If you’re just starting out with pickleball, here’s a super quick breakdown of the basics:

Rules of Pickleball Summary:

• Games are usually played to 11 points, win by 2.
• You can only score when you’re serving.
• The serve is underhand and must land diagonally in the opposite service court.
• The ball must bounce once on each side before players can start volleying (hitting the ball out of the air).
• No volleys allowed in the Non-Volley Zone (aka the Kitchen).
• Doubles is the most popular format, but you can play singles too.

Now, let’s dive deeper and explore all the official rules of Pickleball  that you need to know to play like a pro!

According to the official PPA Tour website a standard pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, the same dimensions for both singles and doubles.

The non-volley zone (or kitchen) is a 7-foot area on both sides of the net.

The net height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the center.

One of our most common questions about the rules of Pickleball from newcomers to the sport is to explain how to score and how it differs from traditional scoring in tennis:

Here’s a cribsheet expainer of the scoring rules of Pickleball:

• Games are most commonly played to 11 points, and you must win by 2 points.
• In tournaments, games may go to 15 or 21 points.
• Only the serving team can score points.
• A team scores a point when the opponent fails to return the ball, hits it out of bounds, or commits a fault.

The rules of Pickleball are set up to make the game accessible and simple to get started.

But it is also important to make sure that players of different ability and experience can have a competitive match against each other.

In a roughly similar way to how golf has a handicap system to level the game for all players Pickleball has a player rating system.

Player ratings range from 1.0 (complete beginner) to 5.5+ (pro level).

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Unlike tennis or Padel the rules of Pickleball state a serve must be underhand with the paddle contacting the ball below the waist.
• Serve must be hit diagonally across the court.
• The ball must land in the opponent’s service court, past the kitchen.
• Only one serve attempt is allowed per player (unless there’s a let).
• In doubles, both players serve before handing the serve to the opponents (except for the first serve of the game).

• The server starts on the right side of the court.
• If the serving team wins the point, the server moves to the left side and serves again.
• When the serving team loses a rally, the second player gets to serve.
• After both servers lose a rally, the serve switches to the opposing team.

Watch this explainer video on how to score in Pickleball

Take a look at the quick explainer video on how to score in Pickleball.

But if you don’t have time here are some key points:

• Points are scored only by the serving team.
• Games are played to 11, 15, or 21 points, whatever format you play you always have to win by 2 points.
• In doubles, the score is called in three numbers: server score – receiver score – server number (either 1 or 2).

• After the serve, each side must let the ball bounce once before volleys are allowed.
• This rule means the serving team cannot rush the net immediately after the serve.

• The 7-foot zone on either side of the net is called the Non-Volley Zone, or the Kitchen.
• Players cannot volley (hit the ball in the air) while standing in this zone.
• You may enter the kitchen to play a ball after it has bounced.

• Balls that land on the line are considered in.
• Players are responsible for making their own line calls.
• Always give the benefit of the doubt to your opponent.

A fault results in the loss of a rally.

Common faults include:

• Serving out of bounds.
• Volleying the ball from within the kitchen.
• Hitting the net.
• Violating the double-bounce rule.

• At the beginning of the game, a coin toss or paddle spin determines who serves.
• The first server in doubles is always on the right-hand side and is counted as Server #2 (to balance the first possession).

Understanding the rules is the first step to becoming a better player.

Whether practising with friends or considering joining a local league, these fundamentals will get you rallying with confidence in no time.

Want more beginner tips, pro gear reviews, and insider drills?

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