Pickleball Rules for Beginners in Five Minutes
Pickleball has a reputation for being easy to learn, and it earns it. You can pick up the basics in a few minutes and be rallying in your first game. Here is what you need.
The court and the net
A pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, the same for singles and doubles. The net is 36 inches high at the posts and 34 inches at the center. On each side of the net there is a 7 foot zone called the non-volley zone, better known as the kitchen.
The serve
Serve underhand and diagonally cross-court, and land the ball beyond the kitchen. Only the serving side can score points.
The two-bounce rule
After the serve, the ball must bounce once on the receiving side. The serving side must then let the return bounce once before anyone volleys. After those two bounces, volleys are allowed.
The kitchen
You cannot hit a volley while standing in the kitchen or touching its line, and you cannot let your momentum carry you into it after a volley. You can step in to hit a ball that has already bounced.
Scoring
Games are usually played to 11 points, and you must win by 2. In doubles, the score is called as three numbers: your team’s score, the other team’s score, and whether you are the first or second server.
Common faults
- Hitting the ball out of bounds
- Hitting it into the net
- Volleying from inside the kitchen
- A serve that lands in the kitchen
Details vary slightly between recreational play and sanctioned events, so check the official rulebook if you plan to compete.
