Beginners Guide to Pickleball Rules

Here’s a beginner's guide to the basic rules of pickleball:

1. Court Dimensions

• Size: A pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long for doubles (the same dimensions for singles).
• Net Height: The net is 36 inches high at the ends and 34 inches high in the middle.

2. Equipment

• Paddle: Players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials.
• Ball: The game is played with a plastic ball with holes, similar to a wiffle ball.

3. Scoring

• Points: Only the serving team can score points. You score when the opposing team fails to return the ball.
• Games: Matches are typically played to 11 points, but you must win by at least 2 points.

4. Serving

• Serve Position: The server must stand behind the baseline and hit the ball diagonally to the opponent's service area.
• Underhand Serve: The serve must be made underhand, with the paddle below the waist.
• Bounce Rule: The ball must bounce once on each side before players can hit it in the air (the "two-bounce rule").

5. Gameplay

• Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen): A 7-foot area on both sides of the net where players cannot volley the ball (hit it before it bounces). Players can enter this zone to play a ball that has bounced.
• Rally: Players alternate hitting the ball over the net. The game continues until one side fails to return the ball.

6. Faults

A fault occurs when:

• The ball is hit out of bounds.
• The ball does not clear the net.
• A player volleys the ball while standing in the non-volley zone.
• The ball is struck before it has bounced on the player’s side.

7. Rotating Serve

• In doubles, players on the serving team will alternate serving after each point won. When they lose the serve, the other team gets to serve.

8. Winning the Game

• The first team to reach 11 points wins, but must lead by at least 2 points. Some games are played to 15 or 21 points, also with a 2-point margin required.

Tips for Beginners

• Practice Serving: Good serves can put your opponents on the defensive.
• Stay out of the Kitchen: Learn to recognize when to stay back and when it's okay to enter the non-volley zone.
• Communicate with Your Partner: Especially in doubles, good communication can help avoid confusion and improve teamwork.

Enjoy playing pickleball! It’s a fun and engaging sport suitable for all ages and skill levels.