8 Basic Pickleball Rules Explained

Congratulations on your decision to learn about pickleball rules. I have compiled all the necessary information in one place, providing clear explanations of the official rules.

Table of Contents

1. Serving Rules

You must stand behind the baseline on your serving side and in between the imaginary extensions of the sidelines.
While serving you are not allowed to jump, one foot may hover over but the other foot must always remain on the ground while you are serving.
The type of serve allowed in pickleball is known as an Underhand serve. This means that the paddle will swing in an upward curve below the waist level of the server.
This kind of serve is a Toss serve because you will have to toss the ball with the other hand while serving.
There is another kind of service called Drop Serve.
Drop Serve is an exception to the waist and wrist rules as they don’t apply here.
The only thing that matters is that you can’t throw the ball on the ground, you just let it drop and bounce and then hit it with a paddle in an underhand motion.
Remember that you must land your service diagonally across the court in the opposite service court and not in the kitchen or kitchen line (Non-Volley Zone).
You are allowed only one chance of service if you make any kind of service faults the service will be rotated or changed.

Now let’s move to the second part.

2. Serving Sequence

Singles game.

Suppose there are two players: Player A & B
Player A will start the service from the right side of the court and one of the two things may happen, player A will score a point or make a fault.
If Player A scores a point he will deliver the next service from the left side of the court. This sequence of changing court will go on until player A makes a fault.
If Player A makes a fault then the opponent (Player B) will get the service.
Player B will start the service from the right-hand side of his court and follow the same sequence as Player A.
This alternate serving sequence will go on until one player wins the game.

Doubles game.

In doubles games, each player of a team is given server numbers (1 and 2 )
The Serving sequence is the same as a single game. The only thing different here is that when server 1 makes a fault the service is given to server 2 of the same team.
Both the players on the team get to serve before the service is given to another team.
When both of the servers have served and made faults the service will be given to the opponent team this is called a “side out”.
One important point to remember here is that this rule doesn’t apply at the start of the game at the time of first serve, Where the serve will be transferred to the opposite team on the first fault.

3. Scoring Rules

Pickleball scoring is simple and a state-forward game is played for 11 points and the player should win by a margin of 2 points. (A 15 or 21-point score is played in the tournaments).
That means if the game reaches 10:10 then one player must score until 12 to win.
Only the serving team can score points, if a serving team wins a rally they score a point, if non serving team wins a rally they don’t get a point but get the chance to serve.
The serving team gains a point when the opposing team makes a fault. (we will learn more about faults later in the article)

4. Double Bounce Rule

This rule is established to promote fair play and rally initiations.
The rule is simple, one team serves the ball and the receiving team must let it bounce once on their side of the court before returning it.
Then the serving team must let it bounce once on their side before returning the shot.
Hence “two bounces” one bounce on each side before anybody can volley the ball.

5. Non-Volley Zone

It’s a zone 7 feet starting from the net on both sides of the court.
Its dimensions are 7 feet in depth and 20 feet wide.
It is also called “kitchen”
You are not allowed to volley (hitting the ball without letting it bounce on your court) while standing in this zone.
If your foot touches the line or you enter the non-volley zone while hitting a volley it will be called a fault.
It is considered a fault if the player touches the line or is carried into the non-volley zone with the momentum after volleying the ball.
Entering into a non-volley zone or kitchen is not considered a fault, unless and until you try to volley a ball from there.

6. Faults

Whenever a player violates any of the rules, it is considered a fault. The game will be halted. If the receiving team makes a fault the serving team gains a point and if the serving team makes a fault the receiving team gets a chance to serve. (Side-out)

Following are some ways faults happen:

The ball is hit out of the bounds
The player steps into the non-volley zone while volleying the ball.
Violation of the double bounce rule.
A player fails to clear the net while serving or returning.
Letting the ball bounce twice in your court before returning the shot.
The ball touches the player’s body or clothes except the paddle.

7. Service Fault

Service faults are quite straightforward. There are 4 types of service faults:

A server hits the ball out of bounds.
A server steps inside the baseline at the time of service (before the ball hits the paddle).
The server violates the underhand below the waist or wrist rule.
A server fails to clear the net.
Service faults will result in a loss of the chance to serve.

8. Let Serve

At the time of service if the ball touches the net but falls on the right side of the court it will be called for let serve.
That means service will be repeated without any penalty.

Finally!

If you have made it to the end then congratulations. I know these rules appear daunting at first, but you don’t need to memorize them, just keep them in mind and bookmark them for future reference.

Just grab your paddle and jump on the court the more you play the more you will learn. Remember we all were beginners and we all made silly mistakes. It’s part of the game. So gear up and hit the court with confidence.

You can ask your doubts in the comment section below, I’ll be more than happy to clear it.

See you on the court.

PS: Download Official Pickleball Rulebook 2024

PPS: You can check Official Rules Here.