PICKLEBALL RULES

A complete set of rules may be obtained from the United States of America Pickleball Association. However, if you are just learning, you might find the following condensed rules much easier to follow. There is also a great summary of the rules distributed by USA Pickleball that can be reviewed at Rules Summary | USA Pickleball. A copy of the Wheelchair rules can be found at Adaptive / Wheelchair Pickleball Rules | USA Pickleball.

Game and Match

In tournaments, a match will usually consist of the best 2 out of 3 games to 11. A game is finished when one player or team reaches 11 points and is leading by at least two points. If the score is tied at 10-10, then the game continues until one player or team wins by two points. Players switch sides after the first game. If a third game is needed, the players will switch sides after the first player or team gets to 6 points, and the game will then continue to its conclusion.

For consolation events, or when time is short, matches often consist of just one game to 15 points. The winner in this format must also be ahead by two points. In a 15-point game, players should switch sides after one team gets to 8 points, and the game will then continue to its conclusion.

Serving

In pickleball, a player or team can only score points when serving. Prior to 2007, players were allowed to step over the baseline with one foot when serving, as long as they kept at least one foot behind the baseline until after they contacted the ball. However, the rule has been changed by the National Pickleball Association (USAPA) so that now both feet must remain behind the baseline until after the ball is struck.

Players must announce the score prior to serving. Always call the server’s score first, opponent’s score second and then the number server you are on your team, so a 1 or a 2.
Serves must travel diagonally and land between the non-volley zone and the baseline of the service court opposite of the serving player. If the ball lands in the kitchen or on the kitchen line, it is considered a short serve which is a fault.

Each player is allowed only one serving attempt. (The ruling on a let serve changed in 2022. A let serve occurs when the serve hits the net and still lands in the correct service court. If this occurs, the serve is considered to be a good serve and play continues. If the let serve does not land in the correct court service area, it is a fault.) Each player will continue to serve until he does not win a point.

Serving in Doubles

At the start of each new game, only one player on the first serving team is allowed a service turn before giving up the ball to the opponents. Thereafter both members of each team will have a service turn before the ball is turned over to the opposing team.
In doubles, the player on the right at the start of a service turn will be the first person to serve for their team and will continue to serve until he or she does not win a point. Then his or her partner will serve until he or she does also does not win a point. Then it is the other team’s turn to serve.
When the serving team scores a point, the server moves to the other side of the serving team’s court. The receiving team should never switch sides.
If the serve rotation is done properly in doubles, the serving team’s score will always be even when the player that started the game on the right side is on the right side and odd when that player is on the left side.

Serving in Singles

In singles, the server will serve from the right when he has an even number of points (0, 2, 6, 10). The server should serve from the left when he has an odd number of points (1, 3, 7, 9). The receiver should adjust their position according to where the server stands.

Non-Volley Zone

To volley a ball means to hit it in the air without letting it bounce. All volleying must be done with the player’s feet behind the non-volley zone.

If a player’s momentum causes them to step on or over the non-volley line after hitting a volley they have committed a fault and lose the point.
If a player’s paddle, clothing, hat, or any part of their body touches any part of the non-volley zone while hitting a volley or as a result of their forward momentum after hitting the ball they lose the point!
A player may jump across the non-volley line after hitting a volley if they don’t touch any part of the non-volley zone including the lines while doing so.

Double Bounce Rule

Each team must play their first shot off the bounce. That is, the receiving team must let the serve bounce and the serving team must let the return of the serve bounce before playing it. After the two bounces have occurred, the ball can either be volleyed or played off the bounce.

Faults

The ball may only bounce once per side. After the ball is hit by a player, it must travel to the other side of the net. If the ball hits one of the sidelines or the baseline, it is a playable ball. (See Video)

When a player or team fails to win the rally they are said to have made a fault. Some, but not all of the things that cause a fault, are listed below:

Serving the ball into an incorrect area.
Hitting the ball out of bounds.
Volleying the ball before it has bounced once on each side.
Hitting the ball into the net or hitting the net with your paddle or body.
Hitting the ball while in the non-volley zone before it is allowed to bounce.
Touching the non-volley zone with your paddle or clothes while attempting to hit a volley.
Stepping on or over the non-volley zone line on a follow through.
Missing the ball when you try to hit it.

Server swings the paddle with the intent of hitting the ball but misses.