Pickle-ball
This video gives a short overview of the court lines and Rules in two minutes!
Rules of the Game:
Pickle-ball is played on a badminton-sized court: 20’ x 44.’ The ball is served diagonally (starting with the right-hand service-square), and points can only be scored by the side that serves.
Players on each side must let the ball bounce once before volleys are allowed, and there is a seven-foot no-volley zone on each side of the net, to prevent “spiking.” The server continues to serve, alternating service courts, until he or she faults. The first side scoring eleven points and leading by at least two points wins. Pickle-ball can be played with singles or doubles.
Serving
Serves should always be done underhand with the paddle below the waist. The serving side will continue to serve until there is a fault on the service, at which point the service will be given to the opposing side. (However, if the ball touches the net but still lands within the appropriate service court, the serve may be redone.
The service is made underhand with the paddle contacting the ball below the waist. The service is made diagonally cross court and must clear the non-volley zone, including the line (A serve that hits the non-volley zone line is out). Only one serve attempt is allowed, except if the ball touches the net on the serve and lands in the proper service court,in this case the serve may be replayed.
Volleys
To volley means to hit a ball in the air without first letting it bounce. In Pickle-ball®, this can only be done when the player’s feet are behind the non-volley zone line (seven feet behind the net). Note: It is a fault if the player steps over the line on his volley follow-through.
Double-Bounce Rule
The Two Bounce Rule is where each team must play their first shot off of the bounce. That is, the receiving team must let the serve bounce and the serving team must let the return of the serve bounce before playing it. Once these two bounces have occurred, the ball can either be volleyed or played off the bounce.
Fault
A fault is committed when the ball:
- Touches any part of the non-volley zone on the serve (including the line).
- Is hit out of bounds
- Does not clear the net
- Is volleyed from the non-volley zone
- Is volleyed before a bounce has occurred on each side
Scoring
A team shall score a point only when serving. A player who is serving shall continue to do so until a fault is made by his/her team. The game is played to 11 points.