How to Play PickleBall
. . .the fastest growing sport in the USA, in part because it has a very short learning curve.
Watch this awesome intro video on How to Play PickleBall.
Then Sign Up to Take Lessons Here
Watch this awesome intro video on How to Play PickleBall.
Then Sign Up to Take Lessons Here
The PICKLEBALL SERVE
The start of every RALLY begins with a SCORE CALL & a SERVE.
The player standing in the right service court is always the first server, whether at the the beginning of a game or on a side-out.
There are 2 Servers in Doubles PickleBall.
1st Server & 2nd Server.
Score Calling Example...
Before serving, the server calls out the points for each team.
The correct score which includes which server they are - 1st or 2nd.
5 - ZERO - 1
The Serving Team has the 5 - return Team has ZERO and the Server is you - the 1 - 1st Server
The serve must be hit underhanded from behind the baseline cross court into the opposing team’s service court.
The serve must clear the net and not land inside the NVZ / non-volley zone (or most lingo referred as the kitchen.)
If the ball goes into the net or lands on or before the NVZ line, results in a SERVICE FAULT.
Let Serve - The Ball tips the Net & still lands in to the designated returner - This is a playable ball at most venues.
Sometimes the ball will nick the net but still land in the correct serving court.
This is Playable as of 2021 depending on venue.
( Pro Matches Redo Let Serves as of 2025 )
RETURN of Service BOUNCE
he FIRST rule in PickleBall is the Return of SERVE Bounce rule.
Serving Players cannot VOLLEY a RETURN.
The Serving TEAM must let the ball bounce in or call it Short, Wide, Out or Deep.
The Return Bounce rule says the serving team must let the Return Serve Bounce.
Sometimes referred to as Bounce Bounce.
Just Let the Ball Bounce after the SERVE.
Then you can swing with all your might and launch that thing over the fence.
Its a terrible shot and way out but they can's yell at you for hitting a Volley out of the AIR on Return of SERVE.
NON-VOLLEY ZONE (most likely called the KITCHEN at any local court)
FAULTS & Out/IN Balls
In PickleBall ERRORS & MISTAKES are called FAULTS
The start of every RALLY begins with a SCORE CALL & a SERVE.
The player standing in the right service court is always the first server, whether at the the beginning of a game or on a side-out.
There are 2 Servers in Doubles PickleBall.
1st Server & 2nd Server.
Score Calling Example...
Before serving, the server calls out the points for each team.
The correct score which includes which server they are - 1st or 2nd.
5 - ZERO - 1
The Serving Team has the 5 - return Team has ZERO and the Server is you - the 1 - 1st Server
The serve must be hit underhanded from behind the baseline cross court into the opposing team’s service court.
The serve must clear the net and not land inside the NVZ / non-volley zone (or most lingo referred as the kitchen.)
If the ball goes into the net or lands on or before the NVZ line, results in a SERVICE FAULT.
Let Serve - The Ball tips the Net & still lands in to the designated returner - This is a playable ball at most venues.
Sometimes the ball will nick the net but still land in the correct serving court.
This is Playable as of 2021 depending on venue.
( Pro Matches Redo Let Serves as of 2025 )
RETURN of Service BOUNCE
he FIRST rule in PickleBall is the Return of SERVE Bounce rule.
Serving Players cannot VOLLEY a RETURN.
The Serving TEAM must let the ball bounce in or call it Short, Wide, Out or Deep.
The Return Bounce rule says the serving team must let the Return Serve Bounce.
Sometimes referred to as Bounce Bounce.
Just Let the Ball Bounce after the SERVE.
Then you can swing with all your might and launch that thing over the fence.
Its a terrible shot and way out but they can's yell at you for hitting a Volley out of the AIR on Return of SERVE.
NON-VOLLEY ZONE (most likely called the KITCHEN at any local court)
- The unique and MOST important aspect of PickleBall is the Non-Volley Zone, also known as the Kitchen.
- Players may not hit the ball while standing in the kitchen unless the ball has already bounced on their side.
- Players may not step into the kitchen to VOLLEY the Ball.
- Players may not enter the kitchen during or after the VOLLEY even if their momentum carries them into the zone.
- Even one little pinky toe is a NVZ Violation.
- A Hat falls into the NVZ after a VOLLEY. Guess What ??
- A broken shoe string flys off your shoe and lands in the NVZ after a Volley. You guessed it.
- You fart and the spray accidentally floats into the NVZ after a VOLLEY. Yep it stinks.
FAULTS & Out/IN Balls
In PickleBall ERRORS & MISTAKES are called FAULTS
- Double-Bounce Rule: Hitting a Return of SERVE volley before the ball has bounced at least once on a side at the beginning of a rally.
- If the ball bounces more than once, it is a fault.
- Hitting the ball out of bounds is a fault.
- Where the center of the ball touches the ground determines whether a ball is in or out on or near a line.
- If the ball is hit into the net, it is a fault. No shit.
- Any plays involving stepping into the Designated AREA called the NON VOLLEY ZONE to hit a VOLLEY (a ball hit out of the air before the bounce) is a fault.
- Faults, Out Balls, In Balls, Violations, etc etc are subjective during Recreation Play also called REC Play - Players are the REFS just like in Back Yard Football.
- Just Have Fun until you become addicted enough to want to play Tournaments for some reason to win a medal.
- Play Safe PickleBall
- Learn How to Play so you can actually enjoy watching Good PickleBall played by seasoned players.
- Learn How Your Own Body can adapt to this challenging sport.
Official USAPA Pickleball Rule Book 2025
