Pickleball Rules

Essential

Court & Basics

A pickleball court is 20' × 44' (same as badminton doubles). The non-volley zone (NVZ, or “kitchen”) extends 7' from the net on both sides. Games are commonly played to 11, win by 2.

Serve

Serving Rules

Strike the ball with an underhand motion; contact must be below the waist (navel). Paddle head must be below the wrist at contact.

Serve from behind the baseline into the opposite diagonal service court. Lines are in, except the NVZ line on the serve.

If the serve hits the net and lands in the correct service box, it is in play (no replay). Foot faults: both feet must be behind the baseline at contact.

Flow

Double-Bounce Rule

After the serve, the receiver must let the ball bounce once before returning. Then the serving team must also let it bounce once before hitting. After these two bounces, volleys are allowed outside the kitchen.

1. Serve → bounce on receiver’s side.

2. Return → bounce on server’s side.

3. Rally → volleys allowed (but never from inside the NVZ).

Positioning

Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen)

You may not volley (hit out of the air) while any part of you is touching the NVZ line or inside the NVZ.
Momentum counts: if you volley and your momentum carries you into the NVZ, it’s a fault—even if the ball is dead.
It’s legal to enter the NVZ to play a bounce (a dink), but you must re-establish outside before volleying again.

Points

Scoring

Rally scoring is used in some formats, but the traditional standard is side-out scoring: only the serving team can score. Games are typically to 11, win by 2 (tournaments may go to 15 or 21).

State three numbers: server score – receiver score – server # (1 or 2). Server # resets to 1 on side-out.

In doubles, teammates switch sides only when they win a point on their team’s serve.

Avoid

Common Faults

Volleying from the NVZ (or touching the NVZ line while volleying).
Missing the service box (inc. long or wide) or foot fault on the serve.
Hitting the ball into the net or out of bounds during a rally.
Not letting the ball bounce on the first two shots after the serve.

Spirit

Etiquette & Safety

Call the score loudly before each serve.
Call balls honestly. If unsure, the ball is in.
Wait for the other court before retrieving stray balls.
Communicate with your partner—“mine,” “yours,” “bounce.”

FAQ

Quick FAQs

No. Touching the NVZ line while volleying is a fault.

Yes, it’s live; play continues (no let).

Same court and most rules; scoring call in singles uses two numbers (server–receiver).

Learn the core pickleball rules in minutes.