Pickleball is a fun sport. It is easy to learn. Many people around the world play it. If you want to play, you need to know the rules. This guide will explain the basic rules in simple words.
What is Pickleball?
Pickleball is a game like tennis and badminton. It is played with a paddle and a ball. The court is smaller than a tennis court. You can play singles or doubles. The goal is to hit the ball over the net and score points.
Pickleball Court and Equipment
- The court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long.
- The net is 36 inches high on the sides and 34 inches in the middle.
- Players use solid paddles, usually made of wood or composite materials.
- The ball is plastic with holes, similar to a wiffle ball.
Starting the Game: The Serve
Every point starts with a serve. The server must stand behind the baseline. The serve must be underhand. The paddle must hit the ball below the waist. The ball should go diagonally to the opposite court.
If the serve hits the net but lands in the correct area, it is called a “let” serve. You can serve again. If it lands out of bounds, the serve is lost.
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The Two-Bounce Rule
This is an important rule in pickleball. After the serve, the ball must bounce once on each side. First, the ball bounces on the receiver’s side. Then, it bounces on the server’s side. After these two bounces, players can hit the ball before it bounces. This is called volleying.
The Non-Volley Zone or “The Kitchen”
The kitchen is a 7-foot area on both sides of the net. Players cannot hit the ball in the air while standing inside this zone. This means no volleying in the kitchen. You can only hit the ball after it bounces inside the kitchen.
This rule stops players from standing too close to the net and smashing the ball all the time.
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Scoring in Pickleball
Only the serving team can score points. If the serving team wins a rally, they get a point. If they lose the rally, the serve goes to the other team. In doubles, the team has two chances to serve before the other team serves.
The game usually plays to 11 points. But a team must win by 2 points. Sometimes, players play to 15 or 21 points for longer games.
How to Call the Score
Before each serve, players call out the score. The score has three numbers in doubles:
- First number: serving team’s score.
- Second number: receiving team’s score.
- Third number: server number (1 or 2).
For example, if the score is “5-3-1,” the serving team has 5 points, the other team has 3, and it is the first server’s turn.
Faults in Pickleball
A fault means a mistake that ends the rally. Here are some common faults:
- Serving the ball out of bounds.
- Not letting the ball bounce once on each side after the serve.
- Hitting the ball into the net or out of bounds.
- Volleying the ball in the kitchen.
- Touching the net with your paddle or body.
If a fault happens, the other team wins the point or the serve.
How to Play a Rally
The players hit the ball back and forth. The ball must go over the net. It can bounce or be volleyed after the two-bounce rule. Players try to make the other team miss or hit the ball out of bounds.
The rally ends when a fault happens. The team that made the fault loses the point or the serve.
Serving Positions in Doubles
In doubles, the players on the serving team take turns serving. The player on the right serves first. When the serving team wins a point, the server moves to the left side to serve again. They keep switching sides after each point.
If the serving team loses a point, the serve goes to the other team. Then the first server on the other team starts serving from the right side.
Common Terms in Pickleball
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Serve | The first hit to start a point. |
| Volley | Hitting the ball before it bounces. |
| Kitchen | The non-volley zone near the net. |
| Fault | A mistake that ends the rally. |
| Rally | The back and forth hitting of the ball. |
Some Tips to Remember the Rules
- Always serve underhand and diagonally.
- Let the ball bounce once on each side after serve.
- Do not volley in the kitchen.
- Only the serving team can score points.
- Call the score before every serve.
- Play until 11 points and win by 2.
Why Follow the Rules?
The rules make the game fair and fun. They help players know what to do. Everyone enjoys the game more when the rules are clear. Following the rules keeps the game safe for all players.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The 5 Rules In Pickleball?
1. Serve underhand diagonally from behind the baseline. 2. Let the ball bounce once on each side before volleying. 3. Avoid volleying in the non-volley zone (“kitchen”). 4. Only the serving team can score points. 5. Faults end the rally and switch the serve.
What Are The 10 Rules Of Pickleball For Beginners?
The 10 beginner pickleball rules: serve underhand diagonally, let ball bounce twice, no volley in kitchen, only server scores, call score, alternate serves, keep feet behind baseline, no faults, play to 11 points, win by 2. Follow these for fair, fun play.
How Do You Play Pickleball In Simple Terms?
Pickleball starts with an underhand serve diagonally across the net. Each side must let the ball bounce once before volleying. Players cannot volley in the non-volley zone (“kitchen”). Only the serving team scores points. Rallies continue until a fault occurs, then serve switches.
What Is The Golden Rule Pickleball?
The golden rule of pickleball is the Two-Bounce Rule: each side must let the ball bounce once before volleying.
Conclusion
Pickleball is easy to learn with simple rules. The serve starts the game. The two-bounce rule is very important. The kitchen area has special rules. Only servers can score points. Remember to call the score out loud. Know what faults are to avoid losing points.
With these rules, you can play pickleball and have fun. Practice the rules, and enjoy the sport with friends or family.