Pickleball is incredibly easy to learn, but it has a few quirky rules that set it apart from tennis and ping-pong. If you're stepping onto the court for the first time, here are the core rules you need to know.
1. The Two-Bounce Rule
After the serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce once before hitting it. Then, the serving team must also let the ball bounce once before returning it. After these two bounces occur, either team can volley the ball out of the air or hit it off a bounce.
2. The Non-Volley Zone (The Kitchen)
The 7-foot area on either side of the net is known as the Non-Volley Zone, affectionately called the "Kitchen." You cannot hit the ball out of the air (volley) while standing in the kitchen, or touching the kitchen line. You CAN stand in the kitchen to hit a ball that has already bounced.
3. Scoring
Points can only be scored by the serving team. Games are normally played to 11 points, and you must win by 2 points. The score is called out as three numbers: Server Score, Receiver Score, and Server Number (1 or 2).
4. The Serve
The serve must be hit underhand, and paddle contact with the ball must be below the server's waist. The serve is made diagonally crosscourt and must clear the non-volley zone.
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