Learn the Rules of Pickleball Before Your First Match
Court size, the kitchen, serving, the two-bounce rule and scoring, condensed for your first game.
The game is quick to pick up. Read this and you can be trading rallies in your first session.
Court and net
The court measures 20 by 44 feet whether you play singles or doubles. Net height is 36 inches at the posts and 34 at the middle. A 7-foot band on each side of the net forms the non-volley zone, nicknamed the kitchen.
Serving
Serve underhand, diagonally across the court, and clear the kitchen. Only the serving side can earn points.
Two bounces to start
The serve must bounce once before the receiver returns it. Then the serving side must let that return bounce once before volleying. After those two bounces, anyone may volley.
Kitchen etiquette
You may not volley while standing in the kitchen or on its line, and momentum from a volley cannot carry you in. Stepping in to hit a ball that has already bounced is fine.
Keeping score
Games typically go to 11, and you need a two-point margin. In doubles you call three numbers: your score, your opponents’ score, and whether you are the first or second server.
Typical faults
- Sending the ball out
- Putting it in the net
- Volleying from within the kitchen
- Serving into the kitchen
Casual and sanctioned play differ in small ways, so consult the official rulebook before entering events. Ready to play? See how to mark out a court and use the starter gear checklist.