Pickleball 101

Pickleball Court Dimensions and Layout Explained
Pickleball court dimensions at a glance A regulation pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long. That playing area stays the same for both singles and doubles, which makes the layout easier to learn for new players. If you are setting up a casual home court or marking temporary lines, it also helps to think beyond the painted court itself. A larger playable area gives players more room to move safely and return deep shots. What each line on the court means The baselines run parallel to the... Read more...
What USAPA Approved Means for Pickleball Paddles
What does USAPA approved mean? If a pickleball paddle is listed as USAPA approved, it means the paddle is approved for sanctioned tournament play under USA Pickleball equipment standards. In practice, that tells players the paddle meets the organization’s current requirements for things like size, surface, and overall construction. For many recreational players, this matters because buying an approved paddle reduces the chance that you will need to replace it later if you decide to join league, ladder, or tournament play. USAPA vs. USA Pickleball You will still see many... Read more...
How to Choose a Pickleball Paddle Based on Playing Style
Find out how to choose a paddle based on whether you play for power, control, spin, speed, resets, or all-around balance. Read more...
Fiberglass vs Carbon Pickleball Paddles: What Is the Difference?
Compare fiberglass and carbon pickleball paddle faces to understand the differences in feel, power, spin, and control. Read more...
Pickleball Core Materials Explained: PP, Nomex, EVA, and More
A practical guide to pickleball core materials, including polypropylene honeycomb, Nomex, EVA, and other common paddle core options. Read more...
How Pickleball Paddle Weight Affects Control, Speed, and Power
Understand how paddle weight changes control, speed, hand battles, and power so you can choose the right setup for your level and style. Read more...
Pickleball Paddle Shapes Explained: Standard, Elongated, Hybrid, and Wide-Body
Learn the differences between standard, elongated, hybrid, and wide-body pickleball paddle shapes and how to choose the right one for your game. Read more...
Pickleball Doubles Positioning Explained
A simple guide to where you and your partner should stand in doubles pickleball and how to move together effectively. Read more...
Pickleball Serving Rules for Beginners
Learn the basic pickleball serving rules, including where to stand, where to hit the ball, and the most common serving faults. Read more...
What Is the Kitchen in Pickleball?
A beginner-friendly explanation of the kitchen, also called the non-volley zone, and how it affects your game. Read more...
Pickleball In or Out Rules: When Is the Ball In or Out?
Pickleball In or Out Rules: When Is the Ball In or Out?
A simple guide to understanding when a pickleball is in or out, including the important serve and kitchen line exception. Read more...
Pickleball Scoring Explained: From 0-0-2 to Rally Scoring
Pickleball Scoring Explained: From 0-0-2 to Rally Scoring
How Does Pickleball Scoring Work? (The Secret Code Explained) If you’ve ever stood on a pickleball court and heard someone shout "4-2-1" or "7-5-2" and wondered if they were reciting... Read more...
What is Pickleball and Why is it Called That?
What is Pickleball and Why is it Called That?
What is Pickleball and Why is it Called That? If it feels like pickleball suddenly appeared out of nowhere to take over every tennis court in the neighborhood, you aren’t... Read more...
The rules: ultimate pickleball 101
The rules: ultimate pickleball 101
New to the game? Don’t let the rules intimidate you. Pickleball is famous for being easy to learn but hard to master. Here is everything you need to know to... Read more...
Mastering the Kitchen: 3 Tips to Dominate the Non-Volley Zone
Mastering the Kitchen: 3 Tips to Dominate the Non-Volley Zone
If you’ve played even one game of pickleball, you’ve heard the term. "Stay out of the Kitchen!" But the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) isn't just a place where you can’t hit... Read more...