How to Play Pickleball: Benefits & Tips

If you’ve ever Googled how to play pickleball for beginners or wondered why pickleball is so popular in Malaysia, you’re in the right place. This guide provides a clear overview for those learning how to play pickleball for beginners. 

How to Play Pickleball?

Pickleball uses a paddle and a wiffle-like ball. It borrows bits from tennis and ping-pong but follows its own rulebook.

1. The Serve

The right-side player always starts the rally with an underhand serve below the waist. It must go diagonally and clear the kitchen line. No big power moves here because it’s all about control.

2. Two-Bounce Rule

Both teams must let the ball bounce once on each side before volleying. This rule keeps one side from zipping to the net and running away with points. Fair’s fair, right?

3. Faults End the Point

A fault happens if the ball:
1. Lands out of bounds
2. Bounces twice before returning
3. Hits the net and falls on your side
4. Is volleyed while you're in or touching the kitchen

Basically, if you mess up, the point’s over.

4. Scoring Only on Serve

You only earn points when you're serving. Lose the rally, and the serve shifts within your team once, then "sides out" to the other team. It sounds confusing at first, but once you play, you’ll get it.

5. Call the Score Out Loud

When you hear players call out something like “3–3–2,” it’s how pickleball scoring works. Each number has a meaning:
1. The first number is your team’s score. In this case, your team has 3 points.
2. The second number is your opponent’s score, also 3 here.
3. The third number tells you which player on your team is serving.

6. Win by Two

You play to 11, but if it’s tied at 10-10, you keep going until someone leads by two. Expect nail-biters like 15-13. 

Why Pickleball Is So Popular in Malaysia

Pickleball isn’t just a global trend, it’s especially hot in Malaysia. The Malaysian Pickleball Association has standardized play, organized tournaments, and promoted platforms like DUPR. By mid-2025, Malaysia ranked #3 in the world for DUPR user sign-ups, showing real community momentum.

Here’s why pickleball is so popular in Malaysia:

• It’s low intensity. No high jumps or crazy serves means anybody can play
• The skill floor is gentle. Newbies can actually hit back instead of chasing the ball
• There's a bit of prestige

Is Pickleball Harder Than Tennis?

Nope. Pickleball is easier to learn and less exhausting. The court is small, the ball is slower, and underhand serves are a lot less dramatic than those cannon serves in tennis. It’s about timing and touch, not stamina or power. So if tennis scares you, this is your safe start. Plus, the pickleball benefits are quite impressive.

Pickleball Benefits

Sure, it’s fun. But pickleball benefits go way beyond that. And let’s be real: who doesn’t want a workout that doesn’t feel like punishment?

1. Easy on the joints

Pickleball is low-intensity and doesn’t demand hard sprints. That makes it ideal for older players or those managing arthritis. No need to ice your knees for days after playing.

2. Super beginner-friendly

Unlike tennis or badminton, where you spend more time running after the ball than playing. Pickleball benefits let beginners keep the ball in motion from the start.

3. Full-body engagement

Every game builds balance and coordination. You’ll be surprised how much you move without even noticing.

4. Social by design

It’s usually doubled, so you bond while hustling for that point. Basically, it’s exercise disguised as hanging out.

These pickleball benefits are why many healthcare pros endorse the sport as a smart fitness choice with low risk and high return.

Is Pickleball Safe for People With Arthritis?

Yes. With some common-sense caution, pickleball benefits even helpful option for people living with arthritis. Research on pickleball-related injuries has shown that while some older players report joint pain, most injuries are actually soft-tissue strains such as pulled muscles. That means the game itself doesn’t necessarily trigger flare-ups, and when played wisely, it can remain manageable for arthritis patients.

In addition to regular physical activity like pickleball, incorporating omega‑3-rich foods or supplements can help reduce inflammation and support joint health for people with arthritis.

Pickleball Warm-Up

Pickleball might not seem intense compared to other sports, but stepping straight onto the court cold totally ran for sore joints. A short warm-up routine can loosen muscles and lower your risk of injury.

Here are a few warm-up moves that take less than 10 minutes:

• Mini squats to wake up your knees and get blood flowing to the lower body.
• Calf raises to prepare your ankles and lower legs for side-to-side movement.
• Hip flexion stretches to improve flexibility around the hips, tendons, and ligaments.
• Light cardio like jogging in place or a set of jumping jacks to raise your heart rate.
• Arm circles and shoulder rolls to loosen tight shoulders before serving or volleying.
• Leg swings like stand by a wall or fence for balance and swing each leg forward and back.

Five to ten minutes of these movements is enough to grab your total pickleball benefits. Sounds simple? But skipping this step can mean the difference between finishing your game strong and limping off the court early.

The Takeaway

Pickleball is more than a recreational activity; it is a versatile sport that combines physical exercise, social engagement, and accessibility for players of all ages and skill levels. The pickleball benefits, including low-impact movement, improved coordination, and opportunities for community interaction, make it an excellent choice for maintaining health and wellness.