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Pickleball Rules
Played on a small court with a paddle and a plastic ball; games to 11, win by 2, and only the serving side scores.
🎯 Goal of the game. Win rallies by hitting the ball over the net so the opposing side can't legally return it, while respecting the two-bounce rule and staying out of the non-volley zone (the "kitchen") when volleying.
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the US: it's played on a court about the size of a badminton court, with a solid paddle and a perforated plastic ball. It's easy to pick up and hard to put down. Here are the essential rules, based on the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook.
Players & format
Players. Played as singles (1 vs 1) or doubles (2 vs 2); doubles is by far the most common. The same court and rules apply to both. Only the serving side can score a point.
Format. No clock. Games are usually played to 11 points and you must win by 2 (some tournaments play to 15 or 21). A match is typically best two out of three games.
Scoring
Only the serving team scores a point, and only when the receiving side commits a fault. In doubles the score is called with three numbers — the serving team's score, the receiving team's score, and the server number (1 or 2). Traditional side-out scoring is the official method; rally scoring is an optional provisional format for some 2026 tournaments.
Key rules
The serve. Underhand, with the paddle contacting the ball below your waist, hit diagonally crosscourt so it lands beyond the non-volley zone line. A "drop serve" — dropping the ball and hitting it after it bounces — is also legal. Overhand or tennis-style serves are not allowed.
The two-bounce rule. The serve must bounce once, and the return of serve must also bounce, before either side may hit the ball out of the air. This is what keeps rallies going and stops serve-and-volley domination.
The kitchen (non-volley zone). A 7-foot zone on each side of the net where you may not volley (hit the ball before it bounces). You can step in to play a ball that has already bounced, but you can't volley while standing in it, or if your momentum carries you into it after the volley.
Line calls. Any ball landing on a line counts as "in" — except the serve, which must clear the non-volley zone line to be good.
Common faults
- Volleying while standing in the non-volley zone (or momentum carrying you into it)
- Hitting the ball out of bounds or into the net
- Volleying before the two-bounce rule has been satisfied
- Serving into the net, out, or into the non-volley zone
Frequently asked questions
How do you keep score in pickleball?
Only the serving team scores, and only when the receiving side faults. Games are usually to 11, win by 2. In doubles the score is called as three numbers: serving team's score, receiving team's score, and server number (1 or 2).
What is the kitchen in pickleball?
The kitchen is the non-volley zone — a 7-foot area on each side of the net. You can't volley (hit the ball out of the air) while standing in it; you may only enter it to play a ball that has already bounced.
Can you serve overhand in pickleball?
No. The serve must be underhand with contact below your waist, or you can use the legal "drop serve." Overhand and tennis-style serves are faults.
What is the two-bounce rule?
After the serve, the ball must bounce once on the receiving side and once again on the serving side (on the return) before anyone may volley. It's a signature pickleball rule.
Is pickleball played singles or doubles?
Both. Doubles (2 vs 2) is the most popular format, but singles (1 vs 1) uses the same court and rules.
How big is a pickleball court?
A pickleball court is 20 by 44 feet — the same size for singles and doubles. See our full court dimensions guide for the net height and kitchen measurements.
More about pickleball
- Pickleball courts near me
- Pickleball court dimensions
- Basketball courts near me
- Tennis courts near me
Source. Summary based on the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook (2026). This is an introductory guide; for tournament play always consult the full, current rulebook.