How to Play Pickleball
Pickleball for Beginners: The following are the basic rules for playing doubles pickleball (2-person teams). There are more rule variations that you can find on USA Pickleball's website. The purpose of these rules is to provide an understanding of how the game is played, with enough detail to get you started with minimal confusion. We recommend asking friends or members of your pickleball community to help teach you all the details of the game.
Objective
In traditional doubles pickleball, the objective is to reach 11 points, with a requirement to win by at least 2 points. If both teams reach 10 points play continues until one team leads by 2 points
Game Setup
Both teams occupy opposite ends of the court. Players starting on the right side (facing the opposing team) will be the first servers of their team when the game begins. The game begins with one side serving, and the starting side is often determined informally based on local customs. If there are no established rules, simply decide as it's not critical. Some common examples include using the north side, parking lot side, home side, Rock, paper, scissors, or guessing a number between 1 and 2.
The serving team typically positions themselves behind the baseline on their respective sides to strategically adhere to the '2 bounce' rule for starting a point (see the 'Starting The Game' section). The server's partner is not limited to starting on the opposite side as the server.
On the opposing end, the serve receiver stands behind the baseline diagonally across from the server, while the other player positions themselves near the Kitchen line (NVZ non-volley zone). While not a rule, this is a common practice since the opponent directly across from the server cannot hit the served ball and, therefore, isn't subject to the first bounce of the '2 bounce' rule."
Starting the Game
Serving Rules
- Swing the paddle upward when striking the ball.
- Strike the ball below waist level with the paddle.
- Keep the paddle head below the highest part of the wrist during contact.
- The first serve of each possession always starts on the right side of the court, regardless of your court position.
- Stand behind the baseline, ensuring that your feet do not cross the imaginary court boundaries, and have one foot on the ground behind the baseline without touching the court.
- Serve diagonally crosscourt into the opposite diagonal court.
- Both players on a team have the opportunity to serve during each possession, except at the start of the game when the starting team is allowed only one serving opportunity.
- 2 Bounce Rule - When the ball is served, the returning team must let the ball bounce before returning, and the serving team must do the same before they hit their 2nd shot. (1 bounce for return side, 1 bounce for serve side)
Drop Serve (Alternative)
A drop serve can be used as an alternative to the serve requirements mentioned above. You can drop the ball from any height without applying downward force, and you are free to strike the ball in any way you prefer after it bounces (the ball can bounce more than once).
Position (switching sides)
At the start of a game, you and your partner will decide which side, right or left, you want to be on for the initial serve. After your team scores a point, you will switch sides with your partner. If your opponent gains a side-out, you remain in your current position. While you can switch positions during a rally, you must return to the side you began on at the start of that rally. This means that the person starting each possession can change during the game, depending on your position when a side-out is earned.
Calling the Score
This is probably the most confusing part about learning pickleball. The score is called by 3 separate numbers: Your score, your opponent’s score and which server is up (1st/2nd or 1/2).
- For example: the score 1 to 3 on the first serve is called as “one - three - 1” (1-3-1). Inversely, if your opponent is calling the score on their 2nd server, it would be “three - one - two” (3-1-2).
- If you are playing with seasoned players, don’t be afraid to have them help you. Everyone was confused in the beginning.
Scoring
In traditional pickleball, side-out scoring is used, and a team can only score points when they have the serving opportunity. The score must be called aloud before every rally by the serving team (a referee will do this in a tournament).
- Whenever the serving team scores a point, they switch sides with their partner and proceed to serve diagonally to the opposite side of the court. (Insert photo)
- If the serving team fails to score a point, the serve goes to the server's partner (the second server). The second server begins their serving opportunity from their current side and continues serving until a point is not scored.
- A side-out is earned if the serving team fails to score a point when it's the second teammate's turn to serve.
- For example, if a team starts serving and does not win a point in a rally, the second player on the team gets a serving opportunity.
- Once the serving team fails to score a point with the second server, it results in a side-out.
Line Calling
It is the responsibility of the receiving team to determine if a ball is in or out on their respective end. Typically, if a ball is near the boundary line, and your team doesn't call it out, it is considered in play. It's important to keep in mind that pickleball is a fun and friendly game, so unless you're in a tournament, courtesy should be the top priority.
Outer boundary
If the ball hits the line, it is in. If it bounces outside of the line, the ball is out.
Kitchen Line
The kitchen line is relevant for serving faults and foot fault violations. If a serve attempt hits the kitchen line, it results in a serving fault, and the serve moves to the next server or results in a side-out.
Middle line
The middle line is relevant for serving faults only. If a serve attempt hits the middle line, it is in. If it bounces on the side directly in front of the server, it results in a serving fault and the serve moves to the next server or results in a side-out.
Faults
A fault is a violation of the game's rules. When a player commits a fault, they typically lose the point or their turn to serve, depending on the specific situation. Some common types of faults in pickleball include:
Serve Fault
When a server fails to follow the proper serving rules, such as not striking the ball correctly, not serving diagonally, or stepping on or over the baseline.
Foot Fault
This occurs when a player steps on or crosses the Kitchen line while making a volley shot. If a player volleys the ball from outside the kitchen but is carried into the kitchen by the momentum of the shot, it is considered a fault. Since the paddle is considered an extension of your body, it cannot touch the ground within the kitchen area after a volley.
Double Bounce (not to be confused with the serve 2 bounce rule)
If a ball bounces more than once on one side before a player hits it, it's considered a fault.
Net Fault
There are a few common faults that pertain to the net or net boundary:
- If a paddle touches the net during play, it is a fault.
- Crossing the plane of the net prior to hitting the ball is a fault
Technically, anything that leads to the end of a point is a form of fault, although these faults are not always labeled with that terminology. The terms mentioned above represent the common situations that are generally recognized as faults.