Pickleball, a fast-growing racquet sport, is a delightful blend of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. Easy to learn and immensely enjoyable, this game is suitable for players of all ages and skill levels. In this blog, we will explore the basic rules of pickleball to help you get started and enjoy the game to the fullest.

Court and Equipment

Pickleball is typically played on a court with the same dimensions as a badminton court (20 feet wide by 44 feet long). The net is set at a height of 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches at the center. Players use solid paddles and a perforated plastic ball, which resembles a Wiffle ball.

Serving

The game begins with a serve from the right-hand side of the court. The server must keep one foot behind the baseline and diagonally serve the ball into the opponent’s service area. The ball must clear the net and land in the diagonal service box to be valid.

Double Bounce Rule

After the serve, both teams must let the ball bounce once on each side (serving and returning) before they can start volleying the ball (hitting it in the air). This double bounce rule helps level the playing field and extends rallies.

Scoring

Pickleball follows the rally scoring system, meaning points are scored on every serve. A point is awarded when the serving team wins the rally. The server’s score is always mentioned first. Games are typically played to 11 points, but some variations may set the goal at 15 or 21 points.

Faults

Several faults can occur during play, leading to the loss of the serve or points for the opposing team. Common faults include stepping on or beyond the baseline while serving, hitting the ball out of bounds, volleying before the double bounce, and touching the net during play.

Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) Rule

Also known as the “kitchen,” the non-volley zone is the area within seven feet of the net. Players are not allowed to volley the ball (hit it in the air) while standing inside this zone. A player may not enter the NVZ after volleying the ball. No part of the player may touch the NVZ when volleying the ball. E.g. Hand, paddle or clothing cannot touch the NVZ. However, they can step into the NVZ to hit a ball that has bounced.

Faults on the Serve
On the serve, if the ball fails to clear the net, lands out of bounds, or lands in the non-volley zone, on the line of the NVZ, it results in a fault, and the serve passes to the opposing team.

Pickleball is an exciting and social sport that encourages camaraderie and physical activity. By following these basic rules, you can confidently step onto the court and engage in a fun-filled pickleball experience. Remember, like any sport, the more you play, the better you become, so don’t hesitate to practice and enjoy the game with friends and family!