Rules Summary
Review the essential rules new players need to start playing with confidence.
Master the Essentials of Pickleball Play
Learn the serving, scoring, two-bounce, non-volley-zone, and fault rules that help new players start with confidence.
Pickleball is an easy-to-learn paddle sport played on a smaller court with a net, combining elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It can be enjoyed in singles or doubles format.
Serving
Serves are underhand, directed diagonally, with one attempt per serve. Both feet must remain behind the baseline.
Scoring
Only the serving side can score, with games typically going to 11 points (win by 2).
Two-Bounce Rule
The serve and return each must bounce once before volleys are allowed, ensuring longer rallies.
Non-Volley Zone
The "kitchen" zone, 7 feet from each side of the net, restricts volleys, preventing net smashes.
Faults
Faults, such as stepping into the kitchen during a volley or hitting out of bounds, result in side outs or point losses.
Serving Team Selection
Typically, a coin flip or fair selection method determines the initial serving side.
