Must-Know Pickleball Rules for Beginners

These basics will carry you through your first rallies—and help you love the game from day one.

The Court & Teams

• Play doubles (most common) or singles.

• Net height: 34" at center, 36" at posts.

• The Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) or “kitchen” spans 7 ft on each side of the net.

The Serve (Underhand Only)

• Serve diagonally to the opposite service box.

• Underhand motion, contact below the waist.

• One attempt (let serves that land in are typically replayed).

• In doubles, the right-side player serves first for each team.

The Double-Bounce Rule

After the serve:

1. The returner must let the serve bounce once.

2. The serving team must let the return bounce once.
   Only after those two bounces may either team volley (hit in the air).

The Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone)

• You cannot volley (hit in the air) while standing in the kitchen or touching the kitchen line.

• You may enter the kitchen to play a ball that has bounced, then step out to volley the next one.

Scoring Basics (Rally Only for the Serving Team)

• Games typically go to 11, win by 2.

• Only the serving team scores points.

• The score is called server’s score – receiver’s score – server number (1 or 2) in doubles.

Common Faults

• Volleying in the kitchen or on the kitchen line.

• Hitting the ball out or into the net.

• Foot faults on the serve (stepping on/over baseline).

• Serving to the wrong box.

Beginner Tips for a Smooth First Game

• Aim your returns deep; keep dinks soft into the kitchen.

• Move with your partner—side-to-side and up together.

• Call “out” balls confidently and respectfully.

FAQ

• Do I have to say the score before every serve? Yes—so everyone stays on track.

• What if the ball hits the line? Lines are in, except the kitchen line on a serve.

• Can I step into the kitchen after a volley? You must not be in the kitchen during a volley; step in only after the ball bounces.