Pickleball is one of the easiest sports to pick up and get started instantly. You don’t need to memorize a long list of rules to start having fun. In fact, The Bros believe there are five simple pickleball rules for beginners you need to know to step onto the court and play confidently.
These rules are straightforward, beginner-friendly, and designed to get you started in no time. Absolute beginners can learn these rules within 60 seconds. They are that simple! And there is no excuse to NOT give pickleball a try.
Let’s break them down so you can get started and play a game today!
Key Takeaways:
- Pickleball Has 5 Simple Rules – Learn these five basics, and you’re ready to play and have fun!
- The Double Bounce & Kitchen Rules Keep It Fair – Let the ball bounce once per side before volleying, and no volleying in the kitchen.
- Beginners Should Just Play – Don’t stress over scoring; focus on having fun and hitting the ball! Short, sharp, and beginner-friendly!
Pickleball Basics 101
In case you have stumbled upon this article with no idea what Pickleball is, let me back up a second. Pickleball is a low impact paddle sport that is becoming the fastest growing sport in the world. It is easy to pick up and play for all skill levels in all age groups.
Pickleball is played indoors or outdoors on a court that is smaller than a tennis court. The court surface must be hard so that the ball can bounce and matches can be played as singles or doubles.
Pickleball uses a solid paddle to hit a plastic “whiffle” ball over a net.
Top 5 Pickleball Rules for Beginners
With the formalities out of the way, let’s jump into the 5 simple rules.
1. Serve Under-Arm to Start the Game
Every point in pickleball begins with a serve. A pickleball serve must be hit underhand from behind the baseline. The service must cross the court diagonally into the opposing teams service court.
When serving, the ball must be dropped downwards onto the paddle. The paddle must move in a South-to-North upwards motion and contact must be made with the ball below the waist.
The serve must clear the net and land in the opposite diagonal service box. It must not land in the kitchen (the non-volley zone).
If the serve fails to clear the net and land in the correct serving area, a Service Fault will be called. This will result in a loss of serve.
✅ Beginner’s Tip: Keep it Simple with Serving: When starting out, any serve that is underarm will be allowed. The technicalities of hitting below the waist and paddle motion are only enforced during tournament play. To get started, any underarm serve will be perfectly fine.
2. The Ball Must Bounce Twice Before You Volley
Pickleball has a double bounce rule. This means that once the ball is served, the ball must bounce once on each side before either player may start volleying the ball in the air.
After the ball has bounced on both sides, both players can move closer to the net and volley the ball. And the rally will continue until one of the players either hits the ball out of bounds or lets the ball bounce on their side twice.
The double bounce rule image and example below breaks down the rule shot by shot.
- Player A serves to Player B
- Player B must let the ball bounce once before the serve can be returned.
- Then Player A must also let the ball bounce once on their side before returning the ball
- Player B can now move into the Net and begin volleying the ball
The double bounce rule ensures fair play and longer rallies.
✅ Beginner’s Tip: Avoid Volleys on the Return: After you serve, stay behind the baseline to prepare for your opponent’s return. A common mistake beginners make is drifting into the court too early. This can lead to accidentally volleying the return before it bounces and losing the point.
3. No Volleying in the Kitchen
A unique but important aspect of Pickleball is the non volley zone which is also known as “the kitchen”. This zone is the area on either side of the net. Players cannot step into the kitchen area to volley the ball.
However, if the ball bounces in the non-volley zone, you are allowed to run into the non-volley zone to hit the ball. For example, if your opponent hits a drop shot and you are forced to run towards the net to hit the ball back. This is allowed.
Most players will stand right up at the kitchen line, and do their volleying from there.
✅ Beginner’s Tip: Stay Out of the Kitchen: The easiest way to think about the non-volley zone is as the name implies, there is no volleying allowed within the area. So stay outside the zone for best results.
4. Points Can Only Be Won on Your Serve
Pickleball uses a traditional scoring system, where points can only be won by the serving player. To score a point, the server must make a legal serve and then win the rally.
If the player serving loses the rally, they do not score a point and the serve passes to the opponent. This game dynamic means that serves can change multiple times in a game and lead to longer matches.
Some Pickleball tournaments use rally scoring, where the winner of each rally earns a point, regardless of who served. This system gained popularity as a faster alternative of Pickleball. And it prevents long, scoreless stretches in traditional play.
Unlike tennis, pickleball players do not get a second serve attempt. This adds extra pressure to making a good service.
✅ Beginner’s Tip: Don’t Stress About Scoring: Keeping track of the score and who is serving (especially in doubles) can be tricky for new players. Luckily, the most experienced player on the court usually handles it. As a beginner, just focus on playing pickleball and have fun.
5. Play to 11 and Win by 2
The goal in Pickleball is to be the first team to reach 11 points. But you must win by at least 2 points.
For example, if you win 11-5, the game ends with a clear victory. However, if the score is 11-10, the game must continue until one player or team leads by 2 points (for example, 12-10).
Some tournaments will use different scoring formats, such as timed games (highest score after 10 minutes). Or some tournaments will use higher point targets (first to 15 or 21). These variations can change the games dynamic and add an exciting twist to to play.
✅ Beginner’s Tip: Focus on the Basics: Most beginners games are played to 11 points, so don’t worry too much about the scoring system. Focus on the basics, like serving and keeping the ball in play. And if you score a point? That’s just a bonus!
Final Wrap-Up: Pickleball Rules for Beginners
To recap, here are the Top 5 pickleball rules for beginners.
Pickleball is meant to be simple and fun, and these five rules are all you need to start playing. Sure, there are more technical rules, but those can come later.
For now, focus on the basics, grab a paddle, and have fun. There is no excuse NOT to play. I even jotted these rules down on a napkin for you. It’s really that simple!
Pickle On.
The Aussie Pickleball Bros.
FAQs
1. What is a Side Out?
A side out is called when the serving team faults and loses their serve to the opposing team.
2. What is a Volley in Pickleball?
A volley is a shot where the ball is hit before it bounces on the ground.
3. What is a Fault
A fault is a rule violation that ends a rally and results in a “dead ball”.