Introduction
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Loved for its accessibility, social nature, and fast-paced action, it’s a great way to stay active and connect with others. Whether you’ve just heard about it or are getting ready for your first game, understanding the basic rules is the first step toward enjoying the court with confidence.

1. The Basics: What Is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It’s typically played on a smaller court with a perforated plastic ball (similar to a wiffle ball) and a paddle. The game can be played as singles or doubles, with doubles being more common.

2. Court Dimensions and Setup

• Court size: 20 feet wide x 44 feet long (same for singles and doubles)

• Net height: 36 inches at the sidelines, 34 inches at the center

• The court is divided into:

  • Two service courts (left and right)

  • A Non-Volley Zone (commonly called the “kitchen”)—7 feet from the net on both sides

3. How to Serve

• Underhand serve only: The ball must be hit below the waist with an upward motion.

• Serve diagonally: The serve must land in the opponent’s diagonal service court.

• Feet position: At least one foot must be behind the baseline at the moment of serving.

• One attempt only: No second serves are allowed (unless there's a "let" serve in casual play).

4. The Double-Bounce Rule

After the serve:

1. The receiving team must let the ball bounce once before returning it.

2. Then the serving team must also let it bounce once before hitting it.
   This “double-bounce rule” ensures rallies begin more slowly and reduces serve-volley advantages.

5. Volleys and the Kitchen Rule

• A volley is when you hit the ball in the air without letting it bounce.

• You cannot volley while standing inside the kitchen or touching the kitchen line.

• You may enter the kitchen to play a ball after it bounces, but must exit before hitting a volley.

6. Scoring System

• Games are typically played to 11 points, win by 2.

• Only the serving team can score points.

• In doubles:

  • Each player gets a turn to serve, except at the start of the game.

  • The score is called in three parts: [Serving Team Score] – [Receiving Team Score] – [Server Number] (e.g., 4–2–1).

7. Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

• Stepping into the kitchen while volleying

• Forgetting the double-bounce rule

• Not calling the score before serving

• Serving out of turn or from the wrong side

Conclusion

Pickleball is easy to learn and incredibly fun once you understand the basics. These simple rules help ensure fair, competitive, and enjoyable gameplay for all players. As you grow more confident, you’ll find that the strategy and nuance of the game add even more depth and excitement.