Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. It is played on a badminton-sized court with a slightly modified tennis net. Players use solid paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball over the net. Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles.

Basic Rules

• The ball must bounce once on each side of the court before either team can volley it.
• Players cannot volley the ball while standing within the non-volley zone, also known as the kitchen.
• The serve must be hit underhand and must bounce once in the opponent's service court before being returned.
• Points can only be scored by the serving team.
• The first team to reach 11 points and win by at least 2 points wins the game.

Serving

• The server must stand behind the baseline and within the imaginary extension of the sideline.
• The server must hit the ball underhand and below the waist.
• The serve must bounce once in the opponent's service court before being returned.
• The server cannot volley the ball until it has bounced on both sides of the court.

Returning the Serve

• The receiving team must let the ball bounce once before returning it.
• After the ball has bounced once on each side of the court, either team can volley it.
• Players cannot volley the ball while standing within the non-volley zone.

Volley

• A volley is a shot that is hit before the ball bounces.
• Players cannot volley the ball while standing within the non-volley zone.

Non-Volley Zone

• The non-volley zone, also known as the kitchen, is the area within 7 feet of the net on either side of the court.
• Players cannot volley the ball while standing within the non-volley zone, unless the ball has already bounced on their side of the court.

Scoring

• Points can only be scored by the serving team.
• The serving team scores a point if the receiving team:
  • Fails to return the ball over the net.
  • Hits the ball out of bounds.
  • Hits the ball into the net.
  • Volleys the ball from within the non-volley zone.
  • Commits a double fault.
• The first team to reach 11 points and win by at least 2 points wins the game.

Other Rules

• Players cannot touch the net with their body or paddle.
• Players cannot hit the ball twice in a row.
• Players cannot obstruct the opponent's view of the ball.

Faults

• A fault is a violation of the rules.
• If a player commits a fault, the opposing team gets the point.
• Some common faults include:
  • Serving from the wrong side of the court
  • Hitting the ball out of bounds
  • Volleying the ball from within the non-volley zone
  • Hitting the ball twice in a row
  • Touching the net with your body or paddle
  • Obstructing the opponent's view of the ball

Pickleball is a fun and challenging sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. It is a great way to get exercise and have fun with friends and family.