Details
Basic Quick Start Pickleball Rules
THE SERVE:
Perform a coin toss and the winner can choose one of the following
a - The right to receive or serve. The loser can choose the side of court
b - The side of court and the loser can choose the right to serve or receive.
At the start of each game and every time the total score is an even number, the serve is from the right side of the service court. (Example: 12 serving to 10 is a total of 22 an even number)
When the total score is an odd number, then the serve is from the left side of the court.
The serve must be underhand, hit below the server’s waist, and the server must keep both feet behind the back line.
The ball has to be served diagonally cross court clearing the 7ft no volley zone and reaching the receiver’s service court to be an acceptable serve.
Each team must play their first shot off of the bounce. That is, the receiving team must let the serve bounce once and the server must let the return bounce. The players can then either volley or let the ball bounce once. Volleying is prohibited inside the “no volley” zone.
If the ball hits the net but still reaches the service court area, it is good and should be played.
If the server swings and misses when serving, it is a fault.
Points are only scored by the side that serves and the server continues until the team makes a fault.
PLAY:
If it is a good serve, players hit the ball back and forth over the net in the air making a volley.
The ball can bounce once until one player fails to return the ball or until a player hits the ball to the ground on the opponent’s side un-returned.
The serve must clear the “no volley” zone. Receiving team must let the ball bounce once and the serving team must also allow the ball to bounce once. After these two bounces, players can either volley the ball or bounce the ball. Volleying is prohibited inside the non-volley zone.
The ball is out of play if it lands outside the court or fails to go over the net.
Any ball that lands on the line is considered inbounds and playable.
If a player touches the net with his paddle or gets hit by the ball or hits the ball before it crosses the net, it is considered a fault.