Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States — and it’s easy to see why. It’s fun, social, and easy to learn. But before you hit the court, it’s important to understand the basic rules that make pickleball unique.
Whether you’re new to the game or brushing up your knowledge, here are the 7 essential rules of pickleball that every player should know.
âś… 1. The Ball Must Stay In Bounds
Just like tennis, the ball must land within the lines on the court.
If the ball lands outside the sideline or baseline, it’s out.
In doubles and singles, the court boundaries differ slightly — so make sure you know your lines!
📝 Tip: Practice aiming your shots inside the court, especially when you’re near the baseline.
âś… 2. One Bounce Per Side (Double Bounce Rule)
Pickleball has a unique twist: after the serve, the ball must bounce once on each side before players are allowed to hit volleys.
This is known as the Double Bounce Rule.
It slows down the pace initially and keeps the rally fair for both sides.
đź“ť Why it matters: It prevents players from rushing the net too quickly after serving.
âś… 3. Serve Must Be Underhand
Unlike tennis, all serves in pickleball must be:
Underhand
Contacted below the waist
Hit diagonally cross-court
Land beyond the non-volley zone (kitchen)
📌 Only one serve attempt is allowed (unless there’s a let — when the serve hits the net and lands in the correct service box).
âś… 4. No Volleys in the Kitchen
The kitchen — officially called the non-volley zone — is a 7-foot area on both sides of the net. Here’s what you need to know:
You cannot volley (hit the ball in the air) while standing in the kitchen.
You can enter the kitchen to hit a ball that has bounced.
After hitting in the kitchen, exit before volleying again.
🚫 This rule prevents “spiking” the ball unfairly close to the net.
âś… 5. Serving Rotation in Doubles
Pickleball has a unique serving system, especially in doubles:
Only the serving team can score points.
In doubles, both players get a chance to serve before the serve passes to the other team.
The only exception is the first server of the game, where only one serve is allowed.
📝 Keep track of your serving position — it determines who serves next!
âś… 6. Games Are Played to 11 (Win by 2)
A standard pickleball game is played:
To 11 points
You must win by 2 (e.g., 11–9 is not a win; 11–9 is)
Tournament games might go to 15 or 21
Only the serving team scores a point when they win a rally.
âś… 7. Lines Are In
In pickleball, the rules are simple:
If the ball touches any part of the line, it’s considered in.
This includes the baseline, sideline, and service line.
The only exception is during the serve — if the serve hits the kitchen line, it’s a fault.
📝 Practice tip: Watch slow-motion replays of serves to see line calls — accuracy matters!
🎯 Final Thoughts
Pickleball is easy to learn, but mastering the rules gives you a real edge on the court. From the double bounce rule to staying out of the kitchen during volleys, these 7 core rules ensure fair play, fun, and flow during every game.
So next time you step onto the court, you’ll not only play better — you’ll play smarter!
