PICKLEBALL GAME RULES

Learn the basics of pickleball with our quick guide to the official rules, from serving and scoring to faults and court boundaries—perfect for beginners and pro players alike!

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Pickleball is played either as doubles (two players per team) or singles; doubles is most common.

The same size playing area and rules are used for both singles and doubles.

*Pickleball rules are always evolving! As the sport grows, official regulations are regularly updated to keep play fair, fun, and competitive. We do our best to keep this page current, but we always recommend checking the official USA Pickleball rulebook for the latest version.

BASIC RULES OVERVIEW*

THE SERVE

Serving Motion & Contact

The server’s arm must move in an upward arc when striking the ball.
The paddle must contact the ball below waist level (navel height).
At contact, the paddle head must be below the wrist.
A “drop serve” is allowed: the player drops the ball and hits it after it bounces — none of the above motion/form rules apply for this serve.

Server Positioning

When serving, the server’s feet must not touch:
- The court.
- The baseline.
- The imaginary extensions of the sideline or centerline.
At least one foot must be behind the baseline at contact.

Serve Direction & Attempts

The serve must go diagonally crosscourt and land inside the opposite diagonal service area.
Only one serve attempt is allowed per server (no second chances like in tennis).

SERVING SEQUENCE

Doubles Serving Rules

Both players on a team get to serve and score points until two faults are committed.
The first serve of a game only allows one player to serve (not both teammates).
The serve always starts on the right-hand side of the court.
After a point is scored, the server switches sides and serves again.
When the first server commits a fault, the partner takes over serving from their correct side.
After the second server commits a fault, the serve goes to the other team.
The opposing team follows the same pattern: serve starts on the right side, and each player serves until two faults occur.

Single Serving Rules

The server serves from the right side when their score is even.
The server serves from the left side when their score is odd.

THE SERVE

Traditional Side-Out Scoring

Only the serving team can score points.
Games played to 11, must win by two.
Tournament games may go to 15 or 21, win by two.
Player positioning rule:
- When the serving team’s score is even, the first server starts on the right.
- When the score is odd, they serve from the left.

Rally Scoring

A point is scored on every rally, no matter who served.
This system speeds up play and rewards consistent performance.

TWO-BOUNCE RULE

When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce once before returning it.
The serving team must also let it bounce once before playing the return.
After each team has allowed one bounce, players may either volley (hit before bounce) or ground stroke (after bounce).
This rule prevents early aggressive play like serve-and-volley, promoting longer rallies and fairer gameplay.

NON-VOLLEY ZONE

The non-volley zone (NVZ) extends 7 feet from the net on both sides.
Volleying (hitting the ball before it bounces) is not allowed when standing in this zone.
It’s a fault if a player:
- Steps on the NVZ line or area while volleying.
- Has momentum carry them into the NVZ after a volley.
- Touches the NVZ with anything they’re wearing or holding during or after a volley.
- Players can enter the NVZ at any time, as long as they don’t volley the ball while in it.
- The NVZ is often called “the kitchen” in casual play.

LINE CALLS

A ball contacting any line, except the non-volley zone line on a serve, is considered “in.”
A serve contacting the non-volley zone line is short and a fault.

FAULTS

A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation.
A fault by the receiving team results in a point for the serving team.
A fault by the serving team results in the server’s loss of serve or side out.
A fault occurs when:
- A serve does not land within the confines of the receiving court.
- The ball is hit into the net on the serve or any return.
- The ball is volleyed before a bounce has occurred on each side.
- The ball is hit out of bounds.
- A ball is volleyed from the non-volley zone.
- A ball bounces twice before being struck by the receiver.
- A player, player’s clothing, or any part of a player’s. paddle touches the net or the net post when the ball is in play.
- There is a violation of a service rule.
- A ball in play strikes a player or anything the player is wearing or carrying.
- A ball in play strikes any permanent object before bouncing on the court.

DETERMINING SERVING TEAM

Any fair method can be used to determine which player or team has first choice of side, service, or receive. (Example: Write a one or two on the back of the score sheet.)

QUIRKY RULES YOU MAY NOT KNOW!

A player's body, clothing, or paddle can NEVER touch the net or net post.
The "10-Second Rule" basically means when the score is called, the server has 10 seconds to make sure the other team is ready and the serve completed.
Balls hitting lines are always good except when a kitchen line is hit on a serve. This is considered a fault.
An Ernie is the golden shot of pickleball. It occurs when a player steps outside the sideline of the court, bypassing the kitchen, to hit a volley near the net.
You can stand or go in the kitchen at any point during a game. You can already be in the kitchen and hit from the kitchen as long as the ball bounces in the kitchen first. You can also be in the kitchen as your partner volleys outside the kitchen.
If the ball hits any part of a player’s body other than the paddle or the paddle hand below the wrist, it’s a fault.
- The only exception: contact below the wrist on the paddle hand (or either hand if both are gripping the paddle) is allowed and the ball stays in play.

If the ball hits the receiver or their partner with the flight of the ball before it bounces, it is a fault against the receiving team. Bottom line, if the ball touches a player prior to bouncing (whether you are inside or outside the court boundaries), it is a fault.
Line calls should only be made by players on that section of the court. Players on line duty must give opponents the benefit of the doubt to keep fair play. Players shouldn't question an opponents call and spectators may never participate in line calls.
Heckling in pickleball is not allowed.