Basic Rules

Play Format:

- Pickleball can be played as doubles (two players per team) or singles, with doubles being the most common format.

- The same court size and rules apply to both singles and doubles play.

The Serve

Serve Mechanics:

- The server's arm must move in an upward arc when striking the ball.

- Paddle contact with the ball must occur below the waist.

- The paddle's head must not be above the highest part of the wrist at the moment of contact.

- A 'drop serve' is allowed, in which the above elements do not apply.

Positioning:

When striking the ball, the server’s feet must not touch the court, the sidelines, or the centerline extensions. At least one foot must be behind the baseline on the playing surface or ground.

The serve must be made diagonally crosscourt and land within the designated opposing diagonal court.

Only one serve attempt is permitted per server.

Serving Sequence

For Doubles:

- Both players on the serving team serve and score points until a fault is committed, except for the first service sequence of a game.

- The first serve of each side-out begins from the right/even court.

- When a point is scored, the server switches sides and serves from the left/odd court.

- Subsequent points follow this pattern until a fault is made and the first server loses the serve.

- The second server then serves from the correct side until another fault occurs, ending the team's turn.

For Singles:

The server serves from the right/even court when the score is even and from the left/odd court when the score is odd.

Scoring

- Points can only be scored by the serving team.

- Games are typically played to 11 points, requiring a win by 2 points.

- Tournament games may be played to 15 or 21 points, still requiring a win by 2 points.

- When the serving team’s score is even, the player who was the first server in the game serves or receives from the right/even court. For odd scores, the same player uses the left/odd court.

Two-Bounce Rule

- Upon serving, the receiving team must let the ball bounce before returning it, and the serving team must do the same.

- Once the ball has bounced once in each court, volleys or ground strokes are allowed.

- This rule eliminates serve-and-volley advantages and promotes extended rallies.

Line Calls

- A ball touching any part of a line, except the non-volley zone line during a serve, is considered "in."

- A serve contacting the non-volley zone line is deemed short and is considered a fault.

Non-Volley Zone

Zone Definition:

- The non-volley zone encompasses the court area within 7 feet on both sides of the net.

Volleying Restrictions:

Volleying is not permitted within this zone to prevent smashes from this area.

It is a fault if a player steps on or into the non-volley zone while volleying.

It is also a fault if momentum carries the player or anything they wear into the non-volley zone after a volley.

Players are allowed in the zone at any other time except while volleying.

Faults

- A fault occurs when a rule is violated, stopping play. - Faults by the receiving team result in a point for the serving team.

- Faults by the serving team lead to a loss of serve or a side-out.

Determining Serving Team

- Any fair method, such as a coin flip, can be used to decide the initial serving team or side.