Pickleball rules: A QUICK OVERVIEW OF PICKLEBALL RULES
THE SERVE UNDERHAND SERVE The serve must be an underhand stroke, with the paddle contact below the waist and moving in an upward arc, or a “drop serve”. DIAGONAL CROSSCOURT The ball must be served diagonally to the opponent’s service court, landing beyond the non-volley zone. ONE SERVE ATTEMPT Only one serve attempt is allowed, except for a “let” where the serve hits the net but still lands in the correct area.
THE NON-VOLLEY ZONE (THE KITCHEN) NO VOLLEYING Players are prohibited from hitting the ball in the air (volleying) while in or touching the non-volley zone line. GROUNDSTROKES ARE ALLOWED You can hit the ball after it bounces within the kitchen. FAULTS FOR VIOLATIONS Stepping into the kitchen to volley or following through with your momentum into the kitchen after a volley are faults.
THE DOUBLE BOUNCE RULE BOUNCE ON SERVE RETURN The receiving team must let the serve bounce once before returning it and the serving team must also let the return of service bounce once before playing it. VOLLEYS AFTER TWO BOUNCES After both bounces have occurred, the ball can be played either as a volley (in the air) or as a groundstroke
SCORING SERVING TEAM SCORES Points can only be scored by the team that is serving WINNING A RALLY If the serving team wins a rally, they score a point and continue serving. LOSING A SERVE If the serving team loses a rally, the serve is transferred to the opposing team, but no points are awarded. GAME SCORE Games are typically played to 11 points, or up to 15 or 21 in tournaments, and must be won by a two-point lead.