anchor for proper positioning.
The baselines stretch across the width of the court, running parallel to the net at both ends. To execute a legal serve, both feet must remain behind the baseline, with at least one foot firmly planted on the surface at the moment of contact.
The centerline and sideline define the boundary, ensuring the server does not touch or step beyond the designated area.
Many players struggle with placement at first, as their momentum can push them past the confines of the court, especially when attempting a new stance or trying a drop serve.
It’s best to position yourself in the middle of the area, a turn away from the outside, keeping balance and avoiding errors. Early on, it’s essential to pay close attention to footwork to prevent mistakes that could lead to a fault.
7. The Ball Has to Stay in Bounds
A beginner in pickleball must quickly learn to keep the ball within the bounds of the court, as hitting it out results in an automatic fault.
The lines on the court are more than just a guideline for serving they define where players can move and where the ball must land. If the ball lands in the non-volley zone, often called the kitchen, during a serve, it’s a fault.
This marked area extends seven feet from the net on both sides of the court and runs the full width. The line that separates the service area from the kitchen is also part of this rule.
However, during regular play, you are free to hit into the kitchen whenever you want, just not on a volley. As a partner in doubles, making these mistakes can cost your opponent a point and shift the game’s momentum.
A good strategy is to follow the game closely, focus on shot accuracy, and always be mindful of where the ball is landing.
8. The Game is Usually Played to 11 Points
Unlike other sports, pickleball is not a time based game, meaning there is no allotted time for play. Instead, the winner is the player or side that reaches 11 points first, but they must have at least 2 more than their opponent to claim victory.
In tournament settings, the rules may be different, with games often played in a best of 3 format, extending the score to 15 or 21 per match.
However, in non-tournament games, it is uncommon to change the standard scoring system, as most players follow the traditional method where the higher score wins.
A beginner should focus on consistent play, learning when to attack and defend, and understanding how to reach the winning threshold efficiently.
In Conclusion
Mastering pickleball as a beginner takes time, patience, and practice. While early struggles with serving, court awareness, and the non-volley zone are common, consistent gameplay and learning the essential rules help build confidence.
As skills improve, understanding positioning, refining techniques, and engaging in more extended rallies become natural.
The key is to keep playing, keep learning, and enjoy the process because progress in pickleball isn’t just about skill but also about having fun and embracing the challenge.