Pickleball is gaining popularity among urban working professionals in India, with more people taking up the sport for recreation, fitness and social interaction. While the game is relatively easy to learn, beginners can find some of its rules and court terminology confusing when they first step onto the court.

Industry expert Gauravjeet Singh, founder and CEO of Playo, said pickleball has particularly attracted working professionals aged 25 to 45 who have limited time but want to remain active. The sport’s smaller courts, relatively accessible learning curve and social nature have helped drive its popularity, while also encouraging people to explore other sports.

For beginners, one of the most important rules to understand is the two-bounce rule. After a serve, the ball must bounce once on each side before players can hit it out of the air. Another key term is the “kitchen”, the seven-foot Non-Volley Zone on either side of the net. Players can stand inside this area but cannot hit the ball out of the air while standing there.

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Beginners should also focus on control rather than trying to generate maximum power with every shot. A well-placed deep return can give players more time to move forward and prepare for the next exchange. Learning the basic “dink” shot is equally useful, as it involves playing a soft shot over the net that lands in or close to the kitchen and helps develop ball control.

Communication becomes particularly important during doubles games. Partners should decide who will cover the middle and communicate clearly when moving towards a shot. This can prevent both players from attempting to reach the same ball and leave other areas of the court uncovered.

New players do not need expensive equipment to begin playing pickleball. A comfortable paddle and suitable court shoes are generally enough to get started, while beginners can focus on learning the court, maintaining rallies and developing basic technique. Most importantly, players can improve by getting on the court regularly, treating their first few games as an opportunity to become comfortable with the sport and gradually develop their rhythm.

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