Pickleball Rules for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know

Pickleball has a reputation for being easy to learn, and it's true — you can start playing and having fun within minutes. But the game does have a few unique rules that set it apart from tennis and other paddle sports. This guide covers all the pickleball rules beginners need to know.

The Serve

In pickleball, the serve must be made underhand. The paddle must contact the ball below the server's waist, and the serve must travel diagonally across the court, landing in the opponent's service box. Each player gets one serve attempt (not two like in tennis).

In recreational and standard tournament play, if a serve hits the net and lands in the correct service box (past the Non-Volley Zone/kitchen line), the ball is live and play continues. There are no "lets" in standard play, so the receiver must return the ball.

A few specific details apply to this scenario:

• The Rule Difference: While you might see professionals (like those in the PPA) replay a serve that hits the net, that is an exception. According to the official USA Pickleball Rulebook, recreational players must always play the ball.
• The Kitchen Rule: If the serve hits the net and lands in the kitchen (the Non-Volley Zone) or touches the kitchen line, it is an immediate fault.
• Boundary Lines: As with any serve, if it hits the net and lands within the diagonal service box, the ball is considered good (the baseline, sideline, and centerlines are all in; only the kitchen line is out).

The Double-Bounce Rule

This is the most important rule for beginners to understand. After the serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce once before returning it, and the serving team must also let that return bounce once before hitting it. Only after these two bounces can either team hit the ball out of the air (volley). This rule prevents the serving team from rushing the net and dominating play, making the game more balanced and strategic.

The Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone)

The kitchen is the 7-foot area on both sides of the net. The most important kitchen rule: you cannot hit the ball out of the air (volley) while standing in the kitchen. You can enter the kitchen to hit a ball that has bounced, but you must step out before volleying. If you volley the ball while any part of your body is touching the kitchen line or the kitchen itself, it's a fault.

Scoring

Pickleball games are typically played to 11 points, and you must win by 2. Only the serving team can score points. In doubles, each player on the serving team serves before the serve passes to the other team. The score is called as three numbers: the serving team's score, the receiving team's score, and the server number (1 or 2).

Other Key Rules

• The ball must clear the net and land within the court boundaries to be in play.
• If the ball hits any line (except the kitchen line on a serve), it's considered in.
• A serve that lands in the kitchen is a fault (out).
• Players switch sides of the court after each point in singles, and based on the score in doubles.
• If a ball hits you or your partner, it's a fault against your team.

Common Beginner Mistakes

• Stepping into the kitchen to hit a volley — the most common fault among new players.
• Forgetting the double-bounce rule and hitting the return of serve out of the air.
• Serving too hard — a controlled, accurate serve is more effective than a powerful one.
• Trying to hit winners from the baseline instead of working your way to the net.

Learn the Rules on the Court

Reading the rules is helpful, but the best way to learn pickleball rules is to get on the court with a coach who can explain them in real time. GoodRally's beginner lessons and Foundations Clinic cover all the rules while you practice, so you'll understand them naturally as you play.