Pickleball Rules - Easy Guide for Players

1. Teams & Court

• Played as singles (1v1) or doubles (2v2).
  
  
• Court size: 20 ft x 44 ft.
  
  
• Net height: 36" at sidelines, 34" at center.
  
  

Kitchen: 7 ft non-volley zone on both sides.

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2. Scoring

• Games to 11 points (win by 2).
  
  
• Only the serving team scores.
  
  
• Tournament games may go to 15 or 21.
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3. Serving

• Serve underhand, below the waist, paddle moving upward.
  
  
• Serve diagonally into opponent’s box.
  
  
• One serve attempt (let serves replayed).
  
  
• Server continues until a fault.

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4. Double Bounce Rule

• Ball must bounce once on each side before volleys are allowed.
  

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5. Kitchen Rules

• No volleys in the kitchen (or touching the kitchen line).
  
  
• Momentum after a volley cannot carry you into the kitchen.
  
  
• You may play shots that bounce in the kitchen.

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6. Faults

• Ball lands out of bounds.
  
  
• Ball hits the net and doesn’t cross.
  
  
• Ball bounces twice before return.
  
  
• Volleying before double bounce rule.
  
  
• Volleying inside the kitchen.

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7. Rotation & Score Calling

• In doubles: both teammates serve before a side-out.
  
  
• Score is called as server score – receiver score – server number (1 or 2).
  
  
• First serve of the game starts with “0-0-2”.
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🌟 Play fair, respect the court, and enjoy the rally!
👉 Ready to play? Host or join your next pickleball match on SportyMatch.