Pickleball Game Rules
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WHAT IS PICKLEBALL?
Pickleball is a simple paddle game played using a perforated, slow-moving ball
over a tennis-type net on a badminton-sized court. The rules are simple, and the
game is easy for beginners to learn!
SET UP
The net is 20 feet wide and the recommended playing area is 44 feet long, but the
court length can be varied according to the available space and skill level of the
players. If desired, the court can be marked with chalk lines, or natural boundaries
such as the edge of a driveway or tree.
NET HEIGHT
The net height can be set to the recreational height or regulation height (36”). See
page 9 to set to recreational net height or page 11 to set to regulation net height.
RULES
The ball is served diagonally to the opponent’s service court underhanded without
bouncing it off the court. Points are scored by the serving side only and occur when
the opponent faults (fails to return the ball, hits ball out of bounds, etc.). The server
continues to serve, alternating service courts, until the serving side faults. The first
side scoring 11 points and leading by at least a 2-point margin wins. If both sides are
tied, then play continues until one side wins by 2 points.
Double Bounce Rule: Following the serve, each side must make at least one ground-
stroke, prior to volleying the ball (hitting it before it has bounced).
Non-Volley Zone: A player cannot volley a ball while standing within the non-volley
zone.
SCORING
·
Points are scored only by the serving team.
·
Games are normally played to 11 points, win by 2.
·
Tournament games may be to 15 or 21, win by 2.
·
When the serving team’s score is even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) the player
who was the first server in the game for that team will be in the
right-side court when serving or receiving; when odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9)
that player will be in the left-side court when serving or receiving.
Centerline:
15 feet
Net: 36” tall
7 feet
Sideline:
44 feet
Right
Service
Area
Right
Service
Area
Left
Service
Area
Left
Service
Area
Baseline: 20 feet
Non-Volley Zone
Non-Volley Zone
COURT
Regulation
