Straight answers to the questions every player asks, from your first day to the stuff the industry would rather you not ask.
What is the kitchen in pickleball?
The kitchen is the 7 foot zone on both sides of the net, officially called the non volley zone. You can stand in it, but you cannot hit the ball out of the air while you are in it. The rule keeps players from camping at the net and smashing everything.
How big is a pickleball court?
A regulation court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, the same dimensions for singles and doubles. That is roughly a quarter the size of a tennis court, which is why four pickleball courts can fit on one tennis court.
How does scoring work in pickleball?
Only the serving team can score points. Games are played to 11, and you must win by 2. The score is called as three numbers: serving team's score, receiving team's score, then which server is serving (1 or 2).
What is the double bounce rule?
Each side must let the ball bounce once before volleys are allowed. The serve bounces, the return bounces, and then the ball is live. This one rule is why the serve can never be a weapon the way it is in tennis.
How many points do you need to win?
11 points, win by 2. Tournament games sometimes go to 15 or 21, but 11 is the standard for rec play.
Why is it called pickleball?
The most told story: the inventor's dog was named Pickles, and the dog kept chasing the ball. The family says the dog came after the name, and it actually comes from pickle boat in rowing, where leftover rowers crew together. Either way, the dog story won.
How much should I spend on my first paddle?
Thirty to fifty dollars gets you a perfectly good beginner paddle. Do not buy a $200 paddle until you know what kind of player you are. Your first paddle teaches you what you want in your second one.
What is the 2.1k RPM paddle rule?
Starting October 1, a paddle's surface cannot generate more than 2.1k revolutions per minute of spin in lab testing. Paddles above the line are illegal for sanctioned play. It is the first hard performance cap the sport has ever set on equipment. We broke down what it means for your paddle here.
Can my paddle get banned?
Yes. Manufacturers submit paddles for approval, and approvals can be revoked if a paddle fails retesting. In 2024 a wave of decertifications left players holding expensive paddles that were suddenly illegal overnight. The full story is here.
What is DUPR?
DUPR is the global rating system for pickleball, a single number that follows you from rec play to the pros. It rates every player on the same scale, which is why your Tuesday open play games could feed the same system the pros use. We dug into what that means here.
Do I need a rating to play?
No. Ratings matter for tournaments and some leagues, but open play just needs you and a paddle. Get a DUPR when you are curious where you stand, not before.
Is pickleball easier than tennis?
Easier to start, hard to master. The smaller court and slower ball mean rallies start on day one, which is the whole appeal. The strategy at the kitchen line takes years, which is why people stay.
How many people play pickleball?
Participation keeps climbing every year, with the fastest growth now coming from players under 25. The sport's core problem is not demand, it is court supply.
Why are there never enough courts?
Roughly 1.5k core players share each court in America, against a healthy benchmark of about 500. Demand tripled while court construction crawled, so every metro has a wait list problem. We ran the numbers here.
Where does the money in pro pickleball go?
Mostly it stays in the pro game: tours, teams, broadcast deals, and the companies that own them. One owner now controls the pro tours, retail, registration software, and court builders after a $225M consolidation. Whether any of it reaches public courts is the question we ask every Tuesday. The full breakdown is here.
Is pickleball a good workout?
Yes, especially for the time it takes to learn. An hour of doubles burns real calories, and the stop start movement is genuinely athletic. Singles is a different animal entirely.
What age group plays the most?
The stereotype says retirees, but players 13 to 24 now post the highest participation rates of any age segment. The kids have taken over, and the sport is changing fast because of it. More here.
How do I find courts near me?
Start with your parks and recreation department site, then check the facility locators from the pro tours. Many areas now have dedicated pickleball facilities with open play schedules posted online. In the Charlotte area, public park courts fill up by 8am on weekends, so go early.
