Pickleball Rules
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!
HISTORY
Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, WA. Three dads – Joel
Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum -whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities
are credited for creating game. Pickleball has evolved from original handmade equipment and simple rules
into a popular sport throughout the US and Canada. The game is growing internationally as well with many
European and Asian countries adding courts.
Learn more about Pickleball history.
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.
COURT
The dimensions and measurements for the standard pickleball court are 20 feet (6.10 m) wide and 44
feet (13.41 m) long for both singles and doubles matches.
Court lines should be 2 inches wide and measurements should be made to the outside of the lines.
Baselines:
The baselines are the lines parallel to the net at each end of the court.
Sidelines:
The sidelines are the lines perpendicular to the net on each side of the court.
Non-Volley Line:
The non-volley line is the line on each side of the net between the sidelines and
parallel to the net. These lines are located 7 feet (2.13 m) from the net.
Non-Volley Zone:
The non-volley zone is the area of the court bounded by the two sidelines, the
non-volley line, and the net. The non-volley line and the sidelines are included in the non-volley
zone.
Center line:
The center line is the line on each side of the net bisecting the area between the non-
volley line and the baseline.
Service Courts:
The service courts are the areas on either side of the center line, bounded by the
non-volley line, the baseline, and the sideline.
PADDLES
An official paddle (used in tournament play) should not contain holes, indentations, rough texturing,
tape, features that are reflective, or any objects or features that allow a player to impart additional or
increased spin on the ball.
BALLS
A standard ball is made of durable plastic material molded with a smooth surface and free of
texturing. An official ball should be 2.75 inches (6.99cm) to 3 inches (7.62 cm) in diameter and
should weigh between 0.8 and 1.02 oz (21 and 29 grams).
NET
The net should be made of any open, meshed fabric material small enough to prevent the ball from
passing through the net.
The net should be least 20 feet long (6.1 m) extending from one sideline to the other. It should
measure exactly 36 inches (0.914 m) tall at the sidelines and 34 inches (0.86 m) at the center of the
court. A center strap may be placed at the center of the net to enable easy adjustment.
Net posts should be placed outside the sidelines. Recommended placement is 12 inches (30.48 cm)
from the sideline.
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