The Basics
Pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court with a slightly modified tennis net. It can be played as singles or doubles, with doubles being the most common format.
- Games are typically played to 11 points, win by 2
- Only the serving team can score points
- Matches are usually best of 3 games (depending on tournament format)
The Serve
- The serve must be underarm with the paddle below waist height
- Contact must be made below the navel
- The serve is hit diagonally into the opponent’s service box
- At least one foot must remain behind the baseline when serving
- Only one serve attempt is allowed (except in some beginner formats)
The Double Bounce Rule
This is one of the most important rules in pickleball:
- The receiving team must let the serve bounce once before returning
- The serving team must then also let the return bounce once
- After these two bounces, players can either volley (hit in the air) or play off the bounce
The Non-Volley Zone (The Kitchen)
- The area within 7 feet of the net on both sides is called the kitchen
- Players cannot volley (hit the ball in the air) while standing in this zone
- You can enter the kitchen to play a ball that has bounced
- You must not step into the kitchen after a volley (including momentum)
Scoring
- Only the serving side scores points
- Points are scored when the opposing team faults
- In doubles, each player on a team serves before the serve passes to the opponents (except at the start of the game)
Typical doubles score call includes three numbers:
- Serving team score – Receiving team score – Server number (1 or 2)
Faults (What Loses You the Point)
A fault occurs when:
- The ball is hit out of bounds
- The ball does not clear the net
- A player volleys in the kitchen
- The double bounce rule is broken
- The ball bounces twice before being returned
Winning the Game
- First team to 11 points (win by 2) wins the game
- Tournament formats may vary (e.g. games to 15 or 21)
Pickleball UK Tour Tip
We keep our tournaments friendly, fair, and competitive. If you’re new, don’t worry—our events are designed so you can learn quickly and enjoy every match.
