Understanding the Official Pickleball Rules

Pickleball is a fast-growing sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It’s a fun and social game that can be played by people of all ages and skill levels. But like any sport, pickleball has its own set of rules that players must follow to ensure a fair and enjoyable game. In this article, we’ll dive into the official pickleball rules and explain everything you need to know to play the game.

The Basics of Pickleball

Before we get into the rules, let’s quickly go over the basics of pickleball. The game is played on a court that is similar in size to a badminton court, with a net that is slightly lower than a tennis net. Players use a paddle to hit a plastic ball over the net, and the objective is to score points by hitting the ball in a way that the other team cannot return it. Pickleball can be played in singles or doubles, and the first team to reach 11 points, with a lead of at least 2 points, wins the game.

The Serve

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The serve is the first shot of each point in pickleball. The server must stand behind the baseline and hit the ball underhand, making contact with the ball below the waist. The serve must be hit diagonally across the court, and it must land in the opposite service court. The server must also keep one foot behind the baseline until the ball is struck. If the serve is not successful, it is considered a fault and the serve goes to the other team.

Scoring

Points are only awarded to the serving team in pickleball. If the serving team wins the point, they get to serve again. If the receiving team wins the point, they become the serving team. The first team to reach 11 points, with a lead of at least 2 points, wins the game. In tournament play, games are typically played to 15 or 21 points.

Faults

A fault is any violation of the rules that results in the loss of the point. Some common faults in pickleball include:

• Not hitting the serve underhand
• Not hitting the serve below the waist
• Not hitting the serve diagonally across the court
• Stepping on or over the baseline while serving
• Hitting the ball out of bounds
• Hitting the ball into the net
• Hitting the ball before it bounces on the receiving team’s side
• Hitting the ball out of order (in doubles play)

The Official Pickleball Rules

Now that you have a basic understanding of the game, let’s dive into the official pickleball rules. These rules are set by the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) and are used in all sanctioned tournaments and events.

The Court

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The pickleball court is a rectangular area that measures 20 feet wide and 44 feet long. The court is divided into two equal halves by a net that is 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches high in the middle. The court is also marked with lines that indicate the boundaries of the playing area. These lines include the baseline, the service court, and the non-volley zone.

The Serve

The serve must be hit underhand and must be made with the paddle below the waist. The server must keep one foot behind the baseline until the ball is struck. The serve must also be hit diagonally across the court, starting from the right-hand service court and alternating between the right and left-hand service courts for each point.

The Double Bounce Rule

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The double bounce rule is a unique rule in pickleball that requires the ball to bounce once on each side of the net before players can start volleying. This means that the receiving team must let the serve bounce before returning it, and the serving team must let the return bounce before hitting it back. After the ball has bounced on both sides, players can then choose to volley the ball (hit it in the air) or let it bounce before hitting it.

The Non-Volley Zone

The non-volley zone, also known as the “kitchen”, is a 7-foot area on either side of the net. Players are not allowed to enter this zone and hit a volley (hit the ball in the air) unless the ball bounces in the non-volley zone first. This rule is in place to prevent players from getting too close to the net and dominating the game with volleys.

Serving Rotation

In doubles play, both players on the serving team get a chance to serve before the serve goes to the other team. The first serve is always made from the right-hand service court, and the server must alternate between the right and left-hand service courts for each point. If the serving team wins the point, the server gets to serve again. If the receiving team wins the point, they become the serving team, and the player who served the previous point gets to serve again.

Scoring

Points are only awarded to the serving team in pickleball. The first team to reach 11 points, with a lead of at least 2 points, wins the game. In tournament play, games are typically played to 15 or 21 points.

Common Misconceptions About Pickleball Rules

There are a few common misconceptions about pickleball rules that are important to clear up.

The Ball Must Bounce on the Serve

Many people believe that the ball must bounce on the serve, but this is not true. The serve must be hit underhand and must be made with the paddle below the waist, but it does not have to bounce before the receiving team returns it.

The Ball Must Bounce on the Return

Similarly, many people believe that the ball must bounce on the return, but this is also not true. The double bounce rule only applies to the first two shots of each point. After that, players can choose to volley the ball or let it bounce before hitting it.

The Ball Must Bounce in the Non-Volley Zone

Some people believe that the ball must bounce in the non-volley zone before players can enter and hit a volley, but this is not true. The non-volley zone only applies to volleys made from outside the zone. If the ball bounces in the non-volley zone, players can enter and hit a volley.

Conclusion

Pickleball is a fun and social game that is easy to learn but takes time to master. By understanding the official pickleball rules, you can ensure a fair and enjoyable game for all players. Remember to always follow the rules and have fun on the court!