10 Rules Of Pickleball You Need To Know
Pickleball is an increasingly popular sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It’s a great way to get together with friends and family for friendly competition or to keep your body moving. As with any game, pickleball has its own set of rules that help players stay organized and remain competitive.
While learning all these rules may be confusing at first, as you gain experience on the court, you'll be a wiz at this awesome game in no time! Here are 10 pickleball rules that every player should know before they hit the court.
To help, we've broken them down into three sections:
Serving Rules
Gameplay Rules
Scoring Rules
Section I: Pickleball Serving Rules
#1 - Serving
When it comes to serving in pickleball, the rules are relatively straightforward. The server must stand behind the baseline and hit the ball diagonally into their opponent’s side of the court. The serve must be done with an underhand stroke and land within the square on the opponent's side of the net. If a player's serve lands inside the kitchen (or hits the kitchen line) or outside the square, then that player loses the serve.
The middle line, sideline, and baseline are all in play. But the line marking the non-volley zone is not.
#2 - Returning the Serve
When returning the serve, the player opposite the server must let the ball bounce once before striking it. They can return the ball anywhere as long as it crosses the net.
#3 - Each Player Gets to Serve - With One Exception
If the serving player (or team) scores a point, they continue serving until they lose a volley or hit the ball out of play. If you're playing doubles, each team member gets the opportunity to serve except to start the game.
The Exception: When first starting a match (the score is 0-0 and no one has served yet), the first team that serves has just one player serve before passing it on to the other team. This is designed to reduce the advantage of being the first-serving team.
Section II: Pickleball Gameplay Rules
#4 - The Pickleball Court and Dimensions
Pickleball is a game that requires specific dimensions to be played correctly. The standard size for a pickleball court is 20 x 44 feet, with the net being 34 inches in the center and 36 inches at the post. A seven-foot non-volley zone must also be marked off on each side of the net. Often, especially in public parks or rec areas, players may find modified tennis courts that have been outfitted with pickleball dimension lines and a portable net.
#5 - Two Bounce Rule
The two bounce rule is an important part of pickleball and helps ensure fair play throughout the game. This rule states that each team must let the ball bounce one time before hitting the ball. For example, on the return of serve, the returner must let the ball bounce before striking it. Then on the third shot, the player must let it bounce before they return it.
The reason for this rule is to prevent either team from spiking the ball immediately at the start of the rally. After the third shot, players no longer have to let it bounce and instead can volley the ball (as long as they aren't standing inside the kitchen).
#6 - The Kitchen or Non-Volley Zone
The non-volley zone (NVZ), also known as the kitchen, is the 7' x 20' rectangular box marked off on both sides of the net. Players are not allowed to stand inside this box and hit the ball unless the ball has bounced first, hence the "non-volley" portion of this zone's name. Another nuance of this rule is that if you hit the ball on a volley (out of the air before it bounces), and any part of your body lands inside the kitchen, then it's also a fault, even though you were standing outside the kitchen when contact is made.
Once the ball bounces, you can stand or land inside the kitchen to hit it.
#7 - Net Rules
There are no lets in pickleball. If the ball hits the net and lands in the proper play area on the serve or during play, it is considered in play. On the serve, the ball must still land in the opposite square from the server. During play, the ball may land anywhere except out of bounds to be considered playable.
Section III: Pickleball Scoring Rules
#8 - Scoring a Point
Only the serving team (or player) can score a point. If you're not the serving team and you win a rally, you don't get a point, but the serve changes hands.
#9 - Winning a Match
The first team to reach 11 points or more in pickleball is declared the winner. However, like in other racquet or paddle sports, a team must win by at least two points. For example, if the score is tied 10 to 10 and the serving team scores a point. They must score an additional point (making it 12 to 10) to win the match. Otherwise, the game continues until there is at least a two-point difference in the score.
#10 - Calling the Score
One of the most confusing parts that players have trouble getting used to when first starting out in pickleball is calling the score properly before each serve.
According to the USA Pickleball RuleBook, When you’re serving, you must state the score before each point.
In singles, you call out your score first and then your opponent's. For example, you might say, "Two, Four." Which signals that you have two points while your opponent has four points.
For doubles, on the other hand, you are required to announce not only your team's score and the other team's score but also whether you are the first or second server on your team. For example, you might say, "Two, Four, One." The first number is your team's score, two points. The second number is how many points your opponents have, four. And the final number is which server you are, the first server.
If you are the second server for that rally, you would say, "Two," as your third number.
It's a bit tricky, but let the more experienced players around you help you out, and you'll get it down in no time!
Conclusion
Understanding when you can volley or how to call out the score before each serve is essential information for playing this fun sport! With practice and patience, anyone can master the basics of pickleball in no time. So grab your paddle and get to those courts soon!
And be sure to check back at Pickleball University often for advice, tips, and strategies to improve your game!
