How To Play Pickleball

Free Virtual Clinic for Beginners

Learn the rules of the game, how to keep score and where to stand. You’ll also learn basic techniques for serving, volleying, forehands, backhands, and dinking.

Start the Course
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Clinic overview

What you’ll learn in 15 minutes:

  • Rules of the game

  • How to keep score

  • Serving

  • Volleying

  • Forehands

  • Backhands

  • Dinking

  • Positioning

Bonus Content!

Create a free Pickleheads account for access to two exclusive pickleball strategy videos:

Singles Strategy

Doubles Strategy

Picture of two pickleball playersPicture of two pickleball players

Meet your instructors

The Pickleball Chicks

With similar backgrounds, Beth and Jackie became fast friends & partners on the court. They are both former collegiate tennis players who have since traded their rackets for paddles (having finally listened to their mother’s advice).

From there — a highly competitive nature, a supportive community, and a newfound respect for drilling, led them to fly to countless tournaments across the US — resulting in securing a spot on the DUPR Great Plains top 50 list.

Beth & Jackie jointly make up @pickleballchicks, a social media platform that fights the neverending battle to prove that pickleball is a real sport — and showcase that women can be just as powerful on the court.

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Course Content

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Welcome

00:45

Introduction

This virtual pickleball clinic covers all the basics you need to know to get started, from the rules of play to essential techniques like serving, dinking, and volleying.

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Rules of the Game

02:11

How Scoring Works

Learn how to call the right score out every time in pickleball. You'll learn doubles scoring, singles scoring and what that tricky 3rd number means.

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Rules of the Game

01:36

Serving Rules

Every point in pickleball begins with a serve. Learn the rules of serving, serving rotation and how to start playing a game.

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Rules of the Game

00:43

Positioning

Learn the basics of positioning and where to stand during play. You'll learn how to position on both the serve and return to get an advantage over your opponents.

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Rules of the Game

01:09

Faults and How to Win a Point

Learn how to win a point in pickleball and the errors that will lose you points. You'll also learn the 5 most common faults to avoid in pickleball.

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Rules of the Game

01:18

The Non-Volley Zone / Kitchen

The Non-Volley Zone or “Kitchen” is a special area on the pickleball court. This video will teach you all the rules for play in this area, and how to use the Kitchen to your advantage.

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Rules of the Game

00:53

The Double-Bounce Rule

The Double-Bounce Rule is often for confusing for beginners. Learn what the rule is, how to avoid it, and why it's necessary to make the game fair.

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Fundamentals

01:52

Serving

This video covers serving technique. You'll learn how to make sure your serves are legal and 2 great beginner serves.

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Fundamentals

01:12

Forehands

Learn proper forehand technique. You'll also learn how to hold the paddle and the most common forehand grip.

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Fundamentals

01:27

Backhands

Learn proper backhand technique and tips to improve your stroke. You'll also learn how to hold the paddle and the most common backhand grips.

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Fundamentals

00:57

Volleying

Learn what a volley is and why it's the most important stroke in pickleball. You'll also learn 4 tips to improve your volleys and common faults to avoid.

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Fundamentals

01:05

Dinking

The dink is a strategic shot unique to pickleball. Learn what it is, how to hit it, and why mastering it is critical to advance your level.

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Bonus Content

00:52

Singles Strategy

Learn essential singles pickleball strategies in this video. Discover quick tips for serving, returning, and gaining control of the point to help you dominate the court.

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Bonus Content

00:52

Doubles Strategy

Take your doubles pickleball game to the next level with these quick tips for strategy. Learn how to get to the kitchen quickly, mix up your shots, and communicate effectively with your partner for better results.

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Thank You

00:24

Conclusion

Thanks for taking our virtual pickleball clinic! If you're ready to put what you've learned to the test, find courts and play times near you.

Video thumbnail

Welcome

00:45

Introduction

This virtual pickleball clinic covers all the basics you need to know to get started, from the rules of play to essential techniques like serving, dinking, and volleying.

Video thumbnail

Rules of the Game

02:11

How Scoring Works

Learn how to call the right score out every time in pickleball. You'll learn doubles scoring, singles scoring and what that tricky 3rd number means.

Video thumbnail

Rules of the Game

01:36

Serving Rules

Every point in pickleball begins with a serve. Learn the rules of serving, serving rotation and how to start playing a game.

Video thumbnail

Rules of the Game

00:43

Positioning

Learn the basics of positioning and where to stand during play. You'll learn how to position on both the serve and return to get an advantage over your opponents.

Video thumbnail

Rules of the Game

01:09

Faults and How to Win a Point

Learn how to win a point in pickleball and the errors that will lose you points. You'll also learn the 5 most common faults to avoid in pickleball.

Video thumbnail

Rules of the Game

01:18

The Non-Volley Zone / Kitchen

The Non-Volley Zone or “Kitchen” is a special area on the pickleball court. This video will teach you all the rules for play in this area, and how to use the Kitchen to your advantage.

Video thumbnail

Rules of the Game

00:53

The Double-Bounce Rule

The Double-Bounce Rule is often for confusing for beginners. Learn what the rule is, how to avoid it, and why it's necessary to make the game fair.

Video thumbnail

Fundamentals

01:52

Serving

This video covers serving technique. You'll learn how to make sure your serves are legal and 2 great beginner serves.

Video thumbnail

Fundamentals

01:12

Forehands

Learn proper forehand technique. You'll also learn how to hold the paddle and the most common forehand grip.

Video thumbnail

Fundamentals

01:27

Backhands

Learn proper backhand technique and tips to improve your stroke. You'll also learn how to hold the paddle and the most common backhand grips.

Video thumbnail

Fundamentals

00:57

Volleying

Learn what a volley is and why it's the most important stroke in pickleball. You'll also learn 4 tips to improve your volleys and common faults to avoid.

Video thumbnail

Fundamentals

01:05

Dinking

The dink is a strategic shot unique to pickleball. Learn what it is, how to hit it, and why mastering it is critical to advance your level.

Video thumbnail

Bonus Content

00:52

Singles Strategy

Learn essential singles pickleball strategies in this video. Discover quick tips for serving, returning, and gaining control of the point to help you dominate the court.

Video thumbnail

Bonus Content

00:52

Doubles Strategy

Take your doubles pickleball game to the next level with these quick tips for strategy. Learn how to get to the kitchen quickly, mix up your shots, and communicate effectively with your partner for better results.

Video thumbnail

Thank You

00:24

Conclusion

Thanks for taking our virtual pickleball clinic! If you're ready to put what you've learned to the test, find courts and play times near you.

Share

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