Watch a step-by-step how to play pickleball video to learn rules, strokes, strategy.
I’ve taught dozens of beginners using a clear how to play pickleball video and a simple plan. In this guide, I’ll walk you through gear, rules, key shots, and court smarts. You’ll get real tips from my own sessions, drills that work, and advice to film your own how to play pickleball video so you learn faster and have more fun.
What you’ll learn from this how to play pickleball video guide
This guide mirrors a clean, beginner-friendly video lesson. You can read it, then watch and practice. I keep each step short. You can pause, repeat, and improve fast. My goal is to make you confident in one session.
You will learn:
- Court layout and the kitchen rule
- Serve, return, dinks, drops, drives, and volleys
- Side-out scoring and how to call the score
- Simple doubles strategy and footwork
- A 20-minute plan you can follow with any how to play pickleball video
Gear and court basics you’ll see in any how to play pickleball video
Pickleball uses a 20-by-44-foot court. The non-volley zone, also called the kitchen, is a 7-foot strip on each side of the net. The net sits at 36 inches at the posts and 34 inches in the middle. Lines are in.
Use a paddle (no strings) and a plastic ball with holes. Indoor balls are softer and have bigger holes. Outdoor balls are harder with more, smaller holes. Wear court shoes for grip and safety.
Bring water, a small towel, and eye protection if you like. Good gear helps, but form and footwork matter more. A good how to play pickleball video will show proper grip and stance with this setup.
Rules and scoring made simple
Most play uses side-out scoring to 11, win by 2. Only the serving team can score. In doubles, both players serve before a side-out, except at the start of the game when only the second server serves.
Two-bounce rule: The serve must bounce once. The return must bounce once. After that, you can volley outside the kitchen. The kitchen is the non-volley zone. Do not volley while standing in it or touching its line.
Common faults: Hitting out, hitting the net and not clearing, volleying in the kitchen, foot fault on the serve. A clear how to play pickleball video will show each fault so you can spot them fast. Learn to call the score loud and clear.
Core grips, stance, and ready position
Use a continental grip for most shots. It feels like you are shaking hands with the paddle. Keep a loose, relaxed hold.
Stand with feet wider than your shoulders. Knees soft. Paddle up by your chest. Elbows in. Eyes level. This ready shape is your home base. You’ll see it used over and over in any how to play pickleball video.
Quick checks:
- Paddle up, not down
- Light grip, quick hands
- Small steps, stay balanced
Serve and return that set up the point
Serve underhand. Contact the ball below your waist, with the paddle moving up. You can use a drop serve or a volley serve, based on the current rules. Serve deep and to the middle when safe.
On the return, aim deep to the baseline. Give yourself time to reach the kitchen line. Keep it simple. In my coaching, a steady deep return wins more points than a flashy shot. Most how to play pickleball video lessons stress depth first.
Serve keys:
- Start with 70% power, focus on targets
- Add a safe arc over the net
- Minimal spin until you are consistent
Dinking and the kitchen: your control zone
A dink is a soft shot that lands in the opponent’s kitchen. It slows the game and forces errors. Play dinks cross-court for a longer, safer net. Aim knee high or lower.
Do not volley in the kitchen. If you step in after a ball bounces, that is fine. Step out before you volley. A good how to play pickleball video will show footwork: split step, reach, place, recover.
Dink tips:
- Use a gentle, short swing
- Keep your wrist quiet
- Lift with your legs, not your arm
Drops, drives, and volleys: build your attack
Third-shot drop: From the baseline after your serve, drop the ball into the kitchen. This lets you and your partner move to the net. Keep the face open and swing smooth.
Drive: Hit a firm, waist-high ball through the middle. Use it if the return is short or high. Do not overhit. Win with placement first.
Volleys: Meet the ball early with a short punch. Keep your paddle up and out front. In my sessions, players improve fastest when they practice 50 quiet punch volleys each side. Watch a how to play pickleball video that shows a compact punch, not a swing.
Positioning and simple doubles strategy
Play as a team. After your serve, try to take the net together. Cover the middle and talk often. Say “mine,” “yours,” and “switch.”
Golden rules:
- Get to the kitchen line as soon as it is safe
- Aim most shots to the middle to cut angles
- Move with your partner like you are tied by a rope
If you stack (switch sides on serve or return), have a clear plan. Many how to play pickleball video guides show stacking, but keep it simple until your basics are strong.
Common mistakes and quick fixes
I see the same errors in early play. Fix them fast with simple cues.
- Swinging too big at the net. Fix: Shorten the volley to a punch.
- Hitting every third shot hard. Fix: Try a drop to set your move.
- Standing behind the kitchen line. Fix: Toes on the line, paddle up.
- Serving without a target. Fix: Aim deep middle 80% of the time.
- Holding the paddle too tight. Fix: Loosen grip to a 3 out of 10.
A clear how to play pickleball video that pauses and replays these fixes will help them stick.
A 20-minute practice plan you can pair with a how to play pickleball video
Use this plan before games. It is short and sharp. I use it with new groups.
Minutes 0–3: Dynamic warm-up. March, side steps, arm circles.
Minutes 3–7: Dinks cross-court. Focus on height and footwork.
Minutes 7–10: Volley blocks from midcourt. Paddle up.
Minutes 10–13: Third-shot drops from baseline. Land it soft.
Minutes 13–16: Serves to deep targets. Call your score out loud.
Minutes 16–18: Deep returns. Aim middle. Recover to the line.
Minutes 18–20: Play points with one rule: reach the kitchen fast.
Follow along with a how to play pickleball video and pause between blocks. Track two goals each day, like “80% serves in” and “10 soft dinks in a row.”
Filming and editing your own how to play pickleball video
Recording yourself speeds learning. You see what you cannot feel. Keep it simple.
Camera setup:
- One camera from behind your baseline at waist height
- Optional second camera high on the side for angles
- Use 60 fps if you can for smooth slow motion
Audio and notes:
- Add short voice notes after each drill
- Mark time stamps for serve, drop, dink, volley
- Keep clips under 30 seconds for quick review
Editing and posting:
- Add captions and chapter titles
- Use clear keywords like “how to play pickleball video,” “pickleball serve,” and “pickleball dinking”
- Write a short description with your drill list and goals
I often send players a 2-minute recap cut. It keeps focus sharp. Your own how to play pickleball video will guide your next session.
Safety, warm-up, and court etiquette
Warm up with light steps, hip turns, and shoulder circles. Add 10 easy dinks and 10 soft volleys before games. Drink water and rest if you feel dizzy or stiff.
Etiquette helps the game flow:
- Call the score loud before you serve
- No serve “lets” are played; play it as it lands
- Make fair line calls with space for doubt
Keep the court clear of balls. Say “ball on” if any ball rolls in. A safe court makes every how to play pickleball video lesson work better.
Frequently Asked Questions of how to play pickleball video
What is the fastest way to learn from a how to play pickleball video?
Watch one skill at a time, then practice it for five minutes. Pause, replay, and record yourself to compare form.
How many times should I watch a how to play pickleball video?
Two or three focused viewings are enough for one skill. Take notes, then test the tip in live play.
What should I look for in a beginner how to play pickleball video?
Clear angles, slow motion, and simple cues. Look for drills you can repeat and a short practice plan.
Can I learn doubles strategy from a how to play pickleball video?
Yes, if it shows positioning and when to move. Focus on kitchen control, middle coverage, and partner talk.
Do I need any special gear to follow a how to play pickleball video?
No, just a paddle, balls, and court shoes. A phone on a tripod helps if you want to film your progress.
Conclusion
You now have the rules, the shots, and a plan you can use today. Watch a solid how to play pickleball video, run the 20-minute routine, and track two small wins each session. Small steps add up fast on the court.
Ready to level up? Save this guide, share it with your partner, and try filming your next drill block. Drop a comment with your biggest win this week or what you want covered next.