10 Pickleball Rules Every Player Should Follow

Mehul Parikh

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in India and across the world. Loved for its simplicity, social nature, and mix of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, it’s easy to learn and fun to play. 

But to enjoy the game fully, every player should know the official pickleball rules. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, understanding the rules of the game ensures fair play and makes matches more exciting.

In this guide, we’ll cover the 10 pickleball rules every player should follow. You’ll also find a quick summary table to make it easier to remember and apply these rules on the court.

10 Pickleball Rules Every Player Should Follow

Quick Summary Table: 10 Pickleball Rules Every Player Should Follow

Rule No.

Pickleball Rule

Key Details

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1

Serving Must Be Underhand

Paddle must hit the ball below the waist in an upward motion

Overhand serves, hitting above the waist

2

Serve Must Land Diagonally

Ball must land in the opposite service box, outside the kitchen

Landing short in the kitchen or out of bounds

3

Double Bounce Rule

Both serve and return must bounce once before volleys

Volleying too early after the serve

4

No Volleys in the Kitchen

Players cannot volley while standing in the non-volley zone

Stepping on the line during a volley

5

Scoring System

Only serving team scores; games to 11, win by 2

Forgetting to call full score (server, receiver, server number)

6

One Serve Attempt

Only one chance to serve correctly

Hitting into net or out on first try

7

Line Calls

Ball is in if it touches any part of the line

Calling balls out when they touch the line

8

Faults

Out of bounds, kitchen violations, double hits

Not recognizing common faults

9

Switching Sides

Serving team switches sides after scoring

Forgetting to rotate properly

10

Keep It Fun

Sportsmanship and enjoyment matter most

Playing overly aggressive or unfair


Rule 1: Serving Must Be Underhand

The serve in pickleball must always be underhand. The paddle should make contact with the ball below the waist, and the motion must be upward. Unlike tennis, where serves can be powerful and overhand, pickleball keeps things fair with this rule.

Why this matters: It makes the game accessible to players of all ages and skill levels.

For better control of serves, you can try premium pickleball paddles, which are designed for accuracy and comfort.

Rule 2: Serve Must Land in the Opposite Service Court

The serve should always travel diagonally and land in the correct service court. It must not land in the non-volley zone (kitchen).

Mistakes to avoid:

  • Serving too short in the kitchen.
  • Hitting too long, out of bounds.
  • Serving into the net.

This rule ensures players focus on precision rather than raw power.

Rule 3: The Double Bounce Rule

Pickleball’s famous double-bounce rule means:

  1. The receiving team must let the ball bounce once before hitting it.
  2. The serving team must also let the return bounce once.

Only after this can players start volleying.

Why this is important: It prevents rallies from ending too quickly and gives both sides time to prepare.

Rule 4: No Volleys in the Kitchen

The non-volley zone (kitchen) is the 7-foot space near the net. Players cannot volley while standing in this zone.

Kitchen faults include:

  • Stepping on the line while volleying.
  • Entering the kitchen due to momentum after a volley.

This keeps rallies balanced and reduces unfair net domination.

Rule 5: Scoring System in Pickleball

Pickleball has a unique scoring format:

  • Only the serving team can score points.
  • Games are usually played to 11 points.
  • A team must win by 2 points.
  • Scores are called in three numbers: server’s score, receiver’s score, and server number.

Example: If the server’s team has 5 points, the opponents have 3, and it’s the first server, the score is “5-3-1.”

Rule 6: One Serve Attempt

Players get only one chance to serve correctly. If it goes into the net or lands out of bounds, it’s a fault.

Impact: This speeds up the game and encourages players to focus on accuracy instead of retries.

Rule 7: Line Calls

Balls are considered “in” if they touch any part of the line. Players themselves are responsible for making calls.

Tip: If you are unsure, always give the benefit of the doubt to your opponent. Pickleball thrives on honesty and sportsmanship.

Rule 8: Faults in Pickleball

A fault stops play and results in a loss of serve or point. Common faults include:

  • Hitting the ball out of bounds.
  • Volleying in the kitchen.
  • Double hits or misses on serve.

Knowing these avoids unnecessary point losses and keeps the game fair.

Rule 9: Switching Sides

After scoring, the serving team switches sides of the court. This ensures fairness and variation, preventing one-sided advantages.

It also adds strategy since players must adjust to new angles and opponents.

Rule 10: Keep It Fun

Beyond all the rules of pickleball, the most important thing is to enjoy the sport. Pickleball is designed to be social, active, and fun for everyone.

Why fun matters: Respect, honesty, and friendly competition build the pickleball community stronger than just winning points.

Learning the 10 pickleball rules every player should follow helps beginners avoid mistakes and allows advanced players to sharpen their game. From underhand serves to respecting the kitchen, these rules of the game are designed for fairness, balance, and fun.

If you want to improve your skills and take your game to the next level, investing in the right gear can make a significant difference. Explore premium pickleball paddles to serve with confidence and return shots with precision.

By following the official pickleball rules and playing with the right attitude, you’ll not only perform better but also enjoy the true spirit of pickleball.

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