Pickleball Rules: Simplified

Pickleball is a fun and exciting game that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It's played on a court that's smaller than a tennis court, and it's easy to learn, making it a great game for people of all ages. Here's an easy breakdown of what makes pickleball... pickleball.

The Court

A pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, which is about a quarter of the size of a tennis court. There is a net that divides the court in half, and there are specific lines on the court that designate the different areas of play.

The Equipment

Pickleball is played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. The paddle is larger than a ping-pong paddle, but smaller than a tennis racket. The ball is about the size of a baseball and weighs a few ounces.

Serving

The game begins with a serve, which is made underhand from behind the baseline on one side of the court. The serve must be hit diagonally across the net to the opposite side of the court. The serve is not allowed to touch the net, and the ball must land within the correct service court. The server continues to serve until a fault is made.

Scoring

Points are awarded to the team that wins the rally. A rally is won when the opposing team fails to return the ball back over the net or hits the ball out of bounds. The first team to score 11 points and lead by at least 2 points wins the game.

The Double Bounce Rule

When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce once before returning it. After the first bounce, both teams can hit the ball before it bounces again. This is known as the "double bounce rule" and is a critical component of the game.

Faults

A fault is any violation of the rules. Common faults include serving the ball out of bounds or into the net, not hitting the ball over the net, stepping into the non-volley zone when hitting a ball in the air, and hitting the ball out of bounds. When a fault is made, the opposing team is awarded a point.

Non-Volley Zone (The "Kitchen")

The non-volley zone, also known as the kitchen, is the area that extends 7 feet from the net on each side of the court. Players are not allowed to hit the ball while standing inside the non-volley zone, except for when the ball has bounced. This helps prevent players from getting hit with the ball and makes the game safer.

Scoring & Winning

Games are played to 11 points, and the winner must be ahead by at least two points. Matches are usually best of three or five games.

And there you have it! These are the basic rules of pickleball, and they should be enough to get you started. Keep in mind that there are many other nuances to the game, and that practice and experience will help you to develop your skills

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