Welcome! If you can hold a paddle and enjoy a good laugh, you can learn pickleball. The court is small, the scoring is simple, and rallies start feeling fun within minutes.

What You’ll Learn First

You’ll master three basics: a consistent serve, a deep return, and a soft dink at the non-volley zone (the “kitchen”). These three shots create longer rallies and give you time to breathe, smile, and reset.

Starter Gear (No Overthinking)

Bring court shoes with non-marking soles and a light to mid-weight paddle. Use an outdoor ball if you’re outside (fewer holes = heavier, handles wind) and an indoor ball if you’re inside (more holes = lighter, longer rallies). That’s it—you’re ready.

Court & Rules at a Glance

Serve underhand from behind the baseline, diagonally, and let the ball bounce once. The return must also bounce once—this two-bounce rule keeps points fair. After that, you can volley—just not while standing in the kitchen.

Your First 60 Minutes (Plug-and-Play)

Minutes 0–10: Warm up: 20 easy dinks forehand/backhand.
10–20: Serve to the big X (deep corner) ten times each side.
20–35: Returns deep to the center; call your targets out loud.
35–50: Kitchen rally: neutral height, aim middle, reset anything fast.
50–60: Short games to 7, win by 1. Announce score clearly before each serve.

Etiquette That Makes You Instantly Likeable

Say the score loudly before serving. Call balls fairly and replay close ones—beginners earn instant goodwill by keeping the vibe friendly. High-five often; apologies are optional but smiles aren’t.

Common Beginner Mistakes (and Fixes)

Hitting too hard near the net: Aim lower and softer; you’ll win more with patience.
Standing in no-man’s-land: Either at the baseline or up at the kitchen—pick one and move with your partner.
Serving short: Aim past the service line; long is usually still in.

Your Simple Progression Path

Week 1: Serve/return depth.
Week 2: Dink consistency and footwork to the kitchen.
Week 3: “Reset” a fast ball back to neutral.
Week 4: Learn when to speed up (high, attackable ball) vs. reset (low or rushed).

How CeCe Helps Beginners Feel Confident

Great first impressions depend on safe, consistent traction—especially at the kitchen. CeCe, Autopilot’s autonomous court-cleaning robot, runs scheduled sweep–scrub–vacuum passes so your first steps and stops feel secure and you can focus on the fun, not the floor.

‍