What is Pickleball??

Pickleball

Highest governing body	See Governing body
First played	1965, Bainbridge Island, Washington, U.S.
Characteristics
Contact	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...
Team members	Singles or doubles
Mixed-sex	Yes, separate singles, doubles, & mixed doubles
Type	Outdoor or indoor, racket sport
Equipment	Plastic pickleball, composite or wooden paddle, and net
Venue	Outdoor or indoor, pickleball court
Glossary	Glossary of pickleball
Presence
Country or region	Worldwide
Olympic	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...
Paralympic	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...
World Games	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...

Pickleball is a racket or paddle sport in which two players (singles) or four players (doubles) use a smooth-faced paddle to hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball over a 34-inch-high (0.86 m) net until one side is unable to return the ball or commits a rule infraction. Pickleball is played indoors and outdoors. It was invented in 1965 as a children's backyard game in the United States, on Bainbridge Island in Washington state. In 2022, pickleball was named the official state sport of Washington.^[1]

Aspects of the sport resemble tennis and table tennis, but pickleball has specific rules, paddles and courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. dimensions. The courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. is 44 feet (13.4m) longA 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... and 20 feet (6.1m) wideA 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..., and the paddle is larger than the one used in table tennis. The hard plastic ball used in pickleball produces less bounce than tennis balls. On each side of the net is a 7-foot area (2.1 m) known as the non-volley zone (or the kitchen); a player standing therein may not strike the ball until it has bounced. The rules specify side out scoring, where only 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. side can score a point. The limited bounce, non-volley zones, and underhanded stroke, with which all serves are made, combined with hard drive shots and overhead smash shots, give the game a dynamic pace.

After its introduction in 1965, pickleball became a popular sport in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and gradually grew in popularity elsewhere. By 2023 it was estimated to have over 8.9 million players in the United States.^[2] For three years in a row, 2021, 2022, and 2023, the sport was named the fastest-growing sport in the United States by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. The growing popularity of the sport has been attributed to its short learning curve, its appeal to a wideA 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... range of ages and fitness levels, and its low startup costs.

Two professional tours were established in the United States in 2019 and shortly thereafter two professional leagues were established. Pickleball is also growing in popularity outside the United States with a professional league already operating in Australia, and another being developed in India for the 2025/26 season.

The game was created in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, at the summer home of Joel Pritchard, who later served in the United States Congress and as Washington's lieutenant governor.^[3] Pritchard and two of his friends, Barney McCallum and Bill Bell, are credited with devising the game and establishing the rules.

According to Joan Pritchard, Joel Pritchard's wife, "The name of the game became Pickle Ball after I said it reminded me of the pickle boat in crew where oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers of other boats."^[4] Other sources state that the name "pickleball" was derived from the name of the Pritchards' family dog, Pickles.^[5] The Pritchards stated that the dog came along after the game had already been named, and it was the dog that was named for the game of pickleball. They said the confusion arose when a reporter interviewing the Pritchards in the early 1970s decided it would be easier for readers to relate to the dog rather than a pickle boat. Representatives of USA Pickleball claim that research on their part has confirmed that the dog Pickles was born after the game had already been named.^[6]

Jennifer Lucore and Beverly Youngren, authors of the book History of Pickleball: More than 50 Years of Fun!, say that they could not conclusively determine whether the game was named for the dog or the dog was named for the game.^[7] They did, however, discover a third possibility: Bill Bell claimed that he had named the game because he enjoyed hitting the ball in a way that would put his opponent in a pickle.^[8]

Shortly after the game was invented, some of its inventors and their friends brought pickleball to Hawaii, where the game became known as pukaball. Puka, meaning "hole" in Hawaiian, was at first used to refer to the ball, since pickleballs have numerous holes, and later used to refer to the game itself.^[9]

When Pritchard and Bell returned from golf one Saturday afternoon in 1965, they found their families bored.^[10] They had attempted to set up badminton, but 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... one could find the shuttlecock. Pritchard and Bell challenged their kids to devise their own game. The adults and kids ended up at the badminton courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. and began experimenting with different balls and rackets, including table tennis paddles. The 5-foot (1.5-metre) badminton net was eventually lowered to hip level to accommodate driving the ball.^[11]

Initially, a Wiffle ball was thought to be the ideal ball, but later the Cosom Fun Ball was found to be more durable and provided a better playing experience.^[12] The table tennis paddles were quickly replaced with larger, more durable plywood paddles fabricated in a nearby shed.^[4][13][5] McCallum continued to experiment with various paddle designs in his father's Seattle basement workshop.^[14] One paddle, he called the "M2", or McCallum 2, became the paddle of choice for most early players of the game.^[15]

In 1967, the first outdoor Pickleball courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. was constructed at the residence of Pritchard's friend, Bob O'Brian.^[16] Soon after its creation, pickleball became popular with local neighbors and relatives of the inventors. In 1968, Pritchard, along with McCallum's son David and two other friends, formed Pickle Ball, Inc.^[17] The company filed its first annual report in 1972,^[18] around the same time they trademarked the name Pickle-ball.^[19] The company manufactured wooden paddles and pickleball kits to satisfy the demand for the sport.^[13] Interest in pickleball continued to grow, and spread from the Pacific Northwest into warmer areas as "snowbirds" brought the sport south to Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Florida. In 2016, Pickle Ball, Inc. was purchased by PickleballCentral.com,^[20] which operates under the corporate name Olla, LLC.

A 1976 tournament held at the Southcenter Athletic Club in Tukwila, Washington, is credited with being the first formal pickleball tournament. It was billed as "The World's First Pickleball Championship" by Joel Pritchard and received a mention in the July 1976 edition of Tennis magazine.^[21] The United States Amateur Pickleball Association (U.S.A.P.A.), now known as USA Pickleball or USAP, was formed in 1984. In the same year they published the first official rulebook for the sport and held the first National Doubles Championships in Tacoma, Washington. By 1990, the sport was being played in all 50 states.^[22] In 2001, pickleball was included as a demonstration sport in the Arizona Senior Olympics (ASO) with 100 participants. The pickleball tournament was held at the Happy Trails RV Resort in Surprise, Arizona, and within five years included 275 participants. The inclusion of pickleball in the ASO was seen as a significant contributor to the growth of tournaments in the United States.^[23]

The U.S. Pickleball National Championships are held near Palm Springs, California, and co-hosted by Larry Ellison, co-founder and CEO of Oracle and owner of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, where they have been played since 2018.^[24] Previously, the National Championship was played in Arizona from 2009 to 2017. The tournament has the oversight of the U.S.A Pickleball Association; itself reincorporated with an updated rule book in 2005 after its foundation in 1984.^[25][26] The U.S. Open Pickleball Championships are played in another hub of pickleball, Naples, Florida, and started in 2016.^[27] Estimates for active players grew to 3.3 million in 2019, up 10% from 2016.^[28] As of 2021^[update] there were 58 member countries overseen by the International Pickleball Federation.^[29] As of 2022^[update], there are over 8000 pickleball locations in the United States.^[30]

State Senator John Lovick proposed a bill making pickleball the official sport of Washington state in 2021. Pickleball was then named the official state sport of Washington in 2022 by the state legislature. On March 28, 2022, the legislation was signed by Governor Jay Inslee on the original Pritchard family courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. where the sport was invented.^[31][32]

The 2023 report by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) states that pickleball has grown 87.5% year-over-year and 158.6% over three years.^[2] The report also states that 8.9 million people played pickleball in 2022 and the number of new participants in 2022 exceeded the total number of pickleball players in 2021, which shows the meteoric rise of the sport.^[2]

Pickleball participation grew in every region in the United States according to the report by the SFIA. The South Atlantic region (includes DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, and VA) had the most pickleball players with 1.9 million players. The Pacific region was second with 1.5 million players and the East North Central region came in third with 1.4 million players.^[2] In May 2024, CNBC noted, citing a report from the Trust for Public Land, the number of outdoor pickleball courts in major cities went up 650% in the last seven years, with more than 3,000 courts across 100 of the most populated cities in the US.^[33]

The SFIA estimates that approximately 900 million dollars of courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. infrastructure investment is needed to keep up with the fast growth of the sport. To illustrate the need for this infrastructure, the SFIA has reported that the Middle Atlantic region (includes NY, NJ, and PA) had the lowest courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. coverage with 1 dedicated courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. for 1000 participants.^[2]

The growth of professional pickleball has attracted investors such as NBA player LeBron James, retired NFL quarterback Drew Brees, and entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk. This increased visibility has helped raise the sport's popularity in recent years.^[34][35]

However, the rise of competitive play has also led to more injuries, according to recent analyses by the insurance industry which found treatment costs for pickleball injuries have increased as participation has grown.^[36] Common pickleball injuries involve muscles, joints and tendons, especially in the shoulder, elbow and wrist (which proper technique, equipment, warm-up routines and injury prevention can help reduce). Advocates of the sport's growth say that pickleball is an activity that can provide exercise and social connections for players of all ages and skill levels.

The regulation size of the courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. is 20 feet (6.1 m) by 44 feet (13 m) for both doubles and singles, the same size as a doubles badminton courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines.. A line seven feet (2.1m) from the net is the non-volley line. Twenty-two feet (6.7 m) from the net, the baseline marks the outer boundary of the playing area. The area bounded by the non-volley line, the sidelines, and the net, including the lines, is known as the non-volley zone or "kitchen". The area between the non-volley line and the baseline is the service courtThe area on either side of the centerline, including the centerline, sideline, and baseline, excluding the NVZ.. A center line divides the service courtThe area on either side of the centerline, including the centerline, sideline, and baseline, excluding the NVZ. into 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. and right sides.^[37] Regulated tournaments and games are usually played on a specialized polyurethane sport surface; however, courts are often set up on concrete, Astroturf, and indoor basketball courts.^[38]

The net is 36 inches (0.91 m) high on the ends and 34 inches (0.86 m) high at the center. The net postsAny object on or near the court, including hanging over the court, that can interfere with play. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, net post legs, the stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when in their recognized positions, and all other objects around and above the court. should be 22 feet (6.7 m) from the inside of one post to the inside of the other post.^[39]

A Wiffle ball was the original ball used when the game was invented. USA Pickleball (USAP) has since adopted specific ball standards unique to pickleball. Balls must be made of a durable molded material with a smooth surface and must have between 26 and 40 evenly spaced circular holes. They must weigh between .78 and .935 ounces (22.1 and 26.5 g) and measure between 2.87 and 2.97 inches (73 and 75 mm) in diameter. Tournaments sanctioned by the USAP and IPF must choose from a list of preapproved balls found on the USAP and IPF websites.^[40]

Balls with smaller holes are generally used for outdoor play to minimize the effects of wind, but any sanctioned ball can be used for either indoor or outdoor play.^[26]

For sanctioned games, USAP and IPF paddle size standards say the combined length and width of the paddle shall not exceed 24 inches (0.61 m); the length cannot exceed 17 inches (0.43 m).^[41] There are 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... requirements regarding thickness or weight. The paddle must be made of a non-compressible material and the surface of the paddle must be smooth. Paddles used in sanctioned tournaments must be on the list of preapproved paddles found on the USAP and IPF websites.^[42]

Any fair way of determining who will serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. first and from which side is acceptable.

The score must be announced before each serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally.. If a referee is officiating the game, the refereeAny object on or near the court, including hanging over the court, that can interfere with play. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, net post legs, the stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when in their recognized positions, and all other objects around and above the court. announces the score, otherwise the serving player announces the score.

In doubles: the score has three parts; the serving team's score, the receiving team's score, and 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. number, a "1" or "2", that indicates whether the server is the serving team's first or second server after a side out. The first server of the game is always considered the serving team's second server. The starting score in doubles is announced as "zero zero two (0 0 2)".^[43][44][45]

In singles: The score has two parts; the serving player's score and the receiving player's score. The starting score in singles is always announced as "zero zero".

The first serve of the game is made from right side of the serving teams's court or the "even service" courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines..

A serve must land in the diagonally opposite service court on the opponent's side of the net (see "service in" diagram). The serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. receiverThe player who is positioned diagonally opposite the server to return the serve. Depending on the team’s score, the player who returns the serve may not be the correct receiver. must allow the ball to bounce once before returning the ball to the server's side of the net. Once the receiverThe player who is positioned diagonally opposite the server to return the serve. Depending on the team’s score, the player who returns the serve may not be the correct receiver. has returned the ball over the net, the serving side must also allow the ball to bounce once before returning the ball to the non-serving side. This is known as the two-bounce rule.^[46]

After the first two returns, either side may volleyDuring a rally, a strike of the ball out of the air before the ball has bounced. the ball—that is, return it before it bounces. The ball can never bounce more than once before it is returned. 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... player may volleyDuring a rally, a strike of the ball out of the air before the ball has bounced. the ball while standing in 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.) or touching any of the lines around the non-volley zone or "kitchen".

A 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. continues to serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally., alternating between the right 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. service courts until their team commits a faultA rules violation that results in a dead ball and the end of the rally..

Doubles: At the beginning of a doubles game, the side serving first is only allowed one fault before their side is "out", called a side outThe awarding of the serve to the opposing team after a singles player or doubles team loses its serve., and the serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. passes to their opponent. After the first side outThe awarding of the serve to the opposing team after a singles player or doubles team loses its serve. of the game, each team is allowed two faults before a side outThe awarding of the serve to the opposing team after a singles player or doubles team loses its serve. is called, allowing each of the players on a doubles team to serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. before the serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. passes to the other team. A team's second serverIn doubles, the first server’s partner. The second server serves after the first server loses serve. must continue alternating between the right 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. service courts from wherever their partner 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. off. For example, if their partner's last serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. was from the right service courtThe area on either side of the centerline, including the centerline, sideline, and baseline, excluding the NVZ., the second serverIn doubles, the first server’s partner. The second server serves after the first server loses serve. must start serving on the 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. service courtThe area on either side of the centerline, including the centerline, sideline, and baseline, excluding the NVZ.. After a side outThe awarding of the serve to the opposing team after a singles player or doubles team loses its serve., the first serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. is always initiated from the right serving areaThe area behind the baseline and on and between the imaginary extensions of the court centerline and each sideline..

Singles: A side outThe awarding of the serve to the opposing team after a singles player or doubles team loses its serve. is called each time the serving side commits a faultA rules violation that results in a dead ball and the end of the rally.. If the serving player's score is even (including zero), they must serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. from the right, or even, service courtThe area on either side of the centerline, including the centerline, sideline, and baseline, excluding the NVZ.; otherwise, they must serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. from the 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., or oddThe 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., service courtThe area on either side of the centerline, including the centerline, sideline, and baseline, excluding the NVZ.. Depending on the current score, the first serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. after a side outThe awarding of the serve to the opposing team after a singles player or doubles team loses its serve. can be from either the right or 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. service courtThe area on either side of the centerline, including the centerline, sideline, and baseline, excluding the NVZ..

Pickleball is usually played to a score of 11. The winning team must win by two points or play continues until one team wins by two.^[47] Tournament games may be played to 11, 15 or 21 points with players rotating sides when either team reaches 6, 8 or 11 points respectively.

Pickleball utilizes side out scoring, meaning only the serving side may score a point. The serving team earns one point each time the non-serving team commits a fault. Neither team earns a point when the serving team commits a fault. Since the score is always called as the serving side's score followed by the receiving side's score, the two scores are reversed whenever a side out occurs. For example, if the serving team faults when the score is "five three two" (two indicating the second server), a side out occurs, the other team becomes the new serving team, and the score is stated as "three five one".

When serving, 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. must be behind the baseline on one side of the center line and serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. the ball to the opponent's diagonally opposite service courtThe area on either side of the centerline, including the centerline, sideline, and baseline, excluding the NVZ.. Two types of serves are permitted, a volleyDuring a rally, a strike of the ball out of the air before the ball has bounced. serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. or a drop serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally..

• VolleyDuring a rally, a strike of the ball out of the air before the ball has bounced. serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally.: When the server's paddle strikes a ball without the ball contacting the ground, it must be served with an underarm stroke so that contact with the ball is made below the waist in an upward arc, and the highest point on the paddle headThe paddle, excluding the handle. must be below the wrist. In 2022, the USAPA announced a rule change that became effective in 2023: imparting spin onto the ball during its release from the hand (known as the 'spin serve') was banned.^[48]
• Drop serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally.: When a ball is dropped to the ground and allowed to bounce before the server's paddle strikes it, the ball cannot be tossed or impelled by 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. in any way. The ball can bounce more than once before being hit, and unlike the volleyDuring a rally, a strike of the ball out of the air before the ball has bounced. serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally., there are 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... restrictions on how the player must hit the ball.^[49]

Besides 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., there are 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... rules dictating where each player must stand when the serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. is initiated, but serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. receivers usually start behind the baseline until they know where the serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. will bounce. The receiver's partner usually starts near the non-volley line also known as the kitchen line. The server's partner usually stays behind the baseline with 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. until they know where the first service return will bounce. Some doubles partners use a strategy called stacking to ensure each partner can quickly move to the most advantageous side of the courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines., based on each partner's skill set, after each serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. and/or service return.^[50]

Serving from the wrong side of the courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines., the wrong player serving or the wrong player returning a serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. should be avoided. Though not a faultA rules violation that results in a dead ball and the end of the rally. since USA Pickleball changed the rule in 2024,^[37] player positions should be corrected as soon as they are noticed. If noticed during a rallyContinuous play that occurs after the serve and before a fault., the rallyContinuous play that occurs after the serve and before a fault. should be stopped and restartedAny rally that is restarted for any reason without the awarding of a point or a change of server.. If noticed after the rallyContinuous play that occurs after the serve and before a fault. is finished, the rallyContinuous play that occurs after the serve and before a fault. stands.

Doubles: A team's score should always be an even number, or zero, when their starting serverFor each doubles team, the player designated to serve first at the start of the game. In doubles tournament play, the starting server shall wear a visible form of identification determined by the Tournament Director. is serving or receiving from the right service courtThe area on either side of the centerline, including the centerline, sideline, and baseline, excluding the NVZ., and an oddThe 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. number when serving or receiving from the 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. service courtThe area on either side of the centerline, including the centerline, sideline, and baseline, excluding the NVZ.. The reverse is true for a team's non-starting 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..

Singles: In singles, a server's score will always be even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10...) when serving from the right service courtThe area on either side of the centerline, including the centerline, sideline, and baseline, excluding the NVZ. and oddThe 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. (1, 3, 5, 7, 9...) when serving from the 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. service courtThe area on either side of the centerline, including the centerline, sideline, and baseline, excluding the NVZ..^[39]: A-15

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... player may volleyDuring a rally, a strike of the ball out of the air before the ball has bounced. a ball while standing in 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.) or touching any of the lines around 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.). A player may enter 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.) to play a ball that has bounced and may stay there to play other balls that bounce,^[39]: A-22 but the player must re-establish both feet outside the non-volley zone before playing a volley. The non-volley zone is the highlighted area and numbered lines shown in the "Service out" diagram. Unofficially, the non-volley zone is commonly referred to as "The Kitchen".

After the serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally., a rallyContinuous play that occurs after the serve and before a fault. continues until one side commits a faultA rules violation that results in a dead ball and the end of the rally. resulting in a dead ballA ball that is no longer in play..^[51] Each team is responsible for making line calls on their side of the net. They may also ask an opponent for assistance; if the opponent saw the ball clearly and does then make a call, it is binding. If there is any doubt about whether the ball is outA 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... or in, the call should be made in favor of the opponent.^[52]

Faults include:

• either of the server's feet touches the baseline, the courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines., or the area outside the imaginary extensions of the centerline or sideline prior to striking the ball
• not hitting the serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. into the opponent's diagonally opposite service courtThe area on either side of the centerline, including the centerline, sideline, and baseline, excluding the NVZ.
• volleying the ball when returning a serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally.
• volleying the ball when returning the first service return
• not hitting the ball beyond the net
• not hitting the ball before it bounces twice on one side of the net
• hitting the ball so it lands outA 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... of bounds (outside the courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. lines)
• stepping into 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.), or touching any of lines around 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.), in the act of volleying the ball
• touching the net with any part of the body, clothing, paddle, or assistance device
• crossing the plane of the netThe imaginary vertical planes on all sides extending beyond the net system., if not in the process of striking the ball

The popularity of pickleball has spurred the growth of investors and sponsors. As a result, two pro pickleball tours were independently formed in 2019, the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP), and the Pickleball Professionals Association (PPA). A professional pickleball league, Major League Pickleball (MLP), was formed in 2021,^[53] and a league for all pickleball players, the National Pickleball League (NPL), was formed in 2022. In 2023 the PPA and MLP merged under one umbrella organization, the United Pickleball Association (UPA).^[54]

Major League Pickleball, in partnership with the Pacific Pickleball League (PPL) of Australia, announced an expansion to Australia in September 2023. The PPL was rebranded as MLP Australia and held its inaugural event September 2023.^[55]

In April 2024 the United Pickleball Association, in cooperation with Global Sports of India, announced an expansion of the PPL and MLP to India. The PPA Tour plans to holdHitting the ball in such a way that it does not bounce away from the paddle but is carried along on the face of the paddle. an exhibition event in Mumbai, India at the Monsoon Pickleball Championships in August 2024, and an official PPA Tour stop in India in February 2025. With the establishment of MLP India, franchises are to be sold in time for the 2025/2026 season.^[56]

The APP was formed by Ken Herrmann, who aligned his tour with USA Pickleball (USAP), the original governing body of pickleball in the United States. All games are sanctioned by USAP and must abide by USAP rules.^[53] The 2022 APP Tour includes 32 tournaments in five countries and has attracted an average of 800 players in each tournament. Total prize money is expected to be $2 million.^[57]

Professional Pickleball Association: The PPA was formed by Connor Pardoe and based in Draper, Utah. Desiring independence to shape the tour to his liking, Pardoe did not align with USAP. Initially, the PPA required all players to sign a one–year exclusivity contract, preventing PPA players from participating in any non-PPA tours. In late 2021, Thomas Dundon purchased the PPA and extended the exclusivity contracts to 3 years. Pardoe remained CEO of the PPA Tour.^[53] The 2022 PPA Tour is expected to include 20 tournaments with total prize money of $2.5 million.^[58]

Major League Pickleball: The MLP was formed in 2021 by Steve Kuhn in Dripping Springs, Texas.^[53] In its first year, the League consisted of 8 teams and included both APP and PPA players. The second year expanded to 12 teams, but the PPA 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... longer allowed their players to participate in the League. Each team consists of two men and two women. Team members are chosen by a dual snake draft designed to make teams as competitive as possible.^[59] Three separate competitions are scheduled for 2022, and the winning team at each competition will win $25,000 for each team member. The winning team is also awarded the Pritchard Cup. The league will expand to 16 teams in 2023, with NFL quarterbacks Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, tennis player Naomi Osaka,^[60] and NBA players LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and Kevin Love buying expansion teams.^[61][62][63]

The Official NPL is a pickleball league established in the United States whose members include any pickleball player, age, gender, skill. The league was established in 2022. As of 2024^[update] the league is finalizing it's 2nd season. www.USA-NPL.com

As of July 2024^[update] 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... pickleball organization has received recognition from the International Olympic Committee, ^[64] or any other international sports oversight body, as the official world-wide governing body for the sport of pickleball. However, there are at least four organizations vying to be the global governing body for the sport, and two vying to be the national governing body within the United States.

In 1984 USA Pickleball became the de facto governing body for all pickleball because it was the first and only organization to step into the role when it was founded as the United States Amateur Pickleball Association. It also published the first official rule book that same year. ^[22] Recognizing the growth of pickleball outside of the United States, in 2010 USA Pickleball helped establish the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP), now the International Pickleball Federation (IPF), to serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. as a world-wide governing body. USA Pickleball would continue as the national governing body for pickleball in the United States. ^[65]

In 2018 a second international governing body, the World Pickleball Federation (WPF) was established challenging the IPF. ^[53] In 2022, USA Pickleball, and several other member nations, withdrew from the IPF, and in 2023 they established a third international governing body, the Global Pickleball federation (GPF).^[66] Also in 2023 a fourth organization, the Pickleball International Committee (PIC), was established claiming to be the global governing body for pickleball.

Meanwhile, professional pickleball continued to grow and attract more money. In 2023 the PPA and MLP merged under one umbrella organization, the United Pickleball Association (UPA), and in May 2024 the UPA announced it would replace USA Pickleball with its own governing body for the sport called the UPA of America (UPA-A).^[67]

All of the organizations claiming to be the global governing body of pickleball are pursuing recognition by the International Olympic Committee and possible inclusion at the Olympics as a demonstration sport. A 2022 article by Sports Illustrated concluded the game would not likely be seen at the Olympics before 2032.^[53]

Pickleball was accepted as a demonstration sport at the July 2022 Maccabiah Games, considered the third largest sporting event in the world. This marked the first time pickleball appeared at an event sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee.^[68]

The 2023 African Games, also sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee, included Pickleball as a demonstration sport. The event was held March 11-15th at the University of Ghana campus in Accra. The Confederation of African Pickleball and the Global Pickleball Federation are exploring the possibility of holding a pickleball tournament at the 2027 African Games in Egypt.^[69]

The International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) was established in 2010 by the USA Pickleball Association to serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. as the World Governing Body of pickleball. The IFP had 70 member nations at the end of March 2022, but a conflict in the organization resulted in 7 of 8 full member nations, and 2 associate member nations, withdrawing, including USA Pickleball.^[70] In 2023 the IFP reorganized and changed its name to the International Pickleball Federation (IPF).^[65]

The annual Bainbridge Cup, named for the island where pickleball was invented, was established by the IPF in 2017. It became the sport's first intercontinental team event. The inaugural event was held in Madrid, Spain and pitted North America against Europe. The winning team earns the Bainbridge Cup trophy.^[71] Both the 2020 and 2021 Bainbridge Cup team competitions were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The WPF was established in 2018 and had 37 member nations as of November 2022^[update]. Part of the WPF's stated mission is to "govern the infrastructure of pickleball". The WPF declared October 10 of each year World Pickleball Day and set the goal of introducing 10,000 new players to the game of pickleball every October 10.^[72]

The World Pickleball Games were first announced by the WPF in 2021 and are intended to serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. as a format for possible future Olympic games.^[73] The inaugural World Pickleball Games had been scheduled for May 2022 in Austin, Texas,^[74] but due to on-going impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic the games were postponed indefinitely.^[75]

As the game is relatively new, rule modifications are frequently being made. In 2021, a rule change was made for a "net serve" so that a serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. that touches the top of the net and lands in the proper service courtThe area on either side of the centerline, including the centerline, sideline, and baseline, excluding the NVZ. 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... longer replayed.^[76] The previous rule on a "let serve" was borrowed from tennis, where a "let" call is always replayed.

USA Pickleball first included rules for mini-singles in the 2024 Official Rulebook. Mini-singles, sometimes called “skinny singles”, follow basically the same rules as regular singles, except only half of each player’s courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. is considered “in play” during each rallyContinuous play that occurs after the serve and before a fault.. The half of the courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. that is in playThe point in time when the referee or server (or server's partner per rule 4.D.2) starts to call the score. is determined by each player’s score. If a player’s score is zero or even, then the right side of their courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. is in playThe point in time when the referee or server (or server's partner per rule 4.D.2) starts to call the score.. If their score is oddThe 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., then the 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. side of their courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. is in playThe point in time when the referee or server (or server's partner per rule 4.D.2) starts to call the score.. The other half of their courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines., the half that is not in playThe point in time when the referee or server (or server's partner per rule 4.D.2) starts to call the score., is outA 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... of bounds. A player incurs a faultA rules violation that results in a dead ball and the end of the rally. if that player hits the ball onto the other player’s side of the courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. that is not in playThe point in time when the referee or server (or server's partner per rule 4.D.2) starts to call the score..^[37]

An additional line should be drawn that extends the center line on both sides of the net through 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.). This line divides 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.) in two, thereby establishing which side of 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.) is in playThe point in time when the referee or server (or server's partner per rule 4.D.2) starts to call the score., and which is outA 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... of bounds.^[37]

Para pickleball, sometimes called adaptive pickleball or wheelchair pickleball,^[77] was officially recognized as a competitive branch of pickleball by USA Pickleball in 2016. Rules for those in wheelchairs are similar to the standard rules with minor modifications. A player's wheelchair is considered part of the player's body, and all rules that apply to the body also apply to the player's wheelchair. A pickleball player in a wheelchair is allowed two bounces instead of one. When a player in a wheelchair is serving the ball, they must be in a stationary position. They are then allowed one push before striking the ball for service. When the player strikes the ball, the wheels of the wheelchair must not touch any baseline, sideline, center line, or extended center or sideline. When a game involves both wheelchair and standing players, each player must abide by their respective rules. Standing players will adhere to the standing pickleball rules, and the wheelchair players will adhere to the wheelchair pickleball rules.^[37]

APP Tour games are sanctioned by USA Pickleball and follow all rules established by USA Pickleball. The PPA Tour is not sanctioned and has chosen not to adopt some recent rule changes for professional and senior professional matches. Non-professional PPA Tour matches will continue to follow all rules in the USAP rulebook. The specific rules that the PPA deviates from for professional matches are: the drop serve, the paddle swipe or chainsaw serve, and let serves.^[78]

The PPA has not instituted the drop serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. and does not permit them in professional PPA matches. New USAP rules allow a player to touch the ball with only the hand releasing the ball, thereby making the chainsaw serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. illegal in APP games. The PPA continues to permit the chainsaw serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. in professional PPA matches. Let serves that hit the net but land in the correct service area are considered valid serves by USAP rules, but such serves must be replayed in PPA professional matches. If a second let serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. occurs when the serveThe initial strike of the ball to start the rally. is replayed, it is a faultA rules violation that results in a dead ball and the end of the rally. for PPA servers.^[79]

When the hard pickleball paddle strikes the hard ball, it produces a sharp popping sound. The constant sound during play has generated conflict between pickleball courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. owners and nearby property owners.^[80][81] The noise, combined with the rapid rise in pickleball's popularity, has produced an intense backlash against the sport in communities across the United States.^[82]

In September 2020, one park in the Portland metropolitan area had to institute a ban on pickleball, despite having just installed new pickleball courts five months earlier. Residents nearest to the pickleball courts said they could not holdHitting the ball in such a way that it does not bounce away from the paddle but is carried along on the face of the paddle. conversations inside their homes due to the noise from the pickleball courts. Despite the ban, people still used the pickleball courts the following year. In June 2021, at a West Linn City Council meeting, one resident said the noise resulted in family gatherings being "... wrought with discord and physically debilitating stress." Some described the noise as "trauma-inducing".^[83] Similar noise issues were raised in 2023 by residents of an apartment building adjacent to a pickleball courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.^[84]

The construction of pickleball courts in public spaces has been a source of controversy, especially when the new courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines. replaces existing tennis or basketball courts.^[85][86] The repurposing of basketball courts for pickleball is often decried as an example of gentrification as while basketball is popular amongst people of color and the working class, the demographics of pickleball players tend to be affluent and white.^[87] During a press conference at the 2024 Wimbledon Tennis Championships, the number two seeded men's singles player, Novak Djokovic, was quoted as saying;

“Tennis is the king or queen of all the racket sports, that’s true. But on a club level, tennis is endangered, and if we don’t do something about it globally and collectively, they’re gonna convert all the tennis clubs into padel and pickleball because it’s just more economical. You can build three padel courts inside one tennis courtThe area inside the outer dimensions of the baselines and sidelines.. If you do the simple math, it’s just much more financially viable for an owner of the club to have those courts.”^[88]

There are four published Guinness World Records for the sport of pickleball,^[89] the most recent of which is the longest pickleball rallyContinuous play that occurs after the serve and before a fault., consisting of 16,046 consecutive shots, lasting 6 hours and 11 minutes set by Angelo and Ettore Rossetti on October 10, 2022.^[90] The only previous documented Pickleball endurance record was in 2011 and 2012 by Justin Lawrence and Jeffrey Baker of New Port Richey, Florida. It was performed at the New Port Richey Recreation & Aquatic Center, in Pasco County, Florida. Both were employees of the rec center and wanted to find a way to grow the sport locally. Lawrence is a multi-sport athlete (football placekicker and soccer goalkeeper) who was focusing on endurance and OCR events at the time, with 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... real racquet sport experience. Baker is also a multi-sport athlete with some ping-pong and tennis experience. Both years the duo played for over 24-hours consecutively. Due to paperwork and processing errors, Guinness World Records did not recognize the record, so World Record Academy stepped in and verified the record along with Pasco County giving them an official resolution.^[91][92][93]

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