Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis into a sport anyone can learn quickly. The rules are straightforward, but understanding them properly helps you play better and avoid common mistakes. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Court
Standard Dimensions
A pickleball court measures 20 feet wide by 44 feet long. This applies to both singles and doubles play. The court is divided by a net that stands 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches in the center.
The Kitchen
The non-volley zone, commonly called the kitchen, extends 7 feet from the net on both sides. This area includes the lines. You cannot volley the ball while standing in this zone or touching the line.
Service Courts
Each side of the court has two service courts, right and left. These are divided by the centerline and measure 10 feet wide by 15 feet deep.
Serving
Basic Requirements
Servers must hit the ball underhand with contact below the waist. Your arm must move in an upward arc. At contact, the paddle head must be below your wrist.
Service Motion
You must keep both feet behind the baseline when serving. At least one foot must stay on the ground during the serve. The serve goes diagonally to the opponent’s service court.
Starting Position
The server stands behind the baseline on the right side for the first serve of each turn. After scoring, the server switches to the left side and continues alternating.
Drop Serve
An alternative serving method allows you to drop the ball and hit it after it bounces. The ball must drop from your hand without added force. There are no restrictions on paddle position or upward motion with this method.
Scoring
Points System
Only the serving team can score points. Games typically go to 11 points, and you must win by 2. Tournament games may go to 15 or 21 points.
Score Announcement
Call three numbers before each serve in doubles: your team’s score, opponent’s score, then server number (1 or 2). In singles, call only two numbers: your score then the opponent’s score.
Server Sequence
In doubles, both partners get to serve before a side out, except at the game’s start. The starting team begins with “0-0-2” because only one player serves initially. After the first server loses a rally, their partner serves as server 2.
Returns
Double Bounce
After the serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce once before returning it. Then the serving team must also let the return bounce. After these two bounces, either team can volley or play off the bounce.
This rule prevents serve-and-volley dominance and extends rallies.
Return Requirements
The return of serve must land in the correct service court diagonally across from the server. If it lands out or in the net, the serving team scores a point.
Volleys
Definition
A volley means hitting the ball before it bounces. You can volley from anywhere on the court except the kitchen.
Kitchen Violations
You cannot step into the kitchen or touch the kitchen line while volleying. This includes your momentum carrying you in after contact. If any part of your body or clothing touches the kitchen during or immediately after a volley, you lose the rally.
After Bounce
Once the ball bounces, you can enter the kitchen freely to hit it. You can stand in the kitchen between shots as long as you’re not volleying.
Re-Establishing Position
If you were standing in the kitchen, both feet must be outside the kitchen before you can legally volley. Simply stepping out with one foot isn’t enough.
Faults
Service Faults
A fault occurs when the serve lands in the wrong court, goes out of bounds, hits the net, or violates serving rules. The server who faults loses their serve.
Rally Faults
Common faults include double bounces on your side, hitting the ball out of bounds, hitting the ball into the net, touching the net with your body or paddle, or the ball hitting your body or clothing.
Line Calls
Any ball touching a line is considered in. Only the players on the side where the ball lands should make line calls. If there’s doubt about whether a ball was in or out, it’s considered in.
Net Contact
If the ball hits the net on any shot and lands in the correct court, play continues. This includes serves. There are no “let” serves in pickleball—if your serve hits the net and lands in the proper service court, it’s a live ball and play continues.
Timeouts
When Available
Each team gets two timeouts per game lasting one minute each. You can only call timeouts between rallies before the score is announced.
The 10-Second Rule
Once the score is called, the server has 10 seconds to complete the serve. This keeps the game moving at a reasonable pace.
Common Mistakes
Beginner Errors
New players often forget the double bounce rule and rush to the net after serving. They also frequently step into the kitchen while volleying, especially when momentum carries them forward after an aggressive shot.
Score Confusion
Calling the score wrong is the most common beginner mistake. Always pause and think through all three numbers before serving. If you’re unsure, ask your opponents what the score is.
Kitchen Confusion
Remember that only volleys are restricted in the kitchen. You can stand there all day if the ball has bounced. You can also reach over the kitchen line to volley as long as your feet stay behind it.
Variations
Singles Rules
Singles follows the same rules as doubles with one key difference: you serve from the right when your score is even and from the left when odd. There’s no server number to announce.
Tournament Play
Competitive play may include rally scoring where either team can score on any rally. Time limits and specific warm-up protocols also apply. Always check tournament-specific rules before competing.
Etiquette
Fair Play
Players are expected to call lines honestly on their side. When in doubt, call the ball in. This principle of giving opponents the benefit of the doubt is fundamental to pickleball.
Respect
Keep noise to a minimum during rallies. Wait for the score to be called before serving. Don’t yell, stomp, or wave your paddle to distract opponents when they’re about to hit the ball.
FAQs
What paddle specifications must meet legal requirements?
Combined paddle length and width cannot exceed 24 inches, with maximum length of 17 inches. There’s no weight restriction, though most paddles range 7-8.5 ounces. No thickness limit exists, but typical paddles measure 13-16mm thick. Surface must be rigid and non-compressible material.
How do indoor and outdoor balls differ structurally?
Indoor balls have 26 larger holes (.43-inch diameter) making them lighter and slower, while outdoor balls feature 40 smaller holes for wind resistance and durability. Outdoor balls use harder plastic compound and weigh more, providing better bounce on rough surfaces compared to softer indoor versions.
Are there clothing restrictions during tournament play?
Players can’t wear clothing approximating ball color or highly reflective materials that could distract opponents. Officials may require clothing changes deemed “inappropriate.” While jewelry is allowed, dangling pieces creating safety hazards should be avoided. No specific color restrictions otherwise exist.
What if a ball from another court rolls onto yours?
This is called a hinder. Any player can call it, and the rally is replayed without penalty. The same applies to other transient interruptions like leaves or debris suddenly appearing.
Are there specific foot fault rules beyond the baseline?
Yes, when serving, at least one foot must touch the ground behind the baseline within the imaginary extensions of the sideline and centerline. Neither foot can touch the court or the area outside those imaginary extensions when the serve is struck.
Can you reach over the net to hit the ball?
Generally no—the ball must fully cross to your side before you hit it. Two exceptions exist: your paddle can cross during follow-through after hitting on your side, and if a ball bounces on your side then spins back over untouched, you may reach over once it fully crosses back to the opponent’s side.
