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Bouger Longtemps Starting and Playing Pickleball After 55, Safely

First Pickleball Session: A Checklist to Review

Online since Oct 21, 2026 Last revised Oct 21, 2026 4 min read

Signed: the Bouger Longtemps editorial team. The facts were checked against their sources on October 19, 2026. This content doesn’t replace a consultation: when in doubt, ask a health professional.

An open sports bag with a paddle and perforated balls on a bench at the edge of a court.
Before Playing. Before a first game, a few points are enough: serving below the hip and diagonally, respecting the bounce after the serve, and not volleying in the zone near the net. Knowing the scoring avoids misunderstandings with other players. A short review of these rules beats a long theoretical education.

This text, titled "Votre première séance de pickleball : la liste à passer en revue," is meant for careful, step-by-step reading. A player who works through it will arrive at a first game knowing the essential rules.

Using the Checklist Closely

One basic rule comes first: points are counted 1 by 1, and only the server (or the serving team) can score. Games are usually played to 11 or 15 points, with a margin of at least 2 points.

The foundation is this: the FFT sets up three levels of competitive play: 3.0 (beginner competitors), 4.0 (intermediate) and 5.0 (advanced).

Questions to Ask Closely

The criteria used for comparison are in the following list:

  • Points accumulate in singles, doubles (by gender) and mixed doubles, and the FFT publishes its ranking every quarter (November, February, May, August).
  • Pickleball was born in the United States in 1965 and appeared in France in 2015. It blends elements of tennis, padel, badminton and table tennis.

As an example of how this works in practice, this dedicated site gives a quick look with "Balles de pickleball extérieur — Packs de 3 ou 6."

Steps to Follow in Order

The next step is this: the serve is made below the hip, diagonally, and the ball must land in the opposite service area. The server stands behind the baseline. It's worth making sure this is clear before moving on to the next step.

Terms to Define First

First, a look at the terms that come up again and again through the pages:

Falls

Falls are common among older adults. They can lead to injuries, and Santé publique France urges prevention.

Here's a case that clarifies the term: Santé publique France offers an information program on fall prevention for the general public.

The entry Falls goes further on this specific point.

What to Remember Before Playing

A broader trend stands out: the FFT counts more than 700 sanctioned pickleball tournaments across the country, with competitions at every level.

One figure is worth citing: the net is 6.70 m wide, and its height is 86 cm at the center and 91 cm at the posts.

An example makes this clearer: the FFT organizes league championships, the French Championships, the Summer Open de France (more than 300 competitors) and a Winter Open in Marcq-en-Barœul.

Which Rules Are Trickiest at First?

One order of magnitude to keep in mind: a pickleball court measures 6.10 m wide by 13.41 m long, whatever the format (singles or doubles).

One formal requirement reads as follows: to play in an FFT-sanctioned tournament, the event must be run by an affiliated club, an authorized body, a league or a committee, and be supervised at all times by a JAT1, JAT2 or JAT3 referee.

What Should Stick

The following list gathers what's worth remembering before going further.

  • The net is 6.70 m wide.
  • The FFT sets up three levels of competitive play.

Before My First Pickleball Game

Rule points to check before playing.

  • Know how to serve below the hip, diagonally — Under FFT rules, there's a single serve, made below the hip and diagonally.
  • Respect the bounce after the serve — The ball must bounce once on each side before it can be volleyed.
  • Spot the no-volley zone near the net — Volleying isn't allowed there, but a player can step in to hit a ball that has bounced.
  • Understand the scoring — Only the serving team scores, and a win takes a two-point margin.
  • Check the paddle and ball — The ball is perforated hard plastic, and paddle dimensions are regulated.
Source : Les règles du pickleball.

Questions and answers

Can Falls Be Prevented?

Yes, in part, through information, physical activity and adapting the environment. See the Santé publique France program.

Wrapping Up

The path covered has run from using the checklist closely, the questions to ask closely, the steps to follow in order and the terms to define first, in a deliberately coherent sequence. It helps to test these lines against personal questions, then discuss them with a relative or friend.

On the same topic

Sources

This site is for information only and doesn't replace a doctor's advice. In case of chronic illness, pain or doubt, a health professional should be consulted before returning to sports.

The rules, licenses and figures of the Fédération française de tennis have been changing since it took over pickleball. They should be checked with the federation or a local club.