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Getting Started with Pickleball in Bengaluru

Pickleball blends elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, and it is played on a court roughly the size of a doubles badminton court. That compact footprint is a big part of why the sport suits a city like Bengaluru, where space is at a premium and many players already have a background in badminton or tennis. Most newcomers can rally comfortably within their first session, which makes it an easy game to bring friends, family or colleagues into.

Your first few sessions

The rules are simple to pick up, but a few basics make the first outing smoother:

• Serve underhand and diagonally. The serve must be hit below waist height and land in the opposite service box, clear of the non-volley zone.
• Respect the kitchen. The seven-foot non-volley zone next to the net is where you cannot hit the ball out of the air. Learning when to step in and out of it is one of the first real skills you develop.
• Let it bounce twice. After the serve, the return must bounce, and the serving side's next shot must bounce too, before volleys are allowed.
• Score only on your serve. In traditional doubles scoring, points are won only by the serving team, and the score is called as three numbers.

Playing in local conditions

Bengaluru's climate is milder than much of India, but afternoons can still be warm and the monsoon months bring frequent showers. Early mornings and evenings tend to be the most comfortable times for outdoor play, and covered or indoor courts are worth knowing about for the rainy season. Carry water, wear court shoes with good lateral support rather than running shoes, and allow a few minutes to warm up your shoulders and knees before competitive games.

To find somewhere to play, browse our courts page. If you are unsure what equipment to start with, the paddle guide explains weight, grip size and surface options. Once you feel settled, regular league play is a good way to measure progress and meet players at a similar level.