How to play pickleball – 7 simple rules for beginners
Basic rule
Pickleball must be introduced. Pickleball’s basic principles are simple and easy to understand, which makes it enjoyable to play. “You can get started right away.” To get started, you’ll need to know or teach the following basic rules. As the game progresses, more sophisticated rules may be implemented.
Background
Pickleball was created with the goal of allowing all family members to participate, so the rules were kept simple. Many of the regulations were adapted from tennis, table tennis, and badminton.
The official Pickleball rules are now out in the International Edition of the Rulebook. These are the guidelines for sanctioned tournaments, but feel free to tweak them for casual games and non-sanctioned play.
There is no reason why teachers cannot make adjustments to fit smaller spaces or younger players. As long as basic guidelines are maintained, the primary goal is to have fun.For educators and athletes seeking comprehensive technical information, please refer to the Official Rulebook – International Edition. Pickleball Canada will make amendments to the rules for non-sanctioned tournaments staged in Canada as needed.
Here are the most important guidelines for new players.
How to play pickleball
Pickleball is played on a court similar in size to a badminton court, measuring 20 feet by 44 feet, featuring a net that stands 36 inches high at the sides and 34 inches at the center. Each end of the court contains a 7′ space known as the non-volley zone (or ‘kitchen’) where players are not permitted to hit volleys (air shots).
The game is primarily played in ‘doubles’ format, with two players on each team. While I will focus mainly on the rules for doubles, feel free to explore my guide for more information on singles pickleball.
Let’s look at the seven main pickleball rules. These are only brief overviews; for a more in-depth look at each rule, see below.
Rule #1 : each rally begins with a serve
The game of pickleball, including every rally, starts with a serve, which is always initiated by the player positioned on the right side of the court.. You serve diagonally to your opponent.
An illustration showing the target area for serves in pickleball doubles. The server can strike the ball either after it bounces or as a volley, but the serve must pass over the kitchen area, including the boundary line.
To execute a volley serve, you need to use an underhand forehand or backhand stroke, ensuring you make contact with the ball below your waist. As you hit the ball, your paddle should follow an upward arc
Rule #2: the ball must bounce once on each side before either team can volley
The ball must bounce once on each side before either team is allowed to volley, adhering to the ‘two-bounce rule’ which states that the ball must bounce once on each side before any player can strike it out of the air.
If your partner is serving and you begin to work in the kitchen, you might find yourself in a risky predicament. Why is that? This is due to the returning team’s ability to shoot directly at you.If you respond with a hit before the ball bounces on your side, it’s considered a fault, resulting in a loss of the point.
In the absence of this rule, the serving team could repeatedly charge the net, gaining an unjust edge.
Rule #3: each point continues until a fault
Following the serve, the game proceeds until a rally concludes, which can happen either by scoring a winning shot or by making a ‘fault’. A rally ends when an issue arises.. Pickleball has four basic fault types:
The serve falls outside the specified serving zone or past the kitchen line. The ball is considered out of bounds if it crosses the baseline or sideline.
The ball strikes the net and drops onto your side.
It bounces twice on one side before the player sends it back.
Rule #4: you can’t volley in the kitchen
The non-volley zone, commonly referred to as the ‘kitchen’, is defined by a 7-foot area on either side of the net. As the term suggests, players are prohibited from hitting a volley while standing in the kitchen or even on its boundary line. Additionally, players must avoid allowing their momentum to carry them into the kitchen after executing a volley. However, if the ball bounces within the kitchen, you are allowed to strike it, but hitting it out of the air is not permitted. If your opponent sends a short shot that lands in the kitchen, you are free to enter and play the ball from that position.
Rule #5: you only win points on your serve
In the classic scoring system of pickleball, points can only be scored when you serve, and you continue to serve until you lose a rally. After each point you win while serving, you and your partner switch sides (left and right) and serve to the other team. When your team loses a point, your partner takes over serving in the same sequence until another point is lost. At that point, the serve switches to the opposing team.
Rule #6: the correct score must be called before serving
In pickleball scoring, players proclaim three digits, such as “0-0-2”. Here’s what every number means:
score of the serving team
Second Number
score of the receiving team
Third Number
which player of the team is serving, first server (1) or second server (2)
Let’s imagine the game is tied 3-3. When you begin the serve, announce “3-3-1” to let everyone know you’re the first player in the serving rotation.
If you lose a rally, the ball does not travel to your opponent.It gets relayed to your teammate, who declares “3-3-2”.
When your partner fails to make their serve, it results in a ‘side out’. . This signifies they have dropped two serves, and it is now their opponent’s chance to serve.When your partner fails to make their serve, it results in a ‘side out’.
3 3 1
Serving teams’ score, receiving teams’ score, current server (will be 1 or 2)
There is one exception to this rule: the first player to serve at the start of a new game announces “0-0-2”. This is because the opening team only receives one serve because they have the benefit of scoring first to begin the match.
Rule #7: first team to 11 points wins—but you must win by 2
Following all the rules outlined above, the game continues until one team has 11 points. However, they must win by two.
So, if a game is tied 10-10, the next score does not decide the game. Play continues past 11-10 until one team wins by two points. As a result, certain games can last for an extremely long duration. You may see final scores of 12-10, 15-13, or even 21-19. These are usually the most entertaining games.
Bottom line
Pickleball is a simple and enjoyable game to learn to play. Let’s take another look at the seven fundamental rules.
Every rally begins with an underhanded serve (forehand or backhand).
The ball must bounce once on either side before you can volley.
Each point accumulates until a malfunction occurs or the rally is lost.
A player cannot hit the ball from the air or volley while on or inside the kitchen line.
You only get points for your serve.
The right score must be called before serving.
You must win games by at least two points.
Now, get out there and play!
FAQs
1. What are the basic rules of serving in pickleball?
Serves must be underhand, hit below the waist, and directed diagonally across the court. The server must stand behind the baseline and not step on or over it until the serve is complete.
2. What is the “kitchen” or non-volley zone in pickleball?
The “kitchen” is a 7-foot area on both sides of the net where players cannot volley the ball (hit it out of the air). You must let the ball bounce first before hitting it in this zone.
3. When can players start volleying the ball?
After the “double bounce rule” is satisfied—meaning each team must let the ball bounce once after the serve and return—players may begin volleying.
4. How do you score points in pickleball?
Points can only be scored by the serving team. Games are typically played to 11 points, and a team must win by at least 2 points.
5. Can I play pickleball if I’ve never played tennis or paddle sports before?
Absolutely! Pickleball is beginner-friendly, with a smaller court, slower ball, and simpler rules than many racket sports, making it great for all skill levels.
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