A: Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It’s played on a court with a net, using a perforated plastic ball and solid paddles.

A: The game is played to 11 points (or sometimes 15 or 21 in tournament play) and requires a win by at least 2 points. Players serve diagonally from behind the baseline, and the ball must bounce once on each side before players can volley it. There’s a non-volley zone (the "kitchen") near the net where players cannot hit the ball before it bounces.

A: A pickleball court is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, the same dimensions for both singles and doubles play. This is smaller than a tennis court, which makes the game faster-paced and easier to pick up.

A: The game can be played in singles or doubles. Players use paddles to hit the ball over the net, aiming to score points by making the ball land in the opponent’s court. The rules are somewhat similar to tennis, but the court is smaller, and the ball is served underhand.

A: You need a paddle, a pickleball, and appropriate footwear. The paddles are solid and usually made of composite materials, and the pickleball is similar to a wiffle ball. Courts are typically available at community centers or sports complexes.

A: The kitchen, or non-volley zone, is a 7-foot area on either side of the net. Players cannot hit the ball while standing in this zone unless the ball has already bounced there.