Simplified Pickleball Rules

 Print out SIMPLIFIED PICKLEBALL RULES

A complete set of rules may be obtained from the United States of America Pickleball Association on their website (www.usapa.org). However, if you are just learning, you will find the following condensed rules much easier to follow.

Game and Match

In tournaments, a match will usually consist of the best 2 out of 3 games to 11. A game is finished when one player or team reaches 11 points and is leading by at least two points. If the score is tied at 10-10, then the game continues until one player or team wins by two points. Players switch sides after the first game. If a third game is needed, the players will switch sides after the first player or team gets to 6 points, and the game will then continue to its conclusion.

For consolation events, or when time is short, matches often consist of just one game to 15 points. The winner in this format must also be ahead by two points. In a 15-point game, players should switch sides after one team gets to 8 points, and the game will then continue to its conclusion.

Serving

A player or team can only scores points when serving.

Prior to 2007, players were allowed to step over the baseline with one foot when serving, as long as they kept at least one foot behind the baseline until after they contacted the ball. However, the National Pickleball Association (USAPA) has changed the rule so that now both feet must remain behind the baseline until after the ball is struck. The serve must be underhand with the ball contacted below the waist. Serves must travel diagonally and land between the non-volley zone and the baseline of the service court opposite of the serving player.

Each player is allowed only one serving attempt unless it is a “let” serve. A let serve occurs when the serve hits the net and still lands in the correct service court. If this occurs, the serve is played over. Each player will continue to serve until he does not win a point.

Players must announce the score prior to serving Always call the servers score first!

Serving in Doubles

At the start of each new game, only one player on the first serving team   is allowed a service turn before giving up the ball to the opponents. Thereafter both members of each team will have a service turn before the ball is turned over to the opposing team.

In doubles, the player on the right at the start of a service turn will be the first person to serve for their team and will continue to serve until he or she does not win a point. Then his or her partner will serve until he or she does also does not win a point. Then it is the other teams turn to serve.

When the serving team scores a point, the server moves to the other side of the serving team’s court. The receiving team should never switch sides.

If the serve rotation is done properly in doubles, the serving team's score will always be even when the player that started the game on the right side is on the right side and odd when that player is on the left side.

Serving in Singles

In singles, the server will serve from the right when he has an even number of points (0, 2, 6, 10). The server should serve from the left when he has an odd number of points (1, 3, 7, 9). The receiver should adjust their position according to where the server stands.

Non-Volley Zone

To volley a ball means to hit it in the air without letting it bounce. All volleying must be done with the player’s feet behind the non-volley zone.

Double Bounce Rule

Each team must play their first shot off the bounce. That is, the receiving team must let the serve bounce and the serving team must let the return of the serve bounce before playing it. After the two bounces have occurred, the ball can either be volleyed or played off the bounce.