Pickleball is a mixture of a few different sports combined in one. For example, it’s played on a badminton-size court, the ball is similar to what’s used in wiffle ball and you use a racket that basically an oversized Ping-Pong paddle. The court, which is often a converted tennis court, is 20 feet by 44 feet, and the net is 34 inches high at center and 36 inches at each side.

The object of the game is to hit the ball over the net and within specific areas of play until someone faults, which is when a player either fails to reach the ball with their paddle, hits the ball into the net, or hit the ball over the net and out of bounds.

The game begins when the ball is served diagonally over the net, clearing the seven-foot no volley zone and into the left service court. The ball must be served underhand, below the waist and in the air (not off of a bounce). At the end of each point, the server will switch over to the left side of the court, serving into the opponent’s right service court. Players will continue hitting the ball over the net until someone hits the ball out of play or is unable to reach and return a ball that lands in fair play.

Only the serving team is able to score points. The first team to 11 points wins, but they must win by at least two points. For example, if both teams are at 10 points, the winning side must get to 12 points while the opposing team is still at 10 points. For longer matches, the first to 21 points (and ahead by at least two points) is the winner.

While doubles pickleball is the most popular, singles play is also common.