Pickleball rules can look confusing on paper, but there are really only a handful you need to know. Here they are in plain English.
Video: Most Important Rules in Pickleball (YouTube)
1. The serve
- Serve underhand, with the paddle contacting the ball below your waist.
- Stand behind the baseline and serve diagonally to the opposite service box.
- The serve must clear the kitchen (non-volley zone) and the kitchen line.
- You get one serve attempt.
2. The two-bounce rule
After the serve, the ball must bounce once on each side before anyone can volley. So the receiving team lets the serve bounce, and the serving team lets the return bounce. After that, volleys are allowed.
3. The kitchen (non-volley zone)
You can't volley while standing in the kitchen, the 7-foot zone on each side of the net, or while touching its line. You can step in to play a ball that has bounced. More on the kitchen rule.
4. Faults
You lose the rally if you:
- hit the ball out of bounds (balls landing on a line are in, except a serve landing on the kitchen line)
- hit it into the net
- volley before the two-bounce rule allows
- volley from inside the kitchen
- let the ball bounce twice on your side
5. Scoring
Games are usually to 11, win by 2. Traditionally only the serving team can score. Scoring explained.
Quick answers
Can you hit the ball before it bounces in pickleball?
Yes, once the two-bounce rule has been met, and as long as you're not standing in the kitchen.
Is the line in or out?
A ball landing on a line is in, except on the serve, where landing on the kitchen line is out.
Rules can vary slightly between clubs and events, so check the format before you play.
