Pickleball Rules

An overview of the most important pickleball rules for our club

Watch ThatPickleballGuy's Video

For a clear explanation with visual examples, watch ThatPickleballGuy's video:

Watch ThatPickleballGuy's Rules Explanation

Official Rules

These are the formal rules of pickleball. ThatPickleballGuy has good explanations with visuals, but here are the official rules:

Official USA Pickleball Rules (PDF)

Club Rules Summary

Here is a summary of all the rules in writing for our club:

Basic Overview

  • • Pickleball is played in doubles (two players per team) or singles, with doubles being most common.
  • • Games go to 11 points (usually), with at least 2 points difference to win.
  • • Serve is diagonal, underhand, and must land within the lines.
  • • Non-volley zone ("the kitchen") - volleying is forbidden within 7 feet of the net.

Key Rules

Serving

Serve must be underhand, diagonal to the opposite court, and land within the lines. Only the serving team can score.

Non-volley zone ("the kitchen")

Volleying is forbidden within 7 feet of the net. You can stand in the kitchen, but not volley. This prevents serve-and-volley dominance.

Scoring

Games usually go to 11 points with at least 2 points difference. Only the serving team can score. After two bounces, you can volley.

Score Calling

**IMPORTANT:** Call the score loudly and clearly before you hit the ball on your serve. The other side must be able to hear the score. This is mandatory on every serve!

Netiquette

Netiquette usually means how to behave on the internet, but here it's about how to behave on our pickleball courts:

Guidelines

  • •Be respectful to all players regardless of their level
  • •Give compliments for good shots from your opponents
  • •Follow the rules and accept decisions from other players
  • •Ask for clarification if you don't understand a rule
  • •Help new players by explaining the rules
  • •Stay positive even when losing
  • •Clean up your equipment after playing
  • •Thank your partner and opponents after each game

Extra Guidelines

  • •Please don't scream on the courts – keep the atmosphere friendly and enjoyable for everyone
  • •Be mindful when serving: check behind you for players on adjacent courts before you start
  • •Always call balls "in" if you're unsure – give your opponents the benefit of the doubt
  • •Handle stray balls responsibly:
  • •If a ball rolls onto your court, you are responsible
  • •Don't kick it away carelessly
  • •First check if another court needs it. If so, make sure they're looking before tossing it back
  • •If not, put the ball in your pocket or behind the ledge so it doesn't roll back onto the court