Pickleball rules.
The full rules of pickleball, explained clearly — serving, the two-bounce rule, the kitchen, scoring, and faults. New to the game? The friendlier walkthrough is on our how-to-play guide.
Pickleball is played to 11 points (win by 2) and only the serving side scores. The serve is hit underhand and diagonally crosscourt, and two rules shape every rally: the two-bounce rule — the ball must bounce once on each side before anyone volleys — and the non-volley zone, the 7-foot “kitchen” beside the net where volleying isn’t allowed.
- Court: 20 × 44 ft
- Net: 34 in centre / 36 in sidelines
- Game: to 11, win by 2
- Serve: underhand, diagonal, one attempt
- Two-bounce rule: before any volley
- Kitchen: 7-ft non-volley zone
Serving rules
The serve is made underhand with the paddle contacting the ball below the waist, and the paddle head below the wrist. Serve from behind the baseline and hit diagonally into the opposite service court, past the non-volley zone. You get one serve attempt. As of recent rules, a serve that clips the net and lands in the correct court is live (there are no 'let' serves). A drop serve — dropping the ball and hitting it after the bounce — is also allowed.
The two-bounce rule
After the serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce before returning it, and the serving team must let that return bounce before playing it. Only after these two bounces can either side hit the ball out of the air (volley). This rule neutralises the serve-and-volley advantage and is the one beginners forget most.
The non-volley zone (the kitchen)
The 7-foot zone on each side of the net is the non-volley zone, or 'kitchen.' You may not volley the ball (hit it out of the air) while standing in the kitchen or touching its line — and your momentum after a volley can't carry you into it either. You can step into the kitchen anytime to play a ball that has bounced; you just can't volley from there.
Scoring
In traditional (side-out) scoring, only the serving side can score a point. Games are usually played to 11 and you must win by 2 (tournaments may use 15 or 21). In doubles, both partners serve before the serve passes to the other team — except the very first service turn of the game, when only one player serves. The score is called as three numbers: the serving team's score, the receiving team's score, and the server number (1 or 2).
Serving position
The serving team starts each point on the right (even) side when their score is even, and the left (odd) side when their score is odd. Players switch sides with their partner only after they score a point, so the correct server is always on the correct side for the score.
Faults
A fault ends the rally. Common faults: serving into the net or out of the correct service court, hitting the ball out of bounds, failing to clear the net, volleying from the non-volley zone, and breaking the two-bounce rule. A ball that lands on any line is in — except a serve landing on the kitchen line, which is a fault.
This summarises the standard ruleset. For every edge case, see the official USA Pickleball rulebook. New to the game? Start with how to play pickleball, or check the court dimensions and skill levels.
Pickleball rules, answered
What is the two-bounce rule in pickleball?
After the serve, the ball must bounce once on the receiving side and once on the serving side before either team can volley (hit it out of the air). It stops the serving team from rushing the net immediately and keeps points fair.
What is the kitchen rule in pickleball?
The 'kitchen' is the 7-foot non-volley zone next to the net. You cannot volley the ball while standing in it or touching its line, and your momentum after a volley can't carry you in. You can step in anytime to play a ball that has already bounced.
How does scoring work in pickleball?
Only the serving side scores. Games are usually played to 11, win by 2. In doubles, both partners serve before a side-out (except the first turn of the game), and the score is called as three numbers: server score, receiver score, and server number.
Can the serve land in the kitchen?
No. The serve must clear the non-volley zone and land in the opposite service court. A serve that lands in the kitchen, or on the kitchen line, is a fault.
Know the rules? Put them to use.
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