Pickleball Rules for Beginners Guide

Understanding Pickleball: The Basics

Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis into a sport that is easy to learn but endlessly rewarding to master. Played on a 20-by-44-foot court (see our complete dimensions guide), the game uses a perforated polymer ball and solid paddles. Whether you are playing singles or doubles, the core rules are the same. This guide covers everything you need to know to step onto the court with confidence.

Scoring Rules Explained

Pickleball scoring is the aspect that confuses new players most. The system is different from tennis and requires some practice to internalize. Here is how it works.

The Fundamentals

• Only the serving team scores. If you are receiving and win the rally, you earn the right to serve but do not score a point.
• Games go to 11, win by 2. Tournament play sometimes uses games to 15 or 21.
• In doubles, both players on a team get to serve before the serve passes to the other team (except at the very start of the game, when only one player on the first serving team gets to serve).

The Three-Number Score Call

In doubles, scores are announced as three numbers: the serving team's score, the receiving team's score, and the server number (1 or 2). For example, if your team has 4 points, the other team has 7, and you are the first server, the call is "4-7-1."

Singles Scoring

Singles scoring is simpler. Only two numbers are called: server score and receiver score. The serve always comes from the right side when the server's score is even, and from the left side when it is odd. This rule helps both players and referees keep track of the score.

Serving Rules

The serve in pickleball must be executed underhand, making it one of the most accessible serves in any racket sport. Even so, there are specific rules that govern the motion and placement.

Serve Requirements

• Underhand motion: The paddle must contact the ball below the server's waist. The paddle head must be below the wrist at the point of contact.
• Behind the baseline: Both feet must be behind the baseline when the paddle contacts the ball. At least one foot must be on the playing surface (not in the air).
• Diagonal service: The ball must land in the diagonally opposite service court. If it lands in the kitchen or on the kitchen line, it is a fault.
• One attempt: Unlike tennis, you get only one serve attempt. If it hits the net and lands in the correct service court (a let), you replay it.

The Drop Serve Option

Since 2021, players may use a drop serve as an alternative. Drop the ball from any height (without adding force), let it bounce, then hit it. With the drop serve, there are no restrictions on how high the paddle head is at contact or whether the swing is upward. This option is especially helpful for beginners who find the traditional volley serve timing difficult.

The Two-Bounce Rule

This is the single most important rule that sets pickleball apart from other racket sports. After the serve, the ball must bounce once on the receiver's side before being returned. Then it must bounce once on the server's side before the server's team can return it. After these two bounces have occurred, both teams may either volley (hit the ball out of the air) or play it off the bounce.

The Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen)

The non-volley zone, universally called the kitchen, is a 7-foot-deep area on each side of the net. The kitchen rule is what prevents tall or aggressive players from dominating by camping at the net and smashing every ball.

Kitchen Rules in Detail

• No volleying in the kitchen. If any part of your body is touching the kitchen or the kitchen line when you volley, it is a fault. This includes your feet, a shoe that has drifted, or even an article of clothing that falls off.
• Momentum counts. If the momentum of a volley carries you into the kitchen, it is a fault even if you contacted the ball outside the kitchen. You must re-establish both feet outside the kitchen before hitting a volley.
• Bounced balls are fine. You can step into the kitchen freely to play a ball that has bounced. Most dink rallies (soft exchanges near the net) happen with both teams standing in or near the kitchen.
• Partner rules. Your partner cannot be in the kitchen when you volley either, and you cannot be stabilized by a partner who is in the kitchen.

Common Faults

A fault ends the rally. If the serving team faults, the serve passes to the next server or the other team (side-out). If the receiving team faults, the serving team scores a point.

Doubles-Specific Rules

Most pickleball is played as doubles, and there are a few additional rules that apply specifically to four-player games.

• Starting server exception: At the beginning of the game, only one player on the first serving team gets to serve before a side-out. This prevents the team that serves first from gaining an unfair advantage.
• Correct server position: The player on the right side serves when the team's score is even; the player on the left side serves when the score is odd. Getting this wrong results in a fault.
• Stacking: An advanced strategy where partners position themselves on the same side of the court before the serve. This is legal and commonly used by teams where one player has a stronger forehand.

Tips for Your First Game

Need a place to practice? Set up a regulation court anywhere with KourtLit's portable projection system and drill these fundamentals at home, in the park, or on any flat surface. For gear recommendations, check our equipment guide for beginners.