Pickleball Rules and Regulations by Paddleone

1. The Serve Serving Mechanics Underhand Contact: The serve must be hit underhand, and contact with the ball must be made below the waist. The paddle head must be lower than the highest part of the wrist at the moment of contact. Drop Serve: Alternatively, a "drop serve" is legal. You simply drop the ball from your hand and hit it with no specific paddle-hand restrictions. Rules of Execution Positioning: Both feet must be behind the baseline, and neither can touch the baseline or court until after the ball is struck. Trajectory: The serve must be hit diagonally cross-court and must clear the non-volley zone (including the line). Attempts: Only one serve attempt is allowed per server, with no "lets" (if the ball hits the net and lands correctly, play continues). 2. The Two-Bounce Rule Receiver's Turn: When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce once before hitting it back. Server's Turn: When the ball is returned, the serving team must also let it bounce once before hitting it. Volleys: After these two bounces have occurred, both teams are allowed to either volley the ball (hit it out of the air) or play it off the bounce. 3. The Non-Volley Zone ("The Kitchen") Definition: The non-volley zone is the 7-foot area on both sides of the net. Volley Rule: You cannot hit a volley (hitting the ball out of the air) while standing inside the non-volley zone. Momentum: A fault occurs if your momentum, or any part of your body/clothing, carries you into the kitchen during or immediately after a volley shot. You cannot step into the kitchen to celebrate a volley or if a ball pulls you forward. Exceptions: You are completely allowed to be inside the non-volley zone to hit a ball that has already bounced. 4. Scoring & Serving Sequence Scoring on Serve: Points are scored only by the serving team. Games are typically played to 11 points, and the winning team must win by a margin of 2 points. Calling the Score: In doubles, the score is called out as three numbers: serving team score - receiving team score - server number (1 or 2). For example, "4 - 3 - 1" means the serving team has 4 points, the receiving team has 3 points, and it is the first server's turn. Service Turn: At the start of a new game, the first serving team is granted only one server. After the first side-out, both players on a team get a turn to serve. When the first server loses a rally, the serve goes to their partner. When the second server loses the rally, it is a "side-out," and the serve transfers to the opposing team. 5. Faults A rally ends in a fault if a player: Hits the ball out of bounds. Hits the ball into the net. Hits a volley while standing in the non-volley zone. Fails to clear the two-bounce rule. Touches the net or net post with their paddle or body while the ball is in play.