10 Pickleball Rules for Beginners

December 23, 2022

Pickleball is a fun and easy-to-learn sport that is perfect for players of all ages and skill levels. It is played on a smaller court with a lower net and a lightweight ball, and the rules are similar to those of tennis. Whether you are new to pickleball or an experienced player, it is important to familiarize yourself with the rules of the game in order to have a fair and enjoyable match. Below is a list of the most important rules to keep in mind while playing pickleball.

The ball must be served over the net and into the opponent's service area diagonal from the server, just like tennis.
The ball can only bounce once on each side of the court before it must be hit back over the net.
The Kitchen is the front area on both sides of the net. Players cannot volley here, but must allow the ball to bounce before they can hit it. They must then exit the kitchen area.
Players cannot step into the kitchen even after hitting a ball out of the air.
A point is scored when the ball hits the ground on the opponent's side of the court and is not returned, or when the opponent hits the ball out of bounds or into the net.
The right side always serves first. When Server 1 loses a point, they transfer their serve to their teammate. When Server 2 loses a point, it's the other team's turn to serve.
The first team to score 11 points and have a lead of at least two points wins the game.
The server must hit the ball with an underhanded motion.
There are no lets in Pickleball. If the ball hits the net and lands in the service area, it's fair play.
The serving team must let the return from the receiving team bounce before they hit it.