The short version of pickleball basics and how we play at OCPC — everything a first-timer needs before stepping on court.
Serves are hit underhand and must land in the opposite diagonal service box. You get one serve attempt (no second serve like tennis).
After the serve, the ball must bounce once on each side before anyone can volley it (hit it out of the air). After that, you can volley freely — outside the kitchen.
The "kitchen" is the 7-foot no-volley zone on each side of the net. You can stand in it, but you can't hit the ball out of the air while any part of you is touching it.
In traditional scoring, only the serving side can score a point. Games are typically played to 11, win by 2.
At the open-play level, players call their own in/out shots. Call it as you see it, and when in doubt, favor your opponent — it's part of the culture.
Most open play is doubles (2v2). Rotations mean you'll play with different partners throughout a session — that's the point.
Also called "the kitchen" — the 7-foot zone on each side of the net. You can stand in it, but you can't hit the ball out of the air (volley) while any part of you is touching this zone. Let it bounce first.
The serve is hit underhand, diagonally crosscourt, landing in the opponent's service box.
Score is 0–0 (even). The server always starts on the even-numbered side of their own court — commonly called the "right" court. Blue 1 serves diagonally to Green's court.
In rally scoring, every rally results in a point — for whichever side wins it, whether they served or not. Because scoring isn't tied to who's serving, doubles play doesn't need the "first server / second server" sequence from side-out scoring, and partners don't switch sides between points since court position isn't used to track who serves next. Serve still follows the normal serve rules (underhand, diagonal, one attempt), and possession simply passes to whichever side is due next. This format plays faster and more predictably than side-out scoring, which is why it shows up often in team and tournament formats. Games are commonly played to 15 points by default, though some formats go to 21 — always win by 2.
| What Changes | Side-Out Scoring | Rally Scoring |
|---|---|---|
| Who can score | Only the serving team | Either team, every rally |
| Server sequence | First & second server per team | No second-server rule |
| Switching sides | Server switches sides after each point won | Partners stay in place |
| Typical target | 11 points, win by 2 | 15 or 21 points, win by 2 |
| Common use | Everyday open play, rec leagues | Team formats, some tournaments |
If you're not sure whether you're allowed to hit a shot, ask before you swing — regulars are always happy to walk new players through a rule mid-game. Nobody expects you to know everything on day one.
Open play runs on rotation — after your game, clear the court quickly so the next group can start. If there's a queue, sit out gracefully and wait your turn.
If a ball rolls in from another court, pause your play and return it once there's a break — don't just kick it aside.
Call the score before every serve so both sides are on the same page — it avoids disputes later in the game.
Unless it's a beginner clinic, let players figure out their own shots during a game. Save the tips for after.
Tap paddles after a game, thank your partner and opponents, and keep the energy positive — win or lose. That's the culture we're building.
Bring your own water, wear non-marking court shoes, and show up a few minutes early so rotations stay on schedule.
Tap a term to see what it means.
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