Pickleball Rules Explained: A Simple Guide
Pickleball has a small set of core rules that cover the serve, the double-bounce rule, the non-volley zone (the kitchen) and scoring to 11, win by 2. Once these four pieces click, the rest of the game follows naturally. Here is a clear, accurate walkthrough of each one.
Written byTeam Custom Your Pickleball
Pickleball rules look intimidating on paper because of terms like “kitchen” and “double-bounce”, but in practice they are quick to pick up on court. Below is the core rule set, explained in the order you actually encounter it during a game.
The court and net
A pickleball court measures 44 feet by 20 feet (about 13.4m by 6.1m), the same size as a doubles badminton court. The net is 36 inches high at the sidelines and drops slightly to 34 inches at the center. A line 7 feet from the net on both sides marks the non-volley zone, better known as the kitchen.
The core rules at a glance
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Serve | Underhand, hit diagonally into the opposite service area, below waist height |
| Double-bounce rule | The serve and the return of serve must each bounce once before being volleyed |
| Non-volley zone (kitchen) | The 7 ft zone on each side of the net where you cannot volley the ball (hit it before it bounces) |
| Scoring | Games are played to 11 points, win by 2, only the serving side can score a point |
| Switching sides | Partners switch sides of their own court after each point their team scores, so the next serve goes from the other box |
1. The serve
Every point starts with an underhand serve, struck below waist height, sending the ball diagonally into the opponent's service area on the other side of the court. The serve must clear the net and land beyond the kitchen line, inside the correct diagonal service box.
2. The double-bounce rule
After the serve, the receiving side must let the ball bounce once before returning it. The serving side must then also let that return bounce once before hitting it back. Only after these two bounces can either side start volleying the ball (hitting it before it touches the ground). This rule slows the opening of each rally down and prevents the serving side from rushing the net immediately.
3. The non-volley zone, or “kitchen”
The kitchen is the 7 ft zone directly next to the net on both sides. You are not allowed to volley the ball while standing inside this zone, or even if your momentum carries you into it right after hitting a volley. You can step into the kitchen to hit a ball that has already bounced, then step back out. This rule is what gives pickleball its distinctive, patient net play: players have to earn the right to close in, rather than camping at the net and smashing every ball.
4. Scoring
Games are usually played to 11 points, and you need to win by at least 2 points. Only the serving side can score a point, similar to old-style volleyball scoring. If the serving side wins the rally, they score a point and the server continues (switching service box). If the receiving side wins the rally, no one scores, but the serve passes to the other side, known as a side out.
5. Switching sides and rotation
In doubles, each time your team scores a point, you and your partner switch which service box you are standing in, so the next serve is hit from the opposite side of your court. This keeps rotation simple: you always know where to stand by tracking your own score.
Putting it together
A rally in practice looks like this: underhand serve diagonally, return must bounce, serve-side return must also bounce, then both sides can volley freely except inside the kitchen. Whoever wins the rally either scores (if serving) or gains the serve (if receiving). Repeat until one side reaches 11 with a 2-point lead.
Once you understand these five pieces, the rest of your first games is really just getting a feel for the ball and the pace of play. A paddle that fits your hand and playing style helps that learning curve. You can design your own custom pickleball paddle for €39, incl. VAT, with a carbon hitting surface and your own design on the face, made in the Netherlands and shipped across the EU within 7 days.
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