What to Bring to Pickleball Courts

No one wants to show up empty-handed to the courts, but what do you bring when you’re prepping for a pickleball match? Our goal with this article is to answer this question and help make pickleball an easily accessible game for all!  We all just want to get out and play and we are here to give you all the information to do that... TO GET OUT AND PLAY PICKLEBALL!  

The Pickleball Basics

Let’s start with the basics. What do I need to get out and play pickleball? To play pickleball you first need a group of friends or family members and paddles. If you are just starting out, you won’t need the highest-end pickleball paddle but you will need 4 paddles, one for each player on the court! Check out our Pickleball Paddle Deals - this will offer  great savings on one or multiple pickleball paddles! 

Next, you will need one crucial piece of equipment, the pickleball. Head to your local sporting goods store to pick up a ball set. 

The last thing to consider is where you plan to actually play pickleball. Honestly, pickleball can be played almost anywhere! Check out our Breaking Down the Pickleball Court blog post to set up your own pickleball court wherever you are! Most cities and towns will also offer a pickleball court that is open to the public and free! 

Head to the nearest court with your friends and family, a pickleball paddle that you picked up at JustPaddles and you’re good to go!  

The Pickleball Look

Now that you have the basics - a paddle, players, and a ball - advancing to the next tier of competition often brings new needs. Taking on a new foe at the local pickleball courts can be intimidating but do you need anything special? Most pickleball players are very open and willing to take on new competition. A simple “mind if I hop in a game next” and I am sure you will receive open arms to play. As long as you understand the rules of the game and a small amount of pickleball strategy you will fit right in! When moving to more serious pickleball games, you often start to move more and more frequently on the court. Because of this, when moving up to the next level of play make sure you have a court shoe that you are comfortable with. There is nothing worse than a pickleball game ruined by injury. Be on the lookout for pickleball’s next great shoe! 

Having activewear that is comfortable is also key. Although pickleball might be a leisure sport for some, as the competition gets going, players will often be sweating profusely. Be sure to add a sweatband or headband to keep the sweat off your face and ensure you can keep a tight grip on your pickleball paddle. 

In order to “look the part,” most serious pickleball players show their creativity with their bag. A pickleball bag is a great item if you are looking for a complete setup. It will carry everything you need to play and more - paddles, shoes, pickleball, sunglasses, and whatever else you may need to make your trip to the courts a success! 

Ultimately, the two most important things to bring are your pickleball paddle and your game face! Don’t get discouraged if you lose a game here and there as the more you play, the better you become! 

Where to Play

If you’re looking for a one-stop-shop, full pickleball experience, check out Chicken N’ Pickle! Pickleball paddles for use, courts to rent, drinks, and great food sound like a recipe for fun and they can all be found at Chicken N’ Pickle! For those just getting into pickleball, pickleball addicts, and someone just looking for a night out with great drinks and food, . our friends at Chicken N’ Pickle have created pickleball fun for everyone.It has been a pickleball staple in Kansas City and has now expanded to San Antonio, Wichita, Oklahoma City, and soon-to-be Grand Prairie. Check out Chicken N’ Pickle for the full, family-friendly pickleball experience.  

Looking for a place to play near you? Check out the PicklePlay app and find courts, players, events, and clubs today! PicklePlay will give you access to courts and players anywhere in the United States and gives you the ability to take your game to the next level!