Pickleball Rules: The Complete Guide for Players

The rules of pickleball cover five main things: the serve must be underhand, diagonal and land beyond the kitchen; after the serve each side must let the ball bounce once before anyone volleys; no one may volley while in the non-volley zone (the kitchen); only the serving side scores and each doubles team gets two servers per turn; and games are played to 11, won by two. Everything else, from line calls to faults to lets, builds on those five. This guide explains each area as it applies to recreational play. The official rulebook published by USA Pickleball is the authoritative source and is updated periodically; check it for the current wording.

The court

A rectangular court divided by a low net, with a baseline, sidelines, a centreline splitting each half into two service boxes, and a non-volley line marking the kitchen on each side of the net. Lines are part of the court: a ball landing on a line is in, with one exception at the serve (below). Dimensions are in the court dimensions guide.

The serve

• The server stands behind the baseline, between the imaginary extensions of the centreline and sideline.
• The serve goes diagonally to the opponent's service box.
• The serve must clear the net and land in the diagonal service box. A serve that lands in the kitchen or on the kitchen line is a fault. A serve landing on any other line of the correct box is in.
• Two serve types are permitted: the volley serve (hit out of the air with an underhand motion, paddle below the waist, paddle head below the wrist at contact) and the drop serve (ball dropped from the hand, hit after it bounces, with no restriction on the stroke).
• One serve attempt per point. No lets on serves that touch the net and land in; play continues.
• The server calls the score before serving.

The serving rules guide goes through the serve motion and faults in detail.

The two-bounce rule

The receiving team must let the serve bounce before returning it. The serving team must let the return bounce before hitting it. After those two bounces, either team may volley. Violating this is a fault.

The non-volley zone (kitchen)

• You may not volley while any part of you, including your paddle or clothing, touches the kitchen or its line.
• Momentum: if you volley and then step into the kitchen as a result, it is a fault, even if the ball is already dead.
• You may enter the kitchen at any time to play a ball that has bounced, and you may stay there, but you must get both feet out before volleying again.
• A partner may hold you back from entering the kitchen after a volley; this is legal.

The kitchen rule guide covers the edge cases.

Scoring and serving rotation

Only the serving team scores. In doubles:

• Each team gets two servers per service turn, except the first serving team of the game, which gets one (the game starts at 0-0-2).
• The first server serves from the right side when the team's score is even and the left when odd, and switches sides with each point won.
• When the first server faults, the second server serves. When the second server faults, it is a side out and the other team serves.
• The score is called as three numbers: serving team's score, receiving team's score, server number.

In singles the score is two numbers; the server serves from the right when their score is even and the left when odd.

Games are played to 11, win by two. Tournaments may use 15 or 21. The scoring guide has worked examples.

Faults

A fault ends the rally. Common faults:

• Serve lands out, in the kitchen or on the kitchen line, or in the wrong box.
• Illegal serve motion.
• Ball hit out of bounds or into the net.
• Volleying before the two bounces.
• Volleying from the kitchen or stepping in on momentum.
• Ball bounces twice before being hit.
• Player, paddle or clothing touches the net or posts during play.
• Ball hits a player or their clothing (other than the paddle hand below the wrist, which is legal).
• Serving out of turn or from the wrong side.
• A ball hit before it crosses the net.

Line calls

In recreational and most tournament play, players call lines on their own side. The rules and etiquette are:

• A ball you cannot clearly see as out is in.
• The benefit of the doubt goes to the opponent.
• Either partner may make the call; if partners disagree, the ball is in.
• Spectators and opponents do not make calls on your side.
• An "out" call must be made promptly; calling after the next hit is too late.

See etiquette.

Lets and hinders

A let is a replay. Common causes: a ball from another court rolls on, a player is hindered by something outside their control, or a rally is interrupted. A serve that clips the net and lands in the correct box is not a let; play on. Players should call "ball on" immediately to stop play safely.

Double hits, carries and paddle rules

• A double hit is legal if it is one continuous, single-direction stroke by one player; a deliberate second hit or a carry is a fault.
• The ball may touch any part of the paddle, including the edge and handle.
• Hitting the ball with the paddle hand below the wrist is legal; above the wrist or with the other hand is a fault.
• Switching paddle hands and two-handed shots are legal.

Around-the-post shots

You may hit the ball around the outside of the net post, below net height, and it is legal as long as it lands in. It does not have to pass over the net.

Equipment rules

Tournament play requires approved paddles and balls; recreational play is relaxed. Paddles with excessively rough surfaces or non-approved materials are illegal in sanctioned events. See paddle materials explained.

Timeouts and match format

Tournament rules allow a set number of timeouts per game and specify match formats (best of three to 11, a single game to 15 or 21, and so on). Recreational play rarely uses them. Check the event's rules.

Rule changes

The official rulebook is revised periodically, and serving rules in particular have changed in recent years. For anything contentious, refer to the current edition on the governing body's site rather than an older summary.

FAQ

What are the basic rules of pickleball?

Underhand diagonal serve beyond the kitchen; two-bounce rule; no volleys from the kitchen; only the serving side scores; games to 11, win by two.

Is a serve that hits the net a let?

No. If it lands in the correct service box it is live; if it lands in the kitchen or out, it is a fault.

Can you step into the kitchen?

Yes, to hit a ball that has bounced, or at any time when not volleying. You cannot volley while touching the kitchen or its line, and momentum from a volley cannot carry you in.

Who calls the lines in pickleball?

Each team calls lines on its own side, giving the benefit of the doubt to the opponent. If partners disagree, the ball is in.

Can the ball hit the line on a serve?

Yes, except the kitchen line. A serve touching the kitchen line is a fault; touching any other line of the correct box is in.