Here are some easy pickleball rules to get you started:
1. Basic Objective:
– Pickleball is played either as singles (1 vs 1) or doubles (2 vs 2).
– The goal is to score points by hitting the ball over the net and into the opponent’s court without them returning it.
2. Scoring:
– Only the serving team can score points.
– Games are typically played to 11 points, but a team must win by 2 points.
3. The Serve:
– Serve underhand, diagonally, and behind the baseline.
– The ball must land in the opponent’s service court (opposite diagonal).
– Serve starts on the right side when the score is even and the left side when odd.
4. Double-Bounce Rule:
– After the serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce once before returning it.
– The serving team must let the returned ball bounce once as well.
– After these two bounces, players can hit the ball without letting it bounce.
5. No-Volley Zone (“The Kitchen”):
– The 7-foot area near the net is called the “no-volley zone” or “kitchen.”
– You cannot step into the kitchen to hit a volley (a ball hit before it bounces).
– You can step into the kitchen after the ball bounces there.
6. Faults (When Play Stops):
– The ball goes out of bounds.
– The ball does not clear the net.
– The ball is volleyed from the no-volley zone.
– A player or their paddle touches the net.
7. Switching Sides (Doubles):
– In doubles, after a team scores a point, the server switches sides with their partner.
By keeping these simple rules in mind, you can easily play a fun game of pickleball!
