Never played pickleball? Here’s how your first visit to Pickl’N works

If you’ve been meaning to try pickleball and keep putting it off because you don’t know how any of it works, this is for you. You don’t need a membership, your own paddle, or a partner who already plays. Here’s exactly what to do, start to finish.

Before you come in

1. Make a free CourtReserve account. Pickl’N books everything through CourtReserve, on the website or the CourtReserve app for iPhone and Android. Create your account here.

2. Sign the waiver. Every player needs their own account and their own signed waiver, including friends you bring. When you book a private court, you add each friend’s profile to the reservation, so have them set up their accounts before the day you play.

3. Pick how you want to play. You’ve got two good options for a first time:

• Book a court for your group. Reserve hourly court time, no membership needed. This is the easy move if you’re coming with one to three friends.
• Join open play. Open play sessions are grouped by skill level, so you’ll be playing with people around your level. You don’t need to bring anyone. Find the schedule and sign up in CourtReserve.

Walk-ins are welcome too, but booking ahead means a court is waiting for you.

What to wear and bring

• Clean, non-marking court shoes. This one’s required. Outdoor shoes aren’t allowed on the courts, so bring a pair you only wear inside.
• Comfortable athletic clothes. Whatever you’d work out in.
• A paddle, or not. Paddles are free at the front desk. Play with ours first and buy one later if you get hooked. There’s a pro shop on site if you do.
• Water. You’ll move more than you think.

Parking is free, right outside the building at 2600 Kimco Drive.

The only rules you need for game one

Pickleball has a reputation for being easy to pick up, and it is. Most people are rallying within a few minutes. These five rules cover nearly everything in a beginner game:

1. Serve underhand and diagonal. Hit the serve below your waist, cross-court into the box opposite you. It has to clear the kitchen (more on that below).
2. Let it bounce twice first. The serve bounces, the return bounces, and after that you can hit the ball out of the air.
3. Stay out of the kitchen when you volley. The kitchen is the zone right next to the net. At Pickl’N it’s painted red, so it’s easy to spot. You can step in, but only to hit a ball that has bounced.
4. Only the serving team scores. Games usually go to 11, and you have to win by 2.
5. Call the score before you serve. In doubles it’s three numbers: your score, their score, then server 1 or 2. Everyone forgets this at first. Nobody minds.

Want more detail on each one? Read pickleball rules for your first game.

What the first hour actually feels like

The first few minutes are mostly figuring out how hard to hit (softer than you think). By the end of an hour you’ll be having real rallies. Pickleball is played mostly at the net in doubles, so it’s social. You’re close enough to talk, laugh at your misses and trade tips.

If you liked it, the next step is easy: book another court, try an open play session at your level, or look at memberships when you’re ready to play regularly. No pressure either way.

Hours and location

Pickl’N Pickleball Club has nine indoor courts at 2600 Kimco Dr, Lincoln, NE 68521. We’re open every day, 6am to midnight. Holiday hours can change, so check our social pages around the holidays.

Ready to try it? Make your free CourtReserve account, then book a court. See you on court.