Pickleball Rules

Welcome to the world of pickleball. Looking for a refresher on pickleball rules? Or an introduction to how the game works? We’ve got you. Here’s everything you need to know about the fastest-growing sport. You’ll be out on the court serving, volleying, and winning in no time.

Here’s a rundown of basic pickleball rules. 

Serving

The game starts with one team serving first. The team member on the right-hand side serves with an underhand or drop-serve hit of the pickleball with a foot behind the backline, aiming for the opposite corner. 

Two Bounce Rule

The two-bounce rule means the ball must bounce once on each side after the serve before it can be hit from the air, which is called a volley. The shot from the server and the returner must bounce before being hit to start the game, and after that, the players can hit from a bounce or from the air. 

Volleying

There’s a Non-Volley-Zone on the court. The marked area closest to the net is called the kitchen, and the rule is that players can’t volley while standing in the kitchen. Players may reach over the line into the kitchen and hit balls that bounce in the kitchen, but they may not step into the kitchen.

Faults

Play goes on until one of the players makes a fault. Here are some of the potential ways to make a fault: 

• Not complying with the double bounce rule
• Volleying in the kitchen
• Hitting the ball out of bounds
• Hitting the ball into the net 
• Serving the ball into the kitchen
• Failing to hit the ball

The team that’s not serving, or the team that’s on the side where the ball bounces, is the team that calls the out ball. 

Scoring

The server should state the score before serving every time. The format is the score of the serving team first, then the score of the receiving team, and then the service turn. For example, the score you would call at the beginning of every doubles match is 0-0-2.

Only the serving team can score. If they win the rally, they get a point, switch sides with each other, and the original server serves again. If the serving team doesn’t win the rally, they stay in the same positions, and the other player serves. The only exception to the other player serving after losing a rally is on the first exchange of every game. That’s why every game begins with the service turn at 2 (0-0-2). 

If you’re playing singles, the format is just the first two numbers without the service turn. 

Now for the most important question—how do you win the game? The first team to 11 points (or another agreed–upon number), who is ahead by 2 points, wins the game. 

Pickleball Rules For Doubles vs Singles

Are the pickleball rules for singles the same as those for doubles? Yes, with a few exceptions. For singles and doubles, you’ll play on the same size of court with the same rules, but with singles you’ll serve on the side of the court based on your score, and your score won’t include service turns.

Come Pickle at the Picklr.

You’re ready to play. And don’t worry if you didn’t catch it all–we offer free lessons for our beginners with experts ready to answer your questions about pickleball rules. And for our advanced players, we have a pro tips series to level up your game. 

Try out your skills at our premier indoor pickleball courts. For one price, you get unlimited play, free Picklr leagues and tournaments, 4 clinics per month, 4 unique guests per month, nationwide access, free court reservations, and more.

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