Learn to Play Pickleball

At The Pickle Bar, we believe anyone can fall in love with the game of pickleball—with the right guidance. Whether you're picking up a paddle for the first time or working toward tournament play, our progressive programs and experienced pros will help you build confidence, have fun, and improve your game.

We offer a variety of classes for all levels:

Pickleball 101 — Brand new to the game

Pickleball 102 — Build on the basics

Intermediate Clinic — Level up your game

Advanced Clinic — Sharpen your skill

Private Pickleball Lessons — One-on-one coaching

What is pickleball?

Pickleball is a fun and fast-paced game that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Here are some basic instructions for playing pickleball:

Equipment:

1. Pickleball Paddle: Similar to a large table tennis paddle but made of wood or composite materials.
2. Pickleball: A perforated plastic ball, similar to a wiffle ball but smaller.

Court Setup:

1. Court Dimensions: A pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long for doubles, and 20 feet by 22 feet for singles.
2. Court Lines: The court is marked with baselines, sidelines, and a non-volley zone (kitchen) that is 7 feet from the net.

Game Setup:

1. Serving: The game begins with an underhand serve. The server must stand behind the baseline and serve diagonally to the opponent's service court.
2. Double Bounce Rule: After the serve, each team must allow the ball to bounce once on their side before volleying (hitting the ball in the air).
3. Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen): Players cannot volley the ball while standing inside the non-volley zone unless the ball bounces there first.

Scoring:

1. Points: Points are scored only by the serving team (unless it's rally scoring)
2. Faults: A fault occurs if the ball is hit out of bounds, fails to clear the net, or if a player violates the double-bounce rule.

Serving:

1. Server Rotation: The server continues serving until they commit a fault, after which the serve passes to the opposing team.
2. Double Bounce Serve: The serve must also obey the double-bounce rule, bouncing once on the receiving side.

Winning:

1. Scoring System: Games are typically played to 11 points (win by 2).
2. Match: Matches are usually the best of three games.

Etiquette:

1. Calling the Score: The serving team should call out the score before each serve.
2. Sportsmanship: Pickleball is known for its friendly and inclusive nature, so good sportsmanship is encouraged.

What is a DUPR and how do I get one?

DUPR stands for Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating—a global system that tracks your skill level based on match results. Whether you're a beginner or tournament-ready, having a DUPR helps you find fair matchups and track your progress.  We also require it for many (not all!) programs here at The Pickle Bar.

Set up your account at DUPR.com

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Play in our monthly DUPR-rated sessions (first Sunday of every month) or any of our Round Robins and Leagues.

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We’ll report your scores to help build your rating