Pickleball Rules: Complete Guide

Serving Rules

The serve must be performed underhand with the paddle contacting the ball below the server's waist (navel level). The serve is made diagonally crosscourt and must clear the non-volley zone (including the line). The server must keep both feet behind the baseline when serving, with at least one foot on the playing surface.

In 2023, the "drop serve" was permanently adopted, allowing players to drop the ball from any natural height and hit it after it bounces. This makes serving easier for beginners. The traditional volley serve (hitting the ball out of the air) is also permitted. The ball cannot be thrown, tossed upward, or propelled downward before the drop.

Only one serve attempt is allowed (no lets on serve since 2024). If the serve hits the net and lands in the correct service court, it is a live ball and play continues. This rule change sped up the game significantly.

Scoring System

Traditional pickleball uses side-out scoring: only the serving team can score points. Games are played to 11 points, win by 2, with tournament games sometimes played to 15 or 21. The score is called as three numbers in doubles — the serving team's score, receiving team's score, and server number (1 or 2).

Rally scoring (where either team can score on any rally) has been adopted for some professional and recreational formats. Under rally scoring, games are typically played to 21, win by 2, and the format creates faster, more TV-friendly matches. Many recreational leagues now offer both options.

The Two-Bounce Rule

The two-bounce rule (also called the double-bounce rule) requires the ball to bounce once on each side before volleys are allowed. The receiving team must let the serve bounce before returning it, and the serving team must let the return of serve bounce before playing it. After these two bounces, both teams may volley or play the ball off the bounce.

This rule is fundamental to pickleball strategy. It prevents the serving team from rushing the net immediately after serving (as in tennis) and creates more balanced rallies. Understanding when you can and cannot volley is critical for competitive play.

The Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen)

The non-volley zone, commonly called "the kitchen," extends 7 feet from the net on each side. Players may not volley (hit the ball out of the air) while standing in or touching any part of the kitchen, including the kitchen line. A player's momentum after a volley cannot carry them into the kitchen either — this is a fault.

Players may enter the kitchen at any time to play a ball that has bounced. After hitting a bounced ball in the kitchen, a player must re-establish position outside the kitchen before volleying again. Any item that falls into the kitchen during a volley (hat, paddle, sunglasses) is also considered a fault.

The kitchen rule is what makes pickleball strategically unique. It prevents net-dominant play and creates the "dink" game — soft, arcing shots hit just over the net into the kitchen that both teams trade until someone creates an attackable ball.

Faults & Line Calls

A fault ends the rally. Common faults include: hitting the ball out of bounds, hitting the ball into the net, volleying in the non-volley zone, violating the serve rules, and the ball bouncing twice on one side. In pickleball, all lines are "in" except the non-volley zone line on a serve (the serve must clear the kitchen entirely).

In recreational play, line calls are made by the team on whose side the ball lands, and calls should be made promptly. In tournament play, referees and line judges may be used. If there is any doubt about whether a ball was in or out, the benefit goes to the opposing team.

Frequently Asked Questions