Pickleball rules explained: A complete beginner’s guide

MatchPoint Competitions writer Joshua Foster, who works with the UK’s home of padel, tennis & pickleball competitions, provides a guide to all the rules for pickleball.

What is pickleball?

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing racket sports in the UK and worldwide. It blends the best of tennis, badminton, and table tennis into a fun, fast-paced game that anyone can play. 

Played on a small court with paddles and a perforated plastic ball, pickleball is easy to learn but offers plenty of tactical depth for competitive players.

The basic rules of pickleball

1. How to start a point

• Each rally begins with an underhand serve.
  
• The ball must be struck below the waist and hit diagonally across the court.
  
• The serve must clear the non-volley zone (also called the kitchen).
  
• The serve must land in the opposite service box.
  
• Each player gets one serve attempt, except if the ball touches the net and lands in the correct box then it’s a let serve.
  

2. Scoring system

Pickleball uses a unique rally scoring system where:

• Only the serving side can win points.
  
• Games are typically played to 11 points, and a team must win by two points.
  
• In tournament play, games may go to 15 or 21 points.
  

A typical score is announced as the server’s score – receiver’s score – server number (e.g. “4–2–1”).

3. Double-bounce rule

After the serve, both teams must let the ball bounce once before volleying:

• The receiving team must let the serve bounce.
  
• The serving team must let the return bounce before playing it.
  

After these two bounces, players may volley or play off the bounce freely.

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4. The non-volley zone (“The kitchen”)

The non-volley zone, or kitchen, is the seven-foot area on both sides of the net.

• Players cannot volley (hit the ball in the air) while standing in or touching the kitchen.
  
• You may enter the kitchen only after the ball bounces there.
  
• Stepping on the line while volleying is a fault.
  

This rule keeps rallies fair and encourages placement and strategy over pure power.

5. Faults in pickleball

A fault occurs when a player:

• Hits the ball out of bounds.
  
• Hits the ball into the net.
  
• Volleys in the kitchen or steps on the kitchen line.
  
• Serves into the wrong area or out of bounds.
  
• Misses the ball completely on a serve.
  

When the serving team commits a fault, the serve passes to the next player or to the opposing team.

6. Serving rotation in doubles

In doubles pickleball:

• Each team has two serves per turn, one for each player.
  
• Only the first server of the game serves once before the serve goes to the opponents.
  
• After each side-out, the serve begins from the right-hand court.
  

Proper serving rotation keeps the game balanced and ensures fair play.

Equipment and court size

• Court Dimensions: 20 feet wide x 44 feet long (same as a badminton court).
  
• Net Height: 36 inches at the sidelines, 34 inches at the center.
  
• Paddles: Solid paddles made from composite materials (no strings).
  
• Ball: Lightweight plastic with holes (similar to a wiffle ball).
  

Key pickleball tips for beginners

• Focus on control rather than power, placement wins points.
  
• Stay out of the kitchen unless the ball bounces there.
  
• Keep your paddle up and ready for quick reactions.
  
• Communicate with your partner to cover the court efficiently.
  
• Master your serve and return, consistency is key.

Common pickleball rule mistakes

• Forgetting the double-bounce rule.
  
• Volleying from inside the kitchen zone.
  
• Serving overhand or above the waist.
  
• Standing in the wrong position when serving or receiving.
  

Learning these simple rules early prevents confusion and keeps matches flowing smoothly.

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