Detailed Overview

Pickleball is designed to be simple, enjoyable, and accessible to players of all ages. While advanced rules exist for competitive play, beginners can start confidently by understanding the fundamental rules below.

1. The Serve

How to Serve:

• The serve must be underhand with the paddle contacting the ball below the waist.Both feet must be behind the baseline at the moment of contact.
• The serve must be hit diagonally across the court into the opponent’s service area.
• The ball must land beyond the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) line; serves that land on the NVZ line are faults.
• A serve that touches the net but lands in the correct service box is legal (a “let” serve no longer stops play in official rules).

First Serve of the Game:

• The team serving first gets only one server during the opening turn.
• The first server begins by calling 0-0-2 to show they are the second server (due to this opening exception).

2. Scoring Basics

Key points:

• Only the serving team can score points.
• Games are usually played to 11, and you must win by 2.
• After winning a point, the serving team switches sides and the same server continues serving.
• When the serving team loses a rally, the serve switches to the next partner; after both partners lose their serve, it becomes a side-out and the opponents serve.

Announcing the Score:

• Serving team’s score
• Receiving team’s score
• Server number (1 or 2)

Example: 4-3-1 → Serving team 4, opponents 3, server #1 is serving.

3. The Two-Bounce Rule

One of the most important beginner rules:

• The serve must bounce once in the receiver’s court.
• The return of serve must also bounce once on the serving team’s side.
• After these two required bounces, either team may hit the ball in the air (volley) or off the bounce.

Purpose:

This rule prevents teams from rushing the net too early and helps create longer rallies.

4. The Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen) Rules

• The Non-Volley Zone (NVZ)—often called the kitchen—extends 7 feet from the net on both sides.
• Volleying in the NVZ is not allowed:
• You may NOT volley (hit the ball in the air) while standing in or touching any part of the NVZ line.
• Your momentum after a volley cannot carry you into the NVZ.
• Clothing, paddle, or accessories dropping into the NVZ during a volley also count as a fault.
• You may enter the NVZ to hit balls that bounce there.
• You just cannot hit a volley inside the zone.

5. Line Calls

• Pickleball relies heavily on player honesty and etiquette.
• Players call the lines on their own side of the court.
• If unsure, the benefit of the doubt goes to the opponent.
• Only call balls out when you clearly see space between the line and the ball.
• Players may ask opponents for input, and that input is final.
• 6. Faults

A fault results in loss of serve (for the serving side) or loss of rally.

Common faults include:

• Hitting the ball into the net or out of bounds.
• Volleying while touching the Non-Volley Zone.
• Serving into the wrong court or onto the NVZ line.
• Not allowing the ball to bounce twice (on serve and return).
• Being hit by the ball during a rally—contact with body or clothing counts as a fault.
• Catching a ball that would have gone out; always let it bounce first.

7. Player Positioning

• In doubles, the right-side player always serves first when their team regains the serve.
• Players switch sides only when they win a point on their serve.
• The receiving team does not switch sides.

Tip:

• Even score → serve from the right
• Odd score → serve from the left

8. General Etiquette

Pickleball emphasizes sportsmanship and fun:

• Call the score clearly before each serve.
• Ensure all players are ready before serving.
• Communicate with your partner.
• Respect opponents’ line calls.
• Prioritize safety and fair play.

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