Pickleball is a racquet sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. It is played with a perforated plastic ball and wooden or composite paddles. The game is played on a rectangular court with lines similar to a doubles badminton court, and is similar to tennis in that players use serves to start each rally. The main differences between pickleball and other racquet sports are the size of the court, the size and type of ball, and the size of the paddles.
Here are the basic rules of pickleball:
The court
Pickleball is played on a rectangular court that measures 20 feet by 44 feet for doubles play and 20 feet by 34 feet for singles play. The court is divided into two equal halves by a net that is hung at a height of 36 inches at the center and 34 inches at the sidelines.
The serve
A player serves the ball diagonally, similar to tennis. The serve must be made underhand and must be hit below the waist. The serve must be made from behind the baseline on the right side of the court for the first serve and from behind the baseline on the left side of the court for the second serve. If a player misses their first serve, they get a second serve. If a player misses both serves, it is a fault and the other team scores a point.
The return of serve
The receiving team must let the ball bounce on their side of the court before they hit it back to the serving team. If the ball is hit directly back to the serving team without bouncing, it is a fault and the serving team scores a point.
Scoring
Points are scored when the serving team faults (misses their serve or hits the ball out of bounds), or when the receiving team hits the ball out of bounds or into the net. If the serving team wins the rally, they score a point and get to serve again. If the receiving team wins the rally, they score a point and become the serving team.
The game
Pickleball is typically played to 11 points, but must be won by at least a two-point margin. If the score reaches 10-10, the game continues until one team has a two-point lead.
Paddle and ball
Players use wooden or composite paddles to hit the perforated plastic ball. The ball is slightly larger and slower than a tennis ball, and is similar in size and weight to a wiffle ball.
Dink shots
Dink shots are soft, low-impact shots that are hit gently over the net and are used to control the game and set up scoring opportunities.
Volleys
Volleys are shots that are hit before the ball bounces on the court. Players are not allowed to volley the ball on their own side of the net, but they can volley the ball on the opponent’s side of the net as long as it has not bounced.
Doubles play
In doubles play, players stand on opposite sides of the court, with one player on the right side and one player on the left side. The player on the right side serves first, and then players alternate serves every two points.
