Rules

Pickleball is a paddle sport played using a special perforated ball on a 20-foot-by-44-foot courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. More with a tennis-type net. The courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. More is divided into right/even and leftThe service area on the left side of the court, when facing the net. The starting server in doubles or the singles server should be positioned on the left/odd side of the court when their score is odd. More/odd service courts and non-volley zones. See Figure 2-1.

The ball is served diagonally across the net to the opponent’s service courtThe area on either side of the centerline, including the centerline, sideline, and baseline, excluding the NVZ. More using an underhand motion. The ball is struck back and forth across the net until a player fails to return the ball in accordance with the rules.

Points are scored only by the serving side, when the serverThe player who initiates a rally. Depending on the team’s score, it is possible that the player who serves may not be the correct server. More or the server’s team wins the rallyContinuous play that occurs after the serve and before a fault. More, or the opposing side commits a faultA rules violation that results in a dead ball and the end of the rally. More. The serverThe player who initiates a rally. Depending on the team’s score, it is possible that the player who serves may not be the correct server. More continues to serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. More, alternating service courts, until the serving side loses the rallyContinuous play that occurs after the serve and before a fault. More or commits a faultA rules violation that results in a dead ball and the end of the rally. More.

Typically, the first side scoring 11 points and leading by at least a 2-point margin wins. For example, if both sides are tied at 10 points, then play continues until one side wins by 2 points.

Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles. Doubles is the most popular.

The Players
Pickleball is a game that requires cooperation and courtesy. A sense of fair play from giving the opponent the benefit of any doubt is essential in maintaining the game’s underlying principles of fun and competition. To that end:

• All points played are treated the same regardless of their importance; match point is as important as the first point of the match
• Either partner in doubles can make calls, especially line calls; there is noA loud word(s) spoken by a player or line judge(s) to indicate to the referee and/or players that a live ball has not touched in the required court space. The preferred word to indicate a line call is “OUT”. Distinctive hand signals can be used in conjunction with a line call. Words such as “wide”, “long”, “no”, “deep” are also... More place in the game for one partner telling another, “that was my call, not yours”
• Prompt calls eliminate the ‘two chance option’. For example, a player cannot claim a hinderAny transient element or occurrence not caused by a player that adversely impacts play, not including permanent objects. Examples include, but are not limited to, balls, flying insects, foreign material, players or officials on another court that, in the opinion of the referee, impacted a player’s ability to make a play on the ball. More from a ball rolling on the courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. More after they hit a ball ‘out’; they gave up their ability to call the hinderAny transient element or occurrence not caused by a player that adversely impacts play, not including permanent objects. Examples include, but are not limited to, balls, flying insects, foreign material, players or officials on another court that, in the opinion of the referee, impacted a player’s ability to make a play on the ball. More by choosing instead to hit the ball
• Players without the benefit of a referee strive to cooperate when confronted with a situation not covered by the Rulebook. Possible outcomes can be a replayAny rally that is restarted for any reason without the awarding of a point or a change of server. More, allowing the rallyContinuous play that occurs after the serve and before a fault. More to stand, or in extreme cases, asking for a referee to resolve a dispute.
• Where possible, rules accommodate players with various adaptive needs

UNIQUE FEATURES:

Two-Bounce Rule. After the ball is served, each side must make one groundstrokeA strike of the ball after the ball has bounced. More prior to volleying the ball.

Non-Volley Zone (NVZ)The 7-foot-by-20-foot area adjacent to the net and specific to each team’s end of the court relating to NVZ faults. All lines bounding the NVZ are part of the NVZ. The NVZ is two-dimensional and does not rise above the playing surface. (See Figure 2-1 and Section 2.B.3.) More. An area that extends 7 feet from the net on each side, within which a player is not allowed to strike the ball without it first bouncing. More specifically, the whole courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. More from net to baseline is the same and can be freely used for all play with one exception: volleying. The first seven feet, the non-volley zoneThe 7-foot-by-20-foot area adjacent to the net and specific to each team’s end of the court relating to NVZ faults. All lines bounding the NVZ are part of the NVZ. The NVZ is two-dimensional and does not rise above the playing surface. (See Figure 2-1 and Section 2.B.3.) More, cannot be used for volleying.

(Wheelchair) A wheelchair playerAny person, with or without a disability, who plays the game in a wheelchair. The wheelchair is considered part of the player’s body. This can be a player with a disability or anyone that wants to play in a wheelchair. More may allow the ball to bounce twice before returning the ball. The second bounce can be anywhere on the playing surfaceThe court and the area surrounding the court designated for playing.   [quads id=10] More.