5 Basic Rules of Pickleball for Your First Game

Use these as a starting point, then add detail as you play. Your group should agree on the scoring format and target score before the first serve.

1. How do you serve legally?

Serve from behind the baseline into the opposite diagonal service court. The ball must land beyond the kitchen and its line. A serve touching the baseline, sideline, or centerline of the correct service court is in; touching the kitchen line is a fault.

Pickleball permits a volley serve and a drop serve under USA Pickleball rules. Their swing requirements differ, while the serving-foot rules apply to both. The serving guide explains the motions and legal foot position.

2. What is the two-bounce rule?

The receiving side must let the serve bounce before returning it. Then the serving side must let the return bounce before hitting its next shot. After that, either side may volley or play the ball after a bounce.

Remember “one bounce on each side.” This rule concerns the opening serve and return; it does not allow two bounces before you return a later shot.

3. What is the kitchen rule?

A volley is a shot hit before the ball bounces. You cannot volley while touching the kitchen or its line, and your momentum from a volley cannot carry you into the zone.

You may enter the kitchen to hit a bounced ball. Establish both feet outside it before your next volley. The kitchen guide explains the common situations.

4. Who scores points in traditional pickleball?

When the serving side wins a rally, it gains a point. When the receiving side wins, the serve moves to the next server or changes teams, depending on the service turn. In doubles, each team normally gets two servers before a side out; the opening team gets only one.

Games commonly go to 11, win by two. Call 0-0-2 to begin traditional doubles. The scoring guide shows the full sequence.

5. Do lines count as in?

A ball touching a boundary line is in, with the serve's kitchen-line exception described above. In self-officiated play, call a ball out only when you clearly see it out. Give the opponent the benefit of doubt.

Two common serving questions

How many serve attempts do you get in pickleball?

You get one serve attempt under USA Pickleball rules. A service fault ends that server's turn; it does not give the same player a second attempt.

Can a pickleball serve touch the net?

Yes. A serve that touches the net and lands in the correct diagonal service court beyond the kitchen and its line remains in play.

Before your first game, practice a few serves and say the opening score together. During rallies, focus on the two opening bounces and your feet near the kitchen. The USA Pickleball rulebook is there when you need a fuller answer.