Pickleball Rules

Pickleball is a sport renowned for its inclusive and convivial atmosphere, making it the perfect activity for newcomers eager to pick up a paddle. The community surrounding the game is typically very approachable, filled with individuals who remember their own first encounters with the game and are often keen to pass on their knowledge. You'll find that many players are not only ready but also delighted to introduce novices to the basics of the game, helping them understand the rules and nuances of play.

There's absolutely no necessity to master the game before stepping onto the court. The best learning comes through experience, and the pickleball community embodies this philosophy. By letting others know that you're new to the sport, you invite the naturally helpful veterans to guide you, ensuring your initial experiences are both educational and enjoyable. It also helps to set expectations, so those seeking a more competitive game can do so, while those who enjoy nurturing new talent can join you. This transparent communication ensures that everyone, regardless of their skill level, can participate in the way that brings them the most joy.

So, grab your paddle with confidence and join the ever-growing family of pickleball enthusiasts. Whether it's your first serve or your hundredth volley, you're stepping into a game that is as much about community as it is about the sport itself. Welcome to pickleball — where every game is an opportunity to learn, play, and make new friends.

Basic Pickleball Rules

1. The Serve:

   • Each point begins with an underhand serve.
   • Serve the ball diagonally across the court to the opponent's service area.
   • The server continues to serve until they commit a fault (like missing the serve or serving out of bounds).

2. Double Bounce Rule:

   • Each side must let the ball bounce once before volleys are allowed. This means the receiving team must let the serve bounce, and the serving team must let the return bounce before playing the ball out of the air.

3. Scoring:

   • Games are typically played to 11 points (sometimes 9, 15, or 21) and you must win by 2 points.
   • Points can only be scored by the serving side when the opponent fails to return the ball or hits it out of bounds.

4. Serving Sequence:

   • In doubles, each team has two serves (one for each team member) before the serve passes to the opposing team.
   • The first serve of each side is always made from the right-hand court.
   • If the serving team scores, the server moves to the opposite side and serves to the opposite diagonal area of the court.

5. Non-Volley Zone (also known as "The Kitchen"):

   • A seven-foot zone extends from the net; players are not allowed to hit the ball out of the air while standing in this zone.

6. Volleys:

   • To volley (hit the ball out of the air without letting it bounce), the player must have both feet behind the non-volley zone line.

7. Faults:

   • A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation, like hitting the ball out of bounds or into the net, stepping into the non-volley zone and volleying the ball, or not clearing the net.

8. Line Calls:

   • Balls landing on any part of the court lines are considered in, except for the serve, which must not touch the non-volley zone line.

For those who are interested in delving deeper into the sport and familiarizing themselves with the comprehensive set of guidelines, you can download the full official rules of pickleball directly from the USA Pickleball Association. Whether you're looking to clarify a specific rule, understand the intricacies of scoring, or just want to have a detailed guide on hand, you can find everything you need by visiting USA Pickleball's Official Rules page. This resource is invaluable for anyone looking to get a thorough grasp of the game, from casual players to those aspiring to compete more seriously.