The Official Pickleball Rules in the UK

March 11, 2025 Dink Quest 9 min read

Pickleball rules in the UK follows the official international rules set by the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) and USA Pickleball (USAPA), ensuring consistency with the global game. However, there are a few UK-specific adaptations that players should be aware of. Due to the unpredictable British weather, many games are played indoors, often on badminton courts, requiring slight adjustments to court markings and ball selection.

Additionally, some UK clubs adopt alternative scoring formats in casual play, such as rally scoring or shorter games, to accommodate high player turnout. While the core rules remain the same—covering serving, the two-bounce rule, and the non-volley zone—understanding these small differences ensures a smooth experience when playing pickleball across the UK.

Pickleball Rules in the UK: The Court and Equipment

Court Dimensions: A standard pickleball court measures 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, suitable for both singles and doubles play. The court is divided into right and left service courts and features a 7-foot non-volley zone, commonly known as “the kitchen,” on each side of the net.

Net Specifications: The net is hung at 36 inches high at the side lines and 34 inches at the centre.

Equipment: Players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials and a perforated plastic ball, similar to a wiffle ball.

Starting the Game: The Serve

Serving Rules:

Underhand Serve: The serve must be executed with an underhand stroke, making contact with the ball below waist level (defined as the navel). The server’s arm should move in an upward arc, and the paddle head must be below the wrist at the point of contact.
Foot Placement: At least one foot must be behind the baseline during the serve, and neither foot may contact the baseline or court until after the ball is struck.
Service Direction: Serves are made diagonally crosscourt, landing within the confines of the opposite diagonal service court.
Service Attempt: Only one serve attempt is allowed per point, except in the event of a let (the ball touches the net but lands in the correct service court), in which case the serve is replayed.

The Two-Bounce Rule

To promote longer rallies and strategic play, pickleball employs the Two-Bounce Rule:

Serve and Return: The receiving team must let the serve bounce before returning it.
Third Shot: The serving team must also let the return bounce before playing it.

After these two bounces, the ball can be volleyed (hit before it bounces) or played off the bounce.

The Non-Volley Zone (The Kitchen)

The 7-foot area adjacent to the net on both sides is the Non-Volley Zone, affectionately known as “the kitchen.”

Rules:

No Volleying: Players cannot volley the ball while standing within this zone.
Faults: It’s a fault if a player volleys the ball and then steps into the Non-Volley Zone due to momentum, or if they are already in the zone when volleying.
Permissible Actions: Players may enter the Non-Volley Zone to play a ball that has bounced but must exit before volleying again.

Scoring

Pickleball uses a unique scoring system:

Points: Only the serving team can score points.
Game Length: Standard games are played to 11 points, and a team must win by 2 points. In some tournaments, games may be played to 15 or 21 points, still requiring a 2-point margin.
Calling the Score: In doubles, the server announces three numbers: their team’s score, the opposing team’s score, and the server number (either 1 or 2). For example, “3-2-1” indicates the serving team has 3 points, the opponents have 2, and the first server is serving.

Faults

A fault results in the end of the rally. Common faults include:

Serving Faults: Not serving diagonally, the serve landing out of bounds, or foot faults during the serve.
Volleying in the Non-Volley Zone: Volleying the ball while in the kitchen or stepping into it during a volley.
Ball Handling Errors: Hitting the ball out of bounds, into the net, or failing to clear the net.
Double Bounce: Allowing the ball to bounce more than once on your side before returning it.

Doubles Play: Serving Sequence

In doubles, both players on a team have the opportunity to serve before the serve passes to the opponents.

Sequence:

First Server: Starts serving from the right-hand court. If a point is scored, the server switches sides and serves from the left-hand court. This continues until the serving team commits a fault.
Second Server: After the first server faults, the second team member serves from their current position.
Side Out: After both teammates have served and committed faults, the serve passes to the opposing team.

Notably, at the start of each game, only one partner on the initial serving team serves before a side out occurs.

Singles Play

Singles play follows similar rules to doubles, with a few adjustments:

Serving Position: The server serves from the right-hand court when their score is even and from the left-hand court when their score is odd.
Scoring and Faults: The same scoring and fault rules apply as in doubles.

Etiquette and Sportsmanship

Pickleball is a game that thrives on cooperation and courtesy. Players are encouraged to:

Make Prompt and Honest Calls: Call lines and faults accurately and promptly.
Resolve Doubts in Favour of Opponents: If there’s uncertainty about a call, give the benefit of the doubt to the opponent.
Maintain a Positive Attitude: Keep the game enjoyable for all participants by displaying good sportsmanship.

In-depth understanding of the official rules and updates

it’s always a good idea to refer to the governing bodies of pickleball in the UK, such as Pickleball England and The International Federation of Pickleball (IFP). These organisations ensure that the rules align with international standards while also accommodating the growing community of players across the UK.

Rule Variations and UK-Specific Adaptations

While the official rules of pickleball are largely standardised worldwide, there are some minor variations in the UK, particularly in recreational and club play. Some of these include:

Match Formats in Club Play:
- Many UK clubs adopt round-robin or ladder-style formats to encourage participation.
- Shorter game formats (such as playing to 9 points instead of 11) might be used in casual settings to allow for more rotations.
Indoor Play Adjustments:
- Since the UK weather often forces pickleball indoors, many venues use slightly different balls (often softer, with a lower bounce) to accommodate the surface.
- The UK has a high number of indoor courts in leisure centres and sports halls, meaning adjustments to court markings or space constraints may be necessary.
Tournament-Specific Rules:
- Some UK tournaments may include modified scoring systems, such as rally scoring (where points are scored on every rally, not just on serve), to streamline play.
- The use of timeouts and coaching may vary slightly depending on the competition level.

Understanding Rule Updates

The official rules of pickleball are updated periodically to refine the game and address evolving styles of play. To stay up to date, players in the UK should regularly check:

Pickleball England’s website for UK-specific rulings and adjustments.
The USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) & International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) rulebooks, as these form the basis for most international pickleball rules.
Local club and tournament regulations, as individual events may adopt unique adaptations.

Final Thoughts on Pickleball Rules in the UK

Pickleball is an inclusive and exciting sport that is easy to learn but challenging to master. Whether you’re playing casually or preparing for competitive play, understanding the official rules will help you improve your game, avoid unnecessary faults, and have more fun on the court.

If you’re new to the sport, the best way to get started is to find a local pickleball club, grab a paddle, and start playing. The UK’s pickleball scene is growing rapidly, and there’s never been a better time to get involved!

For more information on where to play, tournament schedules, and rule updates, check out Pickleball England’s website or your nearest pickleball club. Happy playing! 🏓🎾