Pickleball Rules

Here are the basic rules for pickleball. These rules will help you understand and play the game correctly.

Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen)

The non-volley zone, often called the 'kitchen', is a 7-foot (2.13 meter) area extending from the net on both sides of the court. Special rules apply in this zone: volleys (hitting the ball out of the air) are not allowed when a player is standing in the non-volley zone or touching its line. To execute a volley correctly, both feet must be outside this zone – at least 7 feet from the net.

The purpose of this rule is to prevent aggressive smashes directly at the net. Of course, a player may enter the non-volley zone to hit the ball, but only after the ball has bounced there. Direct volleys while in this zone are not permitted.

Non-Volley Zone

Serving Rules

  • Each new serve begins from the right side of the court and must be performed in the air – the ball must not touch the ground before being hit.
  • Both feet of the serving player must remain behind the baseline. Neither foot may touch the line, nor may a foot be in the court before the ball is struck.
  • There is only one serve attempt – with the exception of a 'let serve', which is replayed if the ball touches the net but still lands correctly in the service court.
  • The serve must be performed underhand, with the ball contact below the waist, and the paddle must not be above the wrist at the time of contact.
  • Before serving, the player must announce the score aloud – consisting of three numbers: the server's points, the opponent's points, and a '1' or '2' depending on whether it's the first or second server.
  • The serve must land beyond the non-volley zone on the opposite side. The ball can only be returned after it bounces once.
  • In doubles, the serving team begins with only one serve – so the first announced score is: 0-0-2. After that, each team gets two serves before the serve changes sides.
Serving Rules

Double Bounce Rule

  • The first return after the serve can only be played after the ball bounces once on the ground.
  • This also applies to the second shot – the return from the serving team must also be played after a bounce.
  • Only after these two bounces may balls be played directly from the air (volleys) again.
  • This rule ensures a fair start to the rally and promotes longer exchanges.
Double-Bounce Rule

Scoring & Service Changes

  • In the game, both players of a team may continue to serve and score points until they make an error. Exception: The first service game of a match – here only one player may serve.
  • Each new serve within a 'side-out' (change of service right) begins from the right side of the court.
  • After each point won, the serving player changes sides: right for even scores, left for odd scores.
  • If the first server makes an error, the partner takes over – serving from the side corresponding to the score.
  • Once both players of a team make an error while serving, the service right goes to the opposing team.
  • In singles, the serve is also determined by the score: even = right side serve, odd = left side serve.
  • A game is won at 11 points – but only if a team leads by at least two points. Otherwise, play continues until this margin is reached.
Scoring & Service Change

Additional Important Rules

Faults

  • The ball is hit out of bounds or into the net.
  • A player touches the net or net post during play.
  • A player crosses the non-volley line during a volley or is carried into the zone by momentum.

Lets

  • The serve touches the net but lands correctly in the service court.
  • A ball from another court disrupts play.
  • Unforeseen disturbances (e.g., sudden loud noises).

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