10
!
S
ERVICE
- The serve must be hit underhand, the ball must only contact the paddle
below waist-level, and the ball must be allowed to bounce once off the serve before
being played. When the ball is returned in play, the serving team must also allow the
ball to bounce before playing it. After the ball has bounced one time on both sides of
the net, both teams can either volley the ball in the air or play it off the bounce. This is
called the
double-bounce rule
. The serve is made diagonally cross-court and must clear
the non-volley zone (see “The Non-volley Zone” below). Only one serve attempt is al-
lowed, except in the event of a let (the ball touches the net on the serve, and lands on
the correct service court).
Note: This is an abbreviated form of the rules to give a quick overview of how the game is
played. Visit USAPA.org for more information. (©USA Pickleball Association)
Pickleball Rules
Abbreviated
Rules
T
HE
N
ON
-V
OLLEY
Z
ONE
- The 7-foot zone on both sides of the net is called the non-volley
zone. No volleying is permitted within the non-volley zone. To
volley
is to hit the ball in
UIFBJSXJUIPVUmSTUMFUUJOHJUCPVODF5IJTSVMFQSFWFOUTQMBZFSTGSPNFYFDVUJOHTNBTIFT
from within the zone. When volleying the ball, the player may not step on or over the
line. It is a fault if the player's momentum causes the player or anything the player is
wearing or carrying to touch the non-volley zone. It is a fault even if the ball is declared
dead before the player touches the zone. A player may be in the non-volley zone at any
other time.
S
CORING
- Both players on the serving team are allowed to serve, and a team shall score
points only when serving. A game is played to eleven points and a team must win by
two points. Rallies are lost by failing to return the ball in bounds to the opponent's court
before the second bounce, stepping into the non-volley zone and volleying the ball, or
by violating the double-bounce rule. The hand is considered an extension of the paddle.
The player loses the rally if the ball hits any other part of his body or clothing.
Court
Dimensions
Net Height: 3’
(34” at center)
Non-Volley Zone
44’
7’
20’
10’
15’
Baseline
Sideline
Left Service
Area
Right Service
Area
Centerline
Non-Volley Zone
