Pickleball Rules

Essential Pickleball rules to know. Whether you’re a beginner or just looking to brush up on the rules, understanding the basics of pickleball is key to improving your game and playing by the book.

In this guide, we’ll cover the official rules of pickleball, from serving to scoring, faults, and doubles play.

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Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It is played on a smaller court, with a lower net, using a paddle and a perforated plastic ball (similar to a wiffle ball).

• Pickleball can be played in singles (1v1) or doubles (2v2).
• Players aim to hit the ball over the net and within the court boundaries.
• Points are scored when the opposing team commits a fault.
• The game is typically played to 11 points, but you must win by 2.

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A pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, which is the same size as a badminton court. The court is divided into:

• Baseline (back boundary line).
• Sidelines (left and right boundary lines).
• Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) or “The Kitchen” (the 7-foot area on both sides of the net).
• Service Courts (left and right halves of the court behind the kitchen).

• Paddles must follow official size and weight regulations, typically no longer than 17 inches.
• Pickleballs are made of plastic with holes and have a specific bounce and flight pattern. Indoor and outdoor balls differ slightly.

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• Underhand Only: The serve must be hit underhand, with the paddle contacting the ball below the waist.
• One Foot Behind the Baseline: The server must have at least one foot behind the baseline when serving.
• Diagonal Serve: The ball must be hit diagonally across the net to land in the opponent’s service court.
• No Bouncing: The ball must be hit out of the air—you cannot bounce it first.

A service fault occurs if:
The ball lands outside the correct service court.
The ball touches the net and does not land in the service box (not a legal let serve).
The server steps on or over the baseline while serving.

• In doubles, each team gets two serves (one per player).
• The first server on a team will serve until their team loses a rally, then the second player serves.
• If both players lose their serves, the opposing team takes over (this is called a side out).
• The first serving team of the game only gets one serve instead of two.

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One of the most unique rules in pickleball is the Double Bounce Rule (or Two-Bounce Rule).

What does this mean?

• When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce once before returning.
• The serving team must also let the return bounce once before hitting it.
• After this, both teams can hit volleys (hitting the ball before it bounces).

This rule ensures that neither team can rush the net too quickly and makes rallies fair and strategic.

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The Non-Volley Zone (NVZ), commonly known as “The Kitchen,” is a 7-foot area on both sides of the net. Special rules apply here:

Players cannot volley (hit the ball before it bounces) while standing in the kitchen.
If your momentum takes you into the kitchen after a volley, it’s a fault.
You can enter the kitchen to play a ball, but the ball must bounce first.

Why does this rule exist?

• It prevents players from dominating the net with constant smashes.
• It encourages strategic play using dinks and soft shots.

Pro Tip: Learn how to dink effectively—a key skill in high-level pickleball.

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• Points are scored only by the serving team.
• The serving team wins a point when the opposing team makes a fault.
• The first team to 11 points, win by 2, wins the game (though some tournaments play to 15 or 21).

• Pickleball uses a three-number scoring system in doubles.
• Example: 6-4-2
  • 6 = The serving team’s score.
  • 4 = The receiving team’s score.
  • 2 = The current server’s number (1st or 2nd server in the pair).

Pro Tip: If you’re unsure, always check with your partner before serving!

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• The ball is hit out of bounds.
• The ball doesn’t clear the net.
• A player volleys in the kitchen.
• The serve lands in the wrong service box.
• Double hitting (hitting the ball twice in one motion).

• If the receiving team faults, the serving team earns a point.
• If the serving team faults, they lose their serve to their partner or the opposing team.

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• Each team gets two serves per side-out.
• Players must rotate positions after scoring a point.
• Communication is key—work with your partner to cover the court.

• Scoring and serving rules are the same, but there is only one server per side-out.
• Players serve from the right if their score is even and from the left if their score is odd.

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Understanding pickleball rules will help you play more confidently, avoid unnecessary faults, and enjoy the game to its fullest. Whether you’re playing for fun or gearing up for competitive matches, these rules ensure fair and strategic gameplay.

Ready to put your knowledge into action? Grab your paddle, hit the court, and start mastering pickleball today!

Looking for the best pickleball paddles and gear? Check out our online store at Pickleball Mastered!

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