As Easy As 1-2-3
Begin with a serve
The game starts with a serve from the player positioned on the right side of the court when facing their opponents. The player must serve diagonally across the net into the opposite service area, ensuring that the ball lands within the designated boundaries. The serve must be made underhand and the server must also keep both feet behind the baseline until the ball is struck. If the serve fails to meet these criteria, it results in a fault, and the serve is forfeited to the opposing team.
Just One Bounce
There must be one bounce per side. This rule is known as the double-bounce rule. When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce before returning it, and the serving team must also let the return bounce before hitting it. This rule further ensures that the game is not dominated by powerful serves and volleys, making it more accessible and enjoyable for players of all skill levels.
Only win points on your serve
The serve rotation follows a specific sequence to ensure fairness and strategy. When a team wins a point on their serve, the serving player and their partner switch sides. The server continues to serve and switch sides with their partner after each successful point until they lose a rally. Once a rally is lost, the serve doesn't immediately switch to the other team; instead, the responsibility to serve moves to the other teammate on the serving team.
No Volleying In Kitchen
the non-volley zone, often referred to as the "kitchen," plays a crucial role in maintaining the game's unique dynamics. This area extends 7 feet from each side of the net and serves as a boundary within which players are restricted from hitting volleys. The primary rule regarding the kitchen is clear: players cannot hit a volley while any part of their body is in the kitchen or even touching the kitchen line.
How to Keep Score
In pickleball, the game is typically played to 11 points, and a team must win by at least two points. Matches can also be played to 15 or 21 points in tournament settings, but the win-by-two rule remains consistent. Only the serving team can score points; the receiving team cannot score points directly off a serve but can gain the opportunity to serve and score by winning the rally.
