🥒 How to Play PickleballÂ
(Beginner Instruction Sheet)
Objective of the Game
Score points by winning rallies when your team is serving.
The first team to reach 11 points (win by 2) wins the game.
How the Game Starts
•The first serve is made from the right side of the court.
• Serve diagonally cross-court.
• Only the serving team can score.
Serving Rules
• Underhand serve only, hit below waist level.
• Must land in the diagonal service box beyond the kitchen.
The server continues serving until they commit a fault.
Scoring Basics
• Games are usually played to 11 points.
• You must win by at least 2 points.
• Only the serving team can score.
The Double Bounce Rule
Crucial Rule: After the serve, the ball must bounce once on each side before volleys are allowed.
• The serve must bounce.The return of the serve must also bounce.
No-Volley Zone (The Kitchen)
• You cannot volley (hit the ball in the air) while standing in the kitchen or on the kitchen line.
• You can step into the kitchen only to hit a ball that has already bounced there.
• Must the First Two Bounces Avoid the Kitchen?
• The serve must NOT land in the kitchen or on the kitchen line—that is a fault.
• The return of serve and the third shot MAY bounce in the kitchen—that's allowed.
• The restriction is only on volleys played while standing in the kitchen.
Doubles Positioning
The server starts on the right side.
After each point won, the server switches sides with their partner.
When a side out occurs, the opposing team serves.
Odd But Important Rules
If the ball touches any part of the line, it's IN.
You must call out the score before each serve: (Your score) – (Opponent’s score) – (Server number).
