Pickleball Rules

Pickleball Rules for Beginners

If you’re new to pickleball and eager to learn the basics, you’ve come to the right place! This fast-growing sport is easy to pick up and offers a great way to stay active while having fun. Here’s a guide to get you started with the basic rules of pickleball.

What is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It can be played both indoors and outdoors on a badminton-sized court with a slightly modified tennis net. The game is played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes, and it can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.

Basic Rules of Pickleball

1. The Serve

Underhand Serve: The ball must be served underhand, and the paddle must make contact with the ball below the waist.
Diagonal Serve: The serve is made diagonally crosscourt and must land within the confines of the opposite diagonal court.
One Attempt: Only one serve attempt is allowed, except in the case of a let (the ball touches the net and lands in the correct service court).

2. Double Bounce Rule

The ball must bounce once on each side of the net before players are allowed to volley (hit the ball in the air before it bounces). This means the receiving team must let the serve bounce, and the serving team must let the return of serve bounce before playing the ball.

3. Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen)

The non-volley zone extends 7 feet from both sides of the net. Players cannot volley the ball while standing inside this zone.
You can enter the non-volley zone to play a ball that has bounced but must exit before volleying again.

4. Scoring

Points can only be scored by the serving team.
Games are typically played to 11 points, and a team must win by 2 points.
The server continues to serve, alternating service courts, until a fault is made by the serving team.

5. Faults

A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation. Faults include:

Hitting the ball out of bounds.
Not clearing the net.
Stepping into the non-volley zone and volleying the ball.
Volleying the ball before it has bounced once on each side.

6. Doubles Play

In doubles, each team has two players. The serving team alternates serves between partners each time they win a point. When the first server loses the serve, the second partner serves until they lose a point. When both partners lose their serve, the serve goes to the opposing team.

Tips for Beginners

Practice Serving: A good serve can give you an advantage. Practice getting your serve into the correct service box consistently.
Stay Out of the Kitchen: Be mindful of the non-volley zone. It’s easy to forget and step in when you’re close to the net.
Communicate with Your Partner: In doubles, clear communication with your partner can prevent collisions and missed shots.
Have Fun: Remember, pickleball is a game meant to be enjoyed. Don’t get too caught up in winning and losing.

Pickleball is a fantastic sport that’s easy to learn and offers endless fun. With these basic rules and tips, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the game. For more beginner-friendly guides on various topics, visit For Beginners.

Now that you know the basics, grab a paddle, find a court, and start playing! Happy pickleballing!