Pickleball rules - how to get started
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We try to summarize the rules of pickleball in a form that is as easy to understand as possible, and don't worry, they're surprisingly simple. Especially if you already have experience with other racquet sports, you'll quickly get the hang of it. Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis in a fun way.
Playing field and equipment
Pickleball is played on a court the size of a badminton court, but with a lower net, like in tennis. The equipment is slightly larger rackets resembling ping-pong rackets and a perforated plastic ball resembling a floorball. The game can be played in singles or doubles, making it suitable for a variety of situations and groups.
Starting the game
The game begins with a pass, which is made from below. The pass must hit the cross-court area of the opposing team's court. If the pass fails, the turn passes to the next player.
Basic rules during the game
- The ball may only be hit after it has bounced once on the ground on both sides. This rule is known as the two-bounce rule.
- After this, the ball remains in play until it enters the net, goes out of bounds, or a player commits a foul, such as not following the two-bounce rule or committing a kitchen foul.
- The special area in pickleball is the "kitchen", a restricted area near the net where you are not allowed to hit the ball directly from the air (non-volley area).
Points and winning
Points can only be scored on the serve. The first player to reach 11 points wins, but the winner must be at least two points ahead of their opponent.
Pickleball is a versatile and addictive game that is suitable for players of all ages and levels. If the rules still seem complicated, The best way to learn is by playing and reviewing the rules as you play! Below you will find a downloadable PDF document with the official rules of the sport. We also recommend reading the more extensive official rules of the game, which will help you play the official game according to the exact rules! Let's remember that Pickleball is for fun and keep the gentlemanly rules in mind when playing, have fun playing!
Pickleball Official Rulebook 2024:
https://usapickleball.org/docs/USA-Pickleball-Official-Rulebook-2024-v1.pdf