What Is Pickleball

To begin play, the ball is served diagonally crosscourt in an underhand motion without bouncing the ball in the server's court.

Points are scored by the serving side only and occur when the opponent faults (fails to return the ball, hits ball out of bounds, etc.). The server continues to serve, alternating service courts, until the serving side faults. The first side scoring 11 points and leading by at least a 2-point margin wins. If both sides are tied, then play continues until one side wins by 2 points.

Pickleball Serving Rules

Service always begins on the right-hand court, and alternates between the left- and right-hand court after each point scored by the serving side. The serve switches after a fault is made by the serving side. In a doubles format, the serve switches to the 1st server's partner before switching to the opposing team. Serves should always be done underhand with the paddle below the waist. The server must keep both feet behind the back line when serving. When serving, the pickleball ball should be hit into the air without being bounced. The server isn't allowed to bounce the pickleball ball and hit it off the bounce. Only one serve attempt is allowed, except if the pickleball touches the net on the serve and lands in the proper service court. If this happens, the serve may be taken over again. At the start of each new game, the first team serving is allowed only one fault before they must give the pickleball ball up to their opponents. Thereafter, both members of each time get a chance to serve and fault before they hand the pickleball back over to the opposing team again. When the receiving team wins the serve, the right-hand court player will always start play.

Pickleball Court Size

The dimensions and measurements for the standard pickleball court are 20 feet wide by 44 feet long for both singles and doubles matches. Court lines should be 2 inches wide and measurements should be made to the outside of the lines.