PICKLEBALL HANDBOOK OF RULES

Pickleball Handbook: How to Play & Rules

Introduction to Pickleball

  • Pickleball is a paddle sport combining tennis, badminton, and ping-pong.

  • Played with a paddle and perforated ball on a smaller court.

  • Objective: hit the ball over the net and into the opponent’s court.

The Pickleball Court & Equipment

  • Court Size: 20 x 44 ft.

  • Net Height: 36 inches (sidelines), 34 inches (center).

  • Kitchen: 7-foot non-volley zone on both sides of the net.

  • Equipment: Paddle, Pickleball, Athletic Shoes.

Serving Rules

  • Serve must be underhand and below waist level.

  • Serve diagonally across the court.

  • The ball must clear the kitchen and land in the service box.

  • In doubles, each side gets two serves (except the first serve of the game).

Double Bounce Rule

  • The ball must bounce once on each side before volleys.

  • Prevents immediate smash advantage.

The Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone)

  • No volleying inside the 7-foot zone.

  • You may enter the kitchen only after the ball bounces.

Scoring in Pickleball

  • Only the serving team scores points.

  • Games go to 11 (win by 2).

  • Doubles scoring uses three numbers: server’s score – opponent’s score – server number.

Faults & Rule Violations

  • Ball lands out of bounds.

  • The ball hits the net and fails to cross.

  • Volleying inside the kitchen.

  • The ball bounces twice on one side.

Singles vs. Doubles

  • Singles: server position depends on even/odd score.

  • Doubles: teammates alternate serving until both lose serve.

Basic Strategies

  • Serve deep to push opponents back.

  • Use dinks to force opponents forward.

  • Stay side by side with a partner in doubles.

  • Control and consistency win over power.

Etiquette & Sportsmanship

  • Call out the score before each serve.

  • Be honest with line calls.

  • Rotate courts fairly in recreational play.

  • Maintain a positive attitude.

Quick Reference Checklist

  • ✅ Serve underhand and diagonally.

  • ✅ Let ball bounce once per side after serve/return.

  • ✅ No volleys in kitchen.

  • ✅ Only serving team scores.

  • ✅ Games to 11, win by 2.

  • ✅ Call score before serving.