Pickleball 101: Rules, Court, and Scoring

What is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a two to four-player game, and pickleball rules combine ideas from several other racket sports like tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. One of the best parts about pickleball is that you can play on virtually any hard surface if space allows. All you need to play is a net, paddles, and pickleballs (wiffle-like balls with holes). Because it can be played indoors or outdoors, pickleball is an ideal sport for every season.

Featured Expert Advice: 5 Pickleball Essentials for Beginners

Basic Rules of Pickleball

Whether you are playing a game of singles or doubles, understanding the basic rules of the game is a key start to your pickleball journey!

Pickleball Court

A pickleball court is 20 feet long by 44 feet wide with a net that is 36 inches high at the sidelines. The court features key labeled areas, including the baseline, sidelines, and the non-volley zone.

Serving

All serves are hit diagonally crosscourt with at least one foot behind the baseline. You only get one attempt per turn, using either a drop serve or an underhand motion, making contact with the ball below your waist.

While these core mechanics apply to all games, the serving sequence depends on your format:

• Doubles: Both partners get a chance to serve until they fault, always starting a new side-out from the right-hand side. The only exception is the very first turn of a new game, where only one partner serves before turning the ball over.

• Singles: You serve from the right side when your score is even and the left side when it is odd.

Two-Bounce Rule

In pickleball, the ball must bounce once on each side of the net before it can be volleyed (hit out of the air). This two-bounce rule is a unique feature of the game that exists to keep the serving team from immediately rushing the net and dominating the point.

The Kitchen (No-Volley Zone)

The “kitchen” is a 7-foot non-volley zone located on either side of the net. It is designed specifically to prevent players from executing smashes near the net. Players are also strictly prohibited from stepping into this zone to make a volley. A common fault beginners make is allowing their momentum to carry them into the kitchen after hitting a volley.

Common Faults

A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation. If the receiving team commits a fault, the serving team scores a point, and if the serving team commits a fault, they lose their serve. Common faults include:

• Violating a service rule, such as a foot fault

• Volleying a ball from the non-volley zone

• Hitting the ball out of bounds

• Allowing the ball to bounce twice before striking it

• Hitting the ball into the net

Pickleball Scoring and Game Format

There are two ways to score in pickleball: the traditional side-out scoring and rally scoring. Depending on what you prefer, both formats deliver an exciting way to enjoy the game.

• Traditional "Side-Out" Scoring: Points are only scored by the serving team. A standard game is played to 11 points, and a team must win by a two-point margin.

• Rally Scoring: A point is scored after every rally regardless of which team is serving.

  It is also important to note that doubles and singles have relatively the same rules, aside from one minor change to side-out scoring. When playing doubles with traditional scoring, both partners will get a chance to serve before turning the ball over!

Frequently Asked Questions

Pickleball is a sport for anyone who has a desire to play. No matter your age or skill level, you can enjoy a fun and challenging game indoors or outside. If you have any questions about pickleball, visit your local SCHEELS store to meet with a Pickleball Expert!