Pickleball Rules – Complete Guide to Court, Serve and Scoring

Pickleball is a fast, fun and social sport combining elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. It is played on a small court with a solid ball and a paddle – easy to learn, but hard to master. Here you get a complete overview of all the key pickleball rules – so you can get started quickly.

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🏟️ The Court

According to the official pickleball rules, a pickleball court is 13.41 m long and 6.10 m wide – the same size as a doubles badminton court. The court is divided by a net that is 91.4 cm high in the middle and 107 cm at the posts.

Court Zones

• Service Boxes: Two service boxes on each side of the court, divided by the centre line.
• The Kitchen (No-Volley Zone): A 2.13 m wide area on both sides of the net, where volleying is not permitted.
• Baseline: The outermost line at the back of the court.

🏏 Equipment

• The Paddle: A solid paddle (not strung) made of composite, fibreglass or wood. The paddle is smaller than a tennis racket but larger than a table tennis bat.
• The Ball: A plastic ball with holes, similar to a wiffle ball. Outdoor balls have fewer and larger holes than indoor balls.
• The Net: A standard pickleball net mounted across the court, just like in tennis.

🎯 The Serve – How to Start the Game

The serve always starts from the right service box (at the start of the game) and alternates left and right based on the score. Here are the rules for a legal serve:

• The serve must be hit underhand – the ball must not be struck above waist level.
• The paddle head must be below the wrist at the moment of contact.
• The ball must land in the diagonally opposite service box – behind the kitchen line.
• Both feet must be behind the baseline during the serve. At least one foot must touch the baseline area.
• Only one serve attempt is allowed (except for a “let” – if the ball clips the net and lands correctly).

The serving player always announces the score before serving (e.g. “2-3-2” in doubles). The serve passes to the opponent if a fault is made or the return is lost.

⬇️ The Double Bounce Rule

This is one of pickleball’s most fundamental and unique rules – and the one that gives the game its distinctive pace and tactics:

• After the serve, the ball must bounce once on each side before players may volley (hit the ball out of the air).
• This means: the returning player lets the serve bounce, and the serving team lets the return bounce.
• After that, both teams may freely choose to volley or let the ball bounce.

The rule is called “Double Bounce” because the ball must bounce twice in total (once on each side) before open play begins.

🍳 The Kitchen (No-Volley Zone)

The kitchen is the zone 2.13 m from the net on both sides. This is where many of the game’s most important tactical rules apply.

• It is not permitted to volley the ball while standing in the kitchen or stepping on the kitchen line.
• If your momentum carries you into the kitchen after a volley, it is a fault – even if you were outside the zone when you hit the ball.
• You may enter the kitchen if the ball bounces there. You must simply step out of the zone again before volleying.
• A “dink” – a soft, controlled shot into the opponent’s kitchen – is a popular and effective tactic.

📊 Scoring

According to pickleball rules, games are normally played to 11 points, and you must win by at least 2 points. In tournaments, games are played to 15 or 21 points.

Basic Scoring Principles

• Only the serving side can score points. If the receiving team wins a rally, they win the right to serve – but not a point.
• In doubles, the score is announced using three numbers: serving team’s score – opponent’s score – server number (1 or 2). Example: “5-3-2” means the serving team has 5 points, the opponents have 3, and server number 2 is serving.
• Example: “5-3-2” means the serving team has 5 points, the opponents have 3, and it is server number 2 serving.
• In singles, only two numbers are announced: server’s score – opponent’s score.

Service Rotation in Doubles

Each team has two service turns (one per player) – except for the very first serve of the game, where the starting team only gets one attempt. Servers rotate within the team (from player 1 to player 2) and then to the opposing team if the second serve is lost.

❌ Faults

A breach of the pickleball rules – a fault – results in either loss of serve or a point to the opponent. Here are the most common faults:

• The ball lands outside the court or in the net.
• The ball is volleyed before it has bounced once on each side (violation of the double bounce rule).
• Volley executed in the kitchen or with momentum into the kitchen.
• The ball hits a player on the body.
• The serve lands in the kitchen or on the kitchen line.
• The serve hits the net and does not land correctly on the opposite side.
• The ball hits a fixed object (e.g. spectators, fence) before landing in the court.

⚖️ Fair Play and Special Rules

• Let Serve: If the serve hits the net and lands legally on the opposite side, the serve is replayed (instead of a fault). There is no limit on the number of let serves.
• Ball Contact: The ball may only be struck once per shot. A double hit is a fault.
• Line Balls: A ball on the line is in – except on a serve, where a ball landing on the kitchen line is out.
• Hinder Rule: If a player disturbs the opponent (physically or verbally), a “hindrance” can be called and the rally is replayed.
• Time-Out: Each team has 2 time-outs per match (1 minute each) in USAPA tournaments.

Ready to try the pickleball rules in action? Become a Member of Danske Pickleballers and start playing today. We also offer classes for adults 55+ – a fantastic community for all levels.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Pickleball

What is the kitchen in pickleball?

The kitchen (also called the No-Volley Zone) is the 2.13 m wide area on both sides of the net. You cannot volley the ball here – meaning you cannot hit the ball in the air while standing in the zone. You may enter the kitchen if the ball bounces there, but you must leave the zone before volleying. The kitchen is central to pickleball’s tactical play.

How many players are there in pickleball?

Pickleball is played either as singles (1 vs 1) or doubles (2 vs 2). Doubles is by far the most popular format and the one most often played at social events and tournaments. Mixed doubles – with one man and one woman on each team – is also very common.

What is the difference between pickleball and tennis?

Pickleball is played on a smaller court (about 1/4 of a tennis court), with a solid paddle (not a strung racket) and a plastic ball with holes. The net is lower and there is no overhead serve. This makes for a slower, more tactical game that is gentler on the body and easier to learn than tennis – but still full of strategy and competition.

Can you play pickleball indoors?

Yes! Pickleball can absolutely be played indoors – and many sports halls and facilities offer exactly this. Indoor play uses a slightly softer ball with larger holes than the outdoor ball. Indoors the game is a little slower and offers even better control, making it ideal for beginners and seniors.

How much does it cost to get started with pickleball?

Pickleball is one of the cheapest sports to get into. A beginner paddle typically costs DKK 150–400, and a ball costs DKK 20–50. Many clubs lend equipment for trial sessions. Club membership in Denmark varies but is typically in the range of DKK 500–1,500 per year. Overall, the start-up cost is very affordable compared to, say, golf or tennis.

What is a “dink” in pickleball?

A dink is a soft, controlled shot sent just over the net and landing in the opponent’s kitchen (No-Volley Zone). The aim is to force the opponent to hit the ball up from a low position, giving you a tactical advantage. Dink play is central to advanced pickleball and typically occurs with both teams standing at the net.

How long does a pickleball game last?

A singles or doubles game to 11 points typically lasts 15–25 minutes. In tournaments, games are often best of three sets (e.g. two sets to 11 and a deciding set to 15), and a full match takes 45–90 minutes. This makes pickleball a time-efficient sport that fits well into a busy schedule.

What is a “let” in pickleball?

A “let” is when the serve clips the net and then lands legally in the correct service box. The rally is stopped and the server gets to serve again – it does not count as a fault. There is no limit on how many consecutive lets are allowed.