These simpler instructions cover the basics and will get you started. Please refer to page 16 for diagram.
A complete set of rules may be obtained from the United States of America Pickleball Association on
their web site (www.usapa.org).
Game and Match
In tournament play a match will usually consist of the best 2 out of 3 games to 11. A game is finished
when one player or team reaches 11 points and is leading by at least two points. If the score is tied at
10-10, then the game continues until one player or team wins by two points. Players switch sides after
the first game. If a third game is needed, the players will switch sides after the first player or team gets
to 6 points, and the game will then continue to its conclusion.
Matches consisting of just one game are played to 15 points. The winner in this format must also be
ahead by two points. In a 15 point game, players should switch sides after one team gets to 8 points,
and the game will then continue to its conclusion.
Serving
Determine which side will serve first.
In pickleball a player or team can only score points when serving.
Prior to 2007, players were allowed to step over the baseline with one foot when serving, as long as
they kept at least one foot behind the baseline until after they contacted the ball. However, the rule has
been changed by the National Pickleball Association (USAPA) so that now both feet must remain behind
the baseline until after the ball is struck.
Players must announce the score prior to serving. Always call the server's score first.
For instance, upon starting the server should announce “0-0-1” or “0-0-start”. This indicates that the
score is 0 to 0 and the server is “player 1” or the starter of the game. From this point forward the server
will announce the score with his team’s score first followed by a 1 or 2 to identify the server.
The serve must be made with an underhand stroke so that contact with the ball is made below waist
level.
Underhand Defined: The arm must be moving in an upward arc and the paddle head shall be below the
wrist when it strikes the ball.
Serves must travel diagonally and land between the non-volley zone and the baseline of the service
court opposite of the serving player.
Each player is allowed only one serving attempt unless it is a “let” serve. A let serve occurs when the
serve hits the top of the net as it crosses the court and still lands in the correct service court. If this
occurs the serve is played over. Each player will continue to serve until he does not win a point.
Serving in Doubles
At the start of each new game, only one player on the first serving team is permitted a serve before
turning service over to the opposing team. Thereafter both members of each team will have a service
turn before the ball is turned over to the opposing team to serve.
Condensed Pickleball Rules
-14-
