How to Start Playing Pickleball if You’ve Never Played a Sport Before
- Performance Pickleball
- May 3
- 3 min read
New to sports? No worries! Pickleball is the easiest, most welcoming game you’ll ever start
Why Pickleball is Beginner-Friendly
Pickleball is known as the sport for everyone, and for good reason. Here’s why even total beginners love it:
Smaller court = less running. Unlike tennis, the court is compact, so you’re not sprinting to chase balls.
Light paddle, low-bounce ball. The equipment is simple and easy to handle, even if you’ve never played a racket sport before.
Quick to learn, hard to master. You’ll get the basics down in one session—but there’s always room to improve.
Social and supportive. Most pickleball communities are full of friendly, helpful players who remember what it’s like to be new.
If you can move your feet, swing a paddle, and laugh a little, you can play pickleball.
First Gear You’ll Need
You don’t need much to get started but having the right beginner-friendly gear makes it more enjoyable from day one.
Pickleball Paddle – Start with a lightweight composite or graphite paddle. Look for something with a comfortable grip and a balanced weight (usually around 7.5–8.2 oz).
Our Performance Pickleball Paddles are perfect for entry-level beginners and are priced affordably to accommodate players who may not want to commit intensely to the sport (yet!).
Pickleballs – Pickleballs come in two types: indoor (lighter, more holes) and outdoor (heavier, fewer holes). Start with outdoor balls unless you're playing inside a gym.
Court Shoes – Skip the running shoes: court shoes (like those for tennis or volleyball) offer the lateral support you’ll need for side-to-side movement.
Tip: Check out one of our blogs on what court shoes are the best for your playing style!
Optional Essentials – A water bottle, small towel, athletic clothes you can move in
Easy Drills to Build Confidence
If you’re brand new, these beginner drills will help you get a feel for the game before jumping into a match.
Wall Rally
Practice hitting the ball gently against a wall using your paddle. Try to keep it under control and aim for consistency over power.
Drop + Hit Drill
Drop the ball in front of you and try to tap it softly over the net (or imaginary line). Focus on control and accuracy.
Kitchen Line Practice
Stand at the non-volley zone (aka “the kitchen”) and practice short dinks with a partner or against a wall. This improves touch and reflexes.
Footwork Shadowing
Without a ball, practice side-to-side shuffling along the baseline and kitchen line. This helps your body get used to court movement.
Finding A Community
Start by joining a class at your local pickleball club – be it beginner, intermediate or advanced, pickleball is known to be a social game and this applies to its players as well! Most players would be open to playing a few games together and if you visit the court regularly enough, you will likely see the same players on rotation; eventually forming the tight-knit community you’re looking for!
At Performance Pickleball, we pride ourselves on the thriving community here. Home to players of all skill levels, ages and personalities, we have created a warm and welcoming space for people to share the love of pickleball with fellow enthusiasts!
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