P
2025 Official Rules

Complete Pickleball Rule Book

Official rules, scoring, serving regulations, and tournament guidelines. Everything you need to play by the book.

Beginner's Guide
11 Points
Win by 2
34" Net
Center height
7ft Kitchen
No-volley zone
10 Seconds
To serve
Basic Rules & Scoring

The Two-Bounce Rule

After the serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce before returning. Then the serving team must also let the return bounce. After these two bounces, players may volley or play groundstrokes.

Scoring

  • • Games are played to 11 points, win by 2
  • • Only the serving team can score
  • • Score is called: Server Score - Receiver Score - Server Number
  • • Example: "4-2-1" means serving team has 4, receiving has 2, first server

The Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone)

  • • 7-foot zone on each side of the net
  • • No volleying while in or touching the kitchen
  • • Momentum cannot carry you into the kitchen after a volley
  • • You CAN enter to play a bounced ball, then exit

Common Faults

Ball hit out of bounds
Ball does not clear the net
Volleying from the non-volley zone (kitchen)
Volleying the serve return (two-bounce rule violation)
Ball bounces twice before being returned
Player touches the net or net post
Ball touches a player or their clothing
Double hit or carrying the ball
Serving motion violations
Foot fault on serve
Frequently Asked Questions

What are the basic rules of pickleball?

Pickleball is played to 11 points (win by 2). Only the serving team can score. The ball must bounce once on each side before volleys are allowed. Players cannot volley in the 7-foot non-volley zone (kitchen). Serves must be underhand and diagonal.

What is the kitchen rule in pickleball?

The kitchen (non-volley zone) is a 7-foot area on each side of the net. Players cannot volley the ball while standing in or touching the kitchen. You can enter the kitchen to play a ball that has bounced, but must exit before volleying again.

How do you keep score in pickleball?

Score is called as three numbers: serving team score, receiving team score, and server number (1 or 2). Only the serving team can score. Games are typically played to 11, win by 2. Tournament games may go to 15 or 21.

What is the two-bounce rule?

After the serve, the ball must bounce once on the receiving side before being returned, and then must bounce once on the serving side before being played. After these two bounces, players may volley or play off the bounce.

What are the serving rules in pickleball?

Serves must be underhand with contact below the waist. The paddle must move in an upward arc. Serves are made diagonally to the opposite court. The serve must clear the net and land in the correct service court.

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