Rules of Pickleball: Simple Explanation [Rules Summary] (2023)

FAQs

What are the rules of pickleball quick summary? ›

Simply put, the rules of pickleball are: the ball must stay inbounds, there should be one bounce per side, serving must be done at the baseline, the serve can't land in the no-volley zone, and the game ends at 11 or 15 points.

Drill, Practice, Play

Most people enjoy playing pickleball. And I suspect, the vast majority of pickleball players only play. However, if you want to improve you must spend time practicing and drilling. Taking time to practice and to drill is important if you want to improve.

The server's arm must be moving in an upward arc when the ball is struck. Paddle contact with the ball must not be made above the waist level. The head of the paddle must not be above the highest part of the wrist at contact. A 'drop serve' is also permitted in which case none of the elements above apply.

Points are scored only on the serve; the receiving side cannot score a point. At the start of the game, the player on the right side (even court) serves to the diagonally opposite court. If a point is scored, the server moves to the left side (odd court) and serves to the diagonally opposite court.

Keep your paddle high, near your chest; your reaction time will be quicker. Keep the ball in play -- let your opponent make the mistakes. Seventy-five percent of all rallies are won or lost because of unforced errors, many of them at the baseline. Return your baseline shots to the center line as often as you can.

One of the hardest things to do in the sport of pickleball is to keep the pickleball low (while still over the net). A low pickleball will prevent your opponents from being able to go on the offensive with an aggressive shot.

The First Side to Serve in Doubles Pickleball Only Has One Serve; Then, Each Side Has Two Serves. Each team in doubles pickleball will receive two serves, one for each partner, except for the team that serves to start the game. The team that serves to start the game will only receive one serve.

What is Rule 9 in pickleball? ›

It is a fault. if the volleying player or anything that has contact with the volleying player while in the act of volleying, touches the non-volley zone.

1. Scooting up after the serve. The most common mistake I see is that after serving, they scoot up a bit. The problem with this is that the return server is going to hit the ball as deep as possible, and if you've scooted up following your shot, you'll have to run back or will have a very hard time returning the shot.

Dinking. Dinking is essential to any pickleball strategy. This is a move that isn't just an important part of your arsenal but should be your primary skill. Anyone that's been to a pickleball training camp will tell you the same.

There are a lot of shots to learn in pickleball, but the most important ones to master are the basic ones. The serve is the shot that gets the point started. It's neither a volley nor a groundstroke.

A dead ball is declared in the game of pickleball when any of the following occur; one of the players commits a fault, the ball hits a permanent object, or a hinder is declared. When a player commits a fault, the other side wins the point.

It is a fault if a ball hits any other part of the body. Hand Hitting the Ball: Balls hit by the paddle hand below the wrist while holding the paddle, are legal. It is a fault if a ball hits any other part of the body. An “out” ball is not “out” until it bounces.

A player cannot be in the Kitchen, or on the Kitchen line, during play unless the ball lands into the Kitchen first. A player's body or any part of it that comes in contact with the Kitchen, or Kitchen line, will be at fault. A player cannot touch the kitchen line with their swing, follow-through, or momentum.

Fun, social, and easy to learn, pickleball is growing in popularity throughout the United States and Canada. With simple rules and inexpensive equipment, pickleball can be enjoyed by all ages and is a great physical activity for seniors.

Among the reasons older adults love pickleball: The court is small enough that you don't need to move much to hit the ball, especially if you're playing doubles. The game encourages players to socialize. There's none of the frustration factor that accompanies sports like golf.

The easiest and most efficient way to get started in pickleball is to find someone you know who is really into it. It's incredibly likely that they will do whatever they can to give you a healthy start to the sport. Trust me; Pickleball players are always searching for new players to play with.

Can you bounce and serve in pickleball? ›

The ball can be dropped from any height but cannot be thrown, tossed, or otherwise released with any added force to bounce it. Serve to the diagonally opposite service court from behind the baseline and on or within the imaginary extension of the sidelines and centerline.

For starters, “the kitchen” is a nickname given to pickleball's non-volley zone. No player is allowed inside (or on the line) of the non-volley zone unless the ball has bounced. This includes stepping into the kitchen following a volley or after the ball has been ruled dead.

As for the hat and socks: USA Pickleball doesn't care if you have a logo on your cap or one sock is purple and one is green. But if your neon-yellow shirt is the same color as the ball, we hope you brought a change of clothes in case your opponent objects and the tournament director agrees that it's a distraction.

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. The serve must be made with an underhand stroke so that contact with the ball is made below waist level.

To start a pickleball match, the score will be called zero, zero, two. This means that as soon as the serving team commits a fault, the other team gets to serve.

Serve – To determine the first server, one player from each team will play rock, paper, scissors. Winner will determine whether to serve or receive. Player must keep one foot behind the back line when serving.

In the summer of 1965, pickleball was founded by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Within days, Joan Pritchard had come up with the name “pickle ball”—a reference to the thrown-together leftover non-starters in the “pickle boat” of crew races.

Just as tennis players do, hitting against a wall can be very good practice. It isn't very hard to find a wall somewhere that you can bang a pickleball against. Just put some tape on the wall at net height and you even have a target area. You can practice serves, dinks, volleys and drives using a wall.

In order to keep track of the score, you'll simply have to remember that your partner served first. The same rules apply: when your partner is on the right side of the court you'll have an even score, and when they're on the left you'll have an odd score.