Pickleball is a racquet sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis & ping pong. Two or four players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a perforated ball, similar to a wiffle ball, over a net. Pickleball was invented mid 1960’s as a children’s backyard game but has recently become popular among adults of all ages.
Welcome to Pickleball!
We hope these basic rules will help you get started
When you encounter a gap in these rules, make something up that both teams agree on. “House Rules”. If you aren’t the creative type or you’re getting much more competitive, visit the official rules.
GENERAL RULES OF PLAY
- Play doubles or singles
- Play Single Game or Match Play
- Single Game: Game to 15, win by two
- Match Play: Game to 11, win by two. Best 2 out 3- alternating net sides between games.
- The Kitchen (Non- Volley Zone): You cannot enter the kitchen unless the ball bounces in it first
- Double Bounce Rule: The serve and the return serve must bounce 1 time before the other team returns the hit. Once 2 bounces happen, you may “Volley” - hit the ball in the air without it bouncing first (read this rule again, it’s important to the game of pickleball)
SERVICE
Serve from behind the baseline (on the right side) to the opposite/diagonal playing court.
- Must be below the waist and go past the non-volley zone “kitchen”
- You keep serving, alternating left/right side until you lose the point
- In doubles, both partners have a chance to serve before the serve goes back to the other team
SCORING
- Single Game: Game to 15, win by two
- Match Play: Game to 11, win by two
- You only score when you’re serving.
- SINGLES: Score is kept in this format: Serving Team Score- Receiving team score
- DOUBLES: Serving Team Score- Receiving team score-first/second server
- i.e. 5-4-1, or 9-6-2. (The 3rd number is only used in doubles scoring)
Have fun!
Pickleball Courts Gallery
