Breaking Down Pickleball Rules: The Must-Know Guide for New Players
If you're new to pickleball, one of the best ways to improve your game and avoid mistakes is by understanding the rules. Pickleball may seem straightforward, but there are specific rules that every player needs to know to avoid penalties and play effectively. This guide will walk you through the essential pickleball rules, from serving to scoring, so you can feel confident in your next match.
The Basic Structure of a Pickleball Game
Pickleball is played on a 20 x 44-foot court, similar to the size of a badminton court, and can be played in singles (one vs. one) or doubles (two vs. two). The game combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, making it a fun and fast-paced sport for all ages.
Objective
The goal is to be the first to score 11 points, with at least a 2-point margin, in either singles or doubles play. Some tournaments may use 15 or 21 points as the winning threshold, but the 2-point lead requirement remains.
Serving Rules: The Foundation of Every Point
Underhand Serve Only
In pickleball, all serves must be made underhand. The server must strike the ball below the waist and hit it diagonally to the opponent's service court. The server’s feet must remain behind the baseline until the ball is served. Unlike tennis, there are no overhand serves allowed, which makes pickleball more accessible to players of all skill levels.
Serve Placement
The serve must land in the opposite diagonal service box, beyond the non-volley zone (or kitchen) line. A serve that lands in the kitchen or out of bounds results in a fault.
Key Rule to Remember: The serve cannot hit the net and go over—it’s not like tennis where “let” serves are allowed. If the ball touches the net on a serve and lands in the correct service box, it results in a fault and a side-out.
The Double-Bounce Rule
A crucial rule in pickleball is the double-bounce rule. After the serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce once before returning it, and then the serving team must also let the ball bounce once before hitting it. After this initial bounce on both sides, players are allowed to hit the ball out of the air (volley), except when they are inside the non-volley zone (the kitchen).
This rule is essential because it prevents the serving team from having an unfair advantage by rushing the net immediately after serving.
The Non-Volley Zone (The Kitchen)
The non-volley zone, also known as the kitchen, is the 7-foot area on both sides of the net. Players are not allowed to volley (hit the ball in the air) while standing inside the kitchen. This rule prevents players from standing right at the net and dominating the game with aggressive volleys.
However, players are allowed to enter the kitchen to hit a ball if it has bounced first. The idea is to create a more strategic game where players need to consider their positioning and footwork, rather than just relying on power shots.
Key Rule to Remember: If your momentum carries you into the kitchen after volleying the ball, it results in a fault. You must regain your balance outside the kitchen before hitting a volley.
Scoring in Pickleball
Unlike tennis, where both players can score points, in pickleball, only the serving team can score. This scoring format makes the game more tactical, as teams need to earn the serve before they have the opportunity to accumulate points.
Singles Scoring
In singles play, scoring is straightforward. If the server wins the rally, they score a point and continue serving, alternating between the left and right service courts after each point.
Doubles Scoring
In doubles, both teammates get a chance to serve before the serve is passed to the opposing team. The player on the right always serves first, and if that player wins the point, they continue serving. If they lose the rally, their teammate gets a turn to serve. Only after both players on a team have served does the serve go to the opposing team.
Key Rule to Remember: When calling the score in doubles, you announce the serving team’s score first, followed by the opposing team’s score, and finally the server number (either 1 or 2). For example, if the score is 5-3-2, this means the serving team has 5 points, the opponents have 3, and the second player is serving.
Faults in Pickleball
A fault in pickleball results in the end of a rally. Here are some common faults:
Serving faults: Serving out of bounds, into the net, or stepping on the baseline while serving.
Volleying faults: Volleying the ball before it has bounced once on each side (double-bounce rule violation).
Kitchen faults: Stepping into the kitchen and volleying the ball, or allowing momentum to carry you into the kitchen after a volley.
Hitting the ball out of bounds: Any shot that lands outside the court lines.
Advanced Rules and Tips
Once you’ve mastered the basic rules, you can start thinking about more advanced strategies to take your game to the next level:
Stacking: A common strategy in doubles play where partners switch sides to ensure their stronger player stays in their preferred position (forehand or backhand dominance).
Communication: Effective communication between partners is key in doubles play to avoid confusion over who will hit the ball. Players often call “mine” or “yours” to designate who will take the shot.
Conclusion: Know the Rules, Master the Game
By understanding the basic rules of pickleball, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the game and improving your chances of success on the court. From mastering the serve and return to controlling the kitchen, knowing how to play within the rules will give you an edge over your opponents.
With pickleball’s growing popularity and the expansion of professional-grade facilities like PURE Pickleball in Scottsdale, which is set to become one of the largest indoor pickleball centers in the world(Front Office Sports)(KTAR.com), now is the perfect time to refine your understanding of the game’s rules and improve your skills.