Basic Rules of Pickleball

May 11, 2024

Basic Rules of Pickleball
From USAPickleball.org:

    • Pickleball is played either as doubles (two players per team) or singles; doubles is most common.
    • The same size playing area and rules are used for both singles and doubles.

The Serve

    • The server’s arm must be moving in an upward arc when the ball is struck.
    • Paddle contact with the ball must not be made above the waist level.
    • The head of the paddle must not be above the highest part of the wrist at contact.
    • A ‘drop serve’ is also permitted in which case none of the elements above apply.
    • At the time the ball is struck, the server’s feet may not touch the court or outside the imaginary extension of the sideline or centerline and at least one foot must be behind the baseline on the playing surface or the ground behind the baseline.
    • The serve is made diagonally crosscourt and must land within the confines of the opposite diagonal court.
    • Only one serve attempt is allowed per server.

Serving Sequence

    • Both players on the serving doubles team have the opportunity to serve and score points until they commit a fault *(except for the first service sequence of each new game).
    • The first serve of each side-out is made from the right/even court.
    • If a point is scored, the server switches sides and the server initiates the next serve from the left/odd court.
    • As subsequent points are scored, the server continues switching back and forth until a fault is committed, and the first server loses the serve.
    • When the first server loses the serve the partner then serves from their correct side of the court (except for the first service sequence of the game*).
    • The second server continues serving until his team commits a fault and loses the serve to the opposing team.
    • Once the service goes to the opposition (at side out), the first serve is from the right/even court and both players on that team have the opportunity to serve and score points until their team commits two faults.
    • In singles the server serves from the right/even court when his or her score is even and from the left/odd when the score is odd.

 

      *At the beginning of each new game only one partner on the serving team has the opportunity to serve before faulting, after which the service passes to the receiving team.

Scoring

    • Points are scored only by the serving team.
    • Games are normally played to 11 points, win by 2.
    • Tournament games may be to 15 or 21, win by 2.
    • When the serving team’s score is even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) the player who was the first server in the game for that team will be in the right/even court when serving or receiving; when odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) that player will be in the left/odd court when serving or receiving.

Two-Bounce Rule

    • When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce before returning, and then the serving team must let it bounce before returning, thus two bounces.
    • After the ball has bounced once in each team’s court, both teams may either volley the ball (hit the ball before it bounces) or play it off a bounce (ground stroke).
    • The two-bounce rule eliminates the serve and volley advantage and extends rallies.

Line Calls

    • A ball contacting any part of any line, except the non-volley zone line on a serve, is considered “in.”.
    • A serve contacting the non-volley zone line is short and a fault.

Non-Volley Zone

    • The non-volley zone is the court area within 7 feet on both sides of the net.
    • Volleying is prohibited within the non-volley zone. This rule prevents players from executing smashes from a position within the zone.
    • It is a fault if, when volleying a ball, the player steps on the non-volley zone, including the line and/or when the player’s momentum causes them or anything they are wearing or carrying to touch the non-volley zone including the associated lines.
    • It is a fault if, after volleying, a player is carried by momentum into or touches the non-volley zone, even if the volleyed ball is declared dead before this happens.
    • A player may legally be in the non-volley zone any time other than when volleying a ball.
    • The non-volley zone is commonly referred to as “the kitchen.”.

Faults

    • A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation.
    • A fault by the receiving team results in a point for the serving team.
    • A fault by the serving team results in the server’s loss of serve or side out.

Determining Serving Team

  • Any fair method can be used to determine which player or team has first choice of side, service, or receive. (Example: coin flip).

 

Adaptive / Wheelchair Rules
From USAPickleball.org:

The following is a quick reference guide for Wheelchair players, as well as referees, identifying rules unique to Wheelchair play from the 2022 USA Pickleball Rulebook.

Section 1 – The Game – Unique Features
Players using wheelchairs may allow the ball to bounce twice before returning the ball. The second bounce can be anywhere on the playing surface.

Section 2 – Court And Equipment
2.A.4 – The recommended playing surface area for Wheelchair play is 44 feet (13.41 m) wide and 74 feet (22,55 m) long. The size for Wheelchair play in a stadium court is 50 ft (15.24 m) wide by 80 feet (24.38 m) long.

Section 3 – Definitions
3.A.46 – Players using Wheelchairs – Any person, with or without a disability, who plays the game in a wheelchair. The wheelchair is considered part of the player’s body. This can be a player with a disability or anyone that wants to play in a wheelchair.

Section 4 – The Serve, Service Sequence, And Scoring Rules
4.A.4.d – The moment the ball is served: Both rear wheels must be on the playing surface behind the baseline and may not touch the court on or inside the baseline or outside the imaginary extensions of the sideline or centerline.

Section 7 – Fault Rules
7.E – Failure of a player using a wheelchair to return a ball before it bounces three times on the receiving player’s side of the net.

Section 9 – Non-Volley-Zone Rules
9.A – All volleys must be initiated outside of the non-volley zone. For players using wheelchairs, the front (smaller) wheels may touch the non-volley zone during a volley.
9.B – It is a fault if the volleying player or anything that has contact with the volleying player while in the act of volleying, touches the non-volley zone. For players using wheelchairs, the front (smaller) wheels may touch the non-volley zone.
9.C – During the act of volleying, it is a fault if the volleying player’s momentum causes the player to contact anything that is touching the non-volley zone, including the player’s partner. For players using wheelchairs, the front (smaller) wheels may touch the non-volley zone.
9.D – If the rear wheels of a wheelchair have touched the non-volley zone for any reason, the player using a wheelchair cannot volley a return until both rear wheels have made contact with the playing surface outside the non-volley zone.

Section 12 – Sanctioned Tournament Policies
12.A Event Categories – Wheelchair: Singles and Doubles
12.A.3 – Players using wheelchairs may play in Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles or Mixed Doubles with either standup partners or wheelchair doubles.