Learn to Play Pickleball

Pickleball is played with two or four players (singles or doubles) on a rectangular court divided by a net. The main goal is to score points by hitting the ball so your opponent cannot return it within the court boundaries.

Below, we break down the game rules, from the serve to the most common plays.

Game Setup

Players and Game Modes:

- In singles, two players compete against each other.
- In doubles, four players compete in teams of two.
- The rules remain the same in both formats, with slight differences in positioning.

Required Equipment:

- A pickleball paddle.
- A perforated plastic ball.
- A court with a net (you can improvise if an official court isn’t available).

Starting the Game:

- The first player or team to serve is decided randomly (e.g., by flipping a coin).

Serving Rules

The serve is essential for starting each point. Here are the key rules:

Serving Position:

- The server must stand behind the baseline, with at least one foot outside the court.
- The serve is always diagonal, from the right side of the court to the opposite service area.

How to Serve:

- The ball must be struck with an underhand motion, contacting the ball below the waist.
- The ball must clear the net and land within the opponent’s service area, between the non-volley zone (Kitchen) and the baseline.

Additional Serving Rules:

- The serve must be clean (the ball cannot touch the net).
- If the ball touches the net but lands in the correct area, it’s a let and can be replayed.
- Each player gets only one serve attempt, except in the case of a let.

Doubles Serving Rules:

- Both teammates get a chance to serve before the serve is passed to the opposing team (except in the first service turn of the game, where only one player serves).

The Two-Bounce Rule

This is one of the most important rules to maintain fairness in the game:

First Bounce:

- After the serve, the ball must bounce once on the receiver’s side before being returned.

Second Bounce:

- The ball must bounce once again on the serving team’s side before volleys (hitting the ball in the air) are allowed.

From the Third Hit Onward:

- Players can either volley the ball or let it bounce, depending on their strategy.

The Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen)

The non-volley zone is a key area that shapes pickleball strategy.

Location:

- It is a 7-foot (2.13-meter) area on both sides of the net, clearly marked on the court.

Main Rules:

- Players cannot volley (hit the ball in the air) while standing inside this zone.
- Players can enter the non-volley zone to hit a ball only after it has bounced, but must leave immediately afterward.
- If a player loses balance and steps into the non-volley zone after hitting a volley, it is a fault.

Purpose:

- The non-volley zone rule prevents players from dominating the game at the net, encouraging longer rallies and strategic play.

Scoring and How to Win

How Points Are Scored:

- Only the serving player or team can score points. If they lose the rally, they simply give up the serve to the opponent.
- A point is scored when the opposing team commits a fault, such as:
  - Hitting the ball out of bounds.
  - Hitting the ball into the net.
  - Volleying in the non-volley zone (Kitchen).

Game Length:

- Games are usually played to 11 points, and a player or team must win by at least 2 points (e.g., 11-9).
- In competitions, games may go up to 15 or 21 points, depending on the agreed rules.

Doubles Rules:

- Each player on a team gets a chance to serve before the serve is passed to the opponents.
- Players switch positions after every point won to alternate who serves and who receives.

Common In-Game Scenarios

✅ Ball hits the net but crosses correctly: The rally continues (except on a serve, where it’s a let).
✅ Ball lands on the line: It is in (court lines are part of the playing area).
❌ A player touches the net with their body or paddle: It’s a fault.
❌ A player hits the ball twice: It’s a fault.