🥒 How to Play Pickleball (Beginner Instruction Sheet)
Objective of the Game
Score points by winning rallies when your team is serving.
The first team to reach 11 points (and win by 2 points) wins the game.
Starting the Game
The first serve is always made from the right side of the court.
The serve must travel diagonally cross-court.
Only the serving team can score points.
Serving Rules
The serve must be hit underhand and must contact the ball below waist level.
The paddle must contact the ball below the level of the waist.
The served ball must land in the diagonal service box beyond the Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen).
The server continues serving until they (or their partner, in doubles) commit a fault, which results in a side out.
Scoring Basics
Games are typically played to 11 points.
You must win by at least 2 points.
Only the serving team can score.
You must call out the score before each serve: (Your score) – (Opponent’s score) – (Server number, e.g., 1 or 2).
The Double Bounce Rule (Crucial!)
This rule applies to the start of the rally:
The Serve Must Bounce: The receiver must let the served ball bounce once before returning it.
The Return Must Bounce: The serving team must then let the return of the serve bounce once before hitting it.
Volleys Allowed After: After these first two bounces (one on each side), players may hit the ball either as a volley (in the air) or after it bounces.
No-Volley Zone (The Kitchen)
The "Kitchen" is the 7-foot area closest to the net.
Restriction: You cannot volley (hit the ball in the air) while standing in the Kitchen or when your foot is touching the Kitchen line.
Exception: You can step into the Kitchen only to hit a ball that has already bounced within the Kitchen. You must fully exit the Kitchen before attempting to volley again.
Kitchen & Serve Clarification
The serve must NOT land in the Kitchen or on the Kitchen line—that is a fault.
However, the return of the serve and any subsequent shots MAY bounce in the Kitchen—that is allowed. The restriction is only on volleys played while standing in the Kitchen.
Doubles Positioning
The server starts on the right side of the court.
After the serving team wins a point, the server switches sides with their partner.
When a "side out" occurs (the first server commits a fault), the serve goes to the opposing team.
Odd But Important Details
If the ball touches any part of a boundary line, it is considered IN (valid).
Always remember to call out the score correctly before every serve!