Rules

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to the rules of pickleball! Whether you’re a beginner just learning the game or a seasoned player looking to refresh your knowledge, this page will provide you with all the essential information you need to enjoy the sport.

Court and
Equipment

Court Dimensions:
A standard pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long for both singles and doubles play.

Net Height:
The net is 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches at the center.

Equipment:
Players use a paddle and a plastic ball with holes.

Starting
the Game

Serve

Serving Position:
The serve must be made from behind the baseline. Players must keep both feet behind the baseline until after the ball is struck.

Serve Type:
The serve must be underhand, and the paddle must contact the ball below the waist.

Service Area:
The ball must be served diagonally crosscourt and land within the opponent’s service court.

Faults

A serve is considered a fault if it lands in the non-volley zone (the “kitchen”), out of bounds, or doesn’t clear the net.

Serving Sequence

In doubles, each player on a team will serve until a fault is made. The service starts from the right side and switches sides after each point.

The Volley

Non-Volley Zone:

Players cannot volley (hit the ball in the air without letting it bounce) while standing in the non-volley zone, also known as the kitchen, or on the line of the zone.

After hitting a volley, a player may step into the non-volley zone as long as they don’t touch the line during the volley.

Double Bounce Rule

When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce before returning, and then the serving team must let it bounce before playing it. After the ball has bounced once on each side, it can be volleyed or played off the bounce.

Scoring

Points:

Points can only be scored by the serving team.

A game is typically played to 11 points, and a team must win by at least 2 points.

In tournament play, games may be played to 15 or 21 points, with the same win-by-2 rule.

Winning the Game

The first team to reach the winning score with at least a 2-point margin wins the game.

Faults

Common Faults Include:

Hitting the ball out of bounds.
Not clearing the net.
Stepping into the non-volley zone and volleying the ball.
Violating the double bounce rule.

Etiquette

Good Sportsmanship:

Always call the lines on your side of the court.
Be honest and respectful in your calls.
Avoid excessive celebration and respect your opponents at all times.

Timeouts:

Each team is allowed up to two timeouts per game, lasting 1 minute each.

We hope this guide helps you understand and enjoy the game of pickleball better. For a more detailed explanation of the rules, refer to the official rulebook of the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA). Enjoy your game and play fair!