You signed up for your first event. Now the questions start.
"What do I bring?" "What do I wear?" "Will I stand out as a total beginner?"
Relax. Read this once and your first morning will be easy.
If you are still fuzzy on the sport itself, start with what pickleball actually is.
The packing list
Essential:
- Indoor shoes: mandatory in Japanese gymnasiums, outdoor shoes are not allowed on the floor. Non-marking soles are the rule
- A drink: you will sweat more than you expect
- A towel
Nice to have:
- A change of clothes
- A small bag that fits courtside
What about a paddle? You can usually borrow one at beginner sessions. Event pages and group descriptions often say whether rentals are available. If it is not written anywhere, just ask the organizer when you sign up.
What to wear
Anything you can move in. A T-shirt and shorts or a track suit is perfect. Nobody expects tennis wear.
How a typical session flows
- Arrive a little early: give yourself ten minutes to find the gym and check in
- Greet the organizer: say it is your first time and they will walk you through the rules. Every community here is used to welcoming first-timers
- Warm-up and basics: grip, serve, and rallying
- Games: pickleball is mostly doubles, and you will likely join real games on day one. That is the beauty of this sport
- Cleanup: in gymnasiums, everyone helps take down nets and mop the floor. Pitching in is the fastest way to fit in
Curious why so much of this happens in gyms? Our gymnasium guide explains. For the wider cultural side, see Japanese pickleball court etiquette.
Things beginners worry about (and should not)
- Nobody minds short rallies. Almost everyone around you started recently too. Pickleball is new in Japan, so there is no wall of intimidating veterans
- Ask questions on the spot. Details like the kitchen rule sink in fastest mid-game
- Use the skill levels. Pikuru events can show a level: Competitive, Advanced, Intermediate, or Beginner. Start with Beginner-friendly ones
The next step
If you enjoy your first session, the next move is joining a group. On Pikuru you can find local circles and clubs and request to join. Regular teammates are also the fastest way to improve, and our guide to finding teammates covers how.
Find an event near you with Pikuru event search. The app is on the App Store and Google Play.
Let's Pikuru!
