5 Essential Pickleball Rules Every Player Needs to Know (And Why They Matter)
- Performance Pickleball
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Whether you’re just starting out or have played a few games, knowing the key rules of pickleball can make all the difference between a fun match and a frustrating one. This guide breaks down the five essential rules every player should know — so you can play confidently, avoid common mistakes, and keep the game fair and enjoyable for everyone.
1. Understanding the Double-Bounce Rule
One of the first rules every new player hears about is the double-bounce rule — and it’s crucial. After the serve, both teams must let the ball bounce once before hitting it in the air (a volley). This means:
The receiving team must let the serve bounce.
The serving team must let the return bounce.
Only after these two bounces can volleys begin. This rule prevents net domination and gives both teams a fair shot to rally, encouraging strategy and longer points. It’s a key reason pickleball feels approachable yet competitive.
2. Mastering the Kitchen Rules
The non-volley zone, often called the kitchen, is the 7-foot area on either side of the net. The rule is simple but important: You can’t volley (hit the ball in the air) while standing in or touching the kitchen.
This rule stops players from crowding the net and smashing volleys at close range – a tactic that would make the game less fun and more dangerous. You can enter the kitchen to hit a ball that bounces, but you must exit before hitting a volley.
Tip: Be mindful of momentum – stepping into the kitchen after a volley (even if the ball is dead) still counts as a fault.
3. Serving Rules: What You Need to Know
Serving in pickleball has a few unique rules that set the tone for each rally:
The serve must be underhand, with contact made below the waist.
The server’s feet must stay behind the baseline.
The serve must go diagonally into the opposite service box.
Good serving mechanics not only keep the game fair but also help avoid unnecessary faults. Also, in doubles, knowing the correct serving order is essential to avoid confusion and point loss.
4. Scoring Basics: How to Keep Track Properly
Pickleball scoring can seem tricky at first, especially in doubles, where the score has three numbers: server’s score, receiver’s score, and server number (1 or 2).
Example: A score of “3-2-1” means the serving team has 3 points, the receiving team has 2, and the first server is serving.
Games are typically played to 11, win by 2. Keeping track of who serves and when helps prevent disputes and ensures the game flows smoothly.
That said, the order of service in pickleball is important too! For the winning team to serve a point, the server must be standing in the corresponding position for the point that the team holds at the moment – left for odd numbers, right for even.
Example: When starting a new game, the server must be the player on the right (0 for an even score). If the serving team scores, the two players switch positions so that the original server is now serving from the left side (1 point for an odd score). This order will continue throughout the game.
Tip: Announce the score loudly before each serve!
5. Faults and Penalties: Playing Fair and Safe
Faults in pickleball are simple mistakes that can cost you a point or the serve—so knowing what to avoid is key to playing smart and fair.
Common faults include:
Hitting the ball out of bounds
Volleying (hitting the ball in the air) while standing in the kitchen (non-volley zone)
Allowing the ball to bounce twice on your side
Incorrect serving, like hitting above the waist or serving into the wrong area
When a fault occurs, the opposing team either earns a point or regains the serve (depending on who committed the error). Recognizing and respecting these rules helps maintain a respectful, sportsmanlike environment – especially in recreational play, where self-officiating is common.
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