How do I play pickleball?

Use the image to the right as reference. This year, the tournament will be played according to USAPA rules. For a more detailed explanation, please navigate to their website. Matches will be played up to 15 points, win-by-two.

Serving

• The server must be standing completely behind the baseline while delivering a serve. 

• The ball must be hit underhanded and below the waist of the server. 

• The ball must land on the other side of the net, in the opposite half of the court, and beyond the No Volley Zone line.

• If the ball bounces off of the net and still lands in, that ball is in play (i.e. "Lets" are live).

Two Bounce Rule

• The "Two Bounce Rule" refers to the first two hits of the ball - the serve and the return. 

• The serve must bounce on the opposite side of the net before the returners are allowed to hit it. Similarly, the return of the serve must bounce on the original side of the court before the serving team is allowed to hit it. 

• You may not hit the ball out of the air (i.e. without it bouncing) until the ball has crossed the net twice. 

• After the ball has made two passes over the net, bouncing both times, both teams are allowed to hit the ball before it bounces (volley) for the rest of the point.

No Volley Zone

• The No Volley Zone, affectionately referred to as "The Kitchen," is the area on the court where volleying is prohibited. 

• No part of your body or anything you are touching (clothing/paddle/etc.) is allowed to touch the ground of the No Volley Zone during or after a volley, including the boundary lines. 

• Stepping on the Kitchen or Kitchen lines due to forward momentum after a shot is also prohibited. 

• You may enter the No Volley Zone to retrieve a ball that has bounced inside the No Volley Zone lines. 

• If you are in the Kitchen or end up in the Kitchen after hitting a ball before it has bounced, you lose the point.

Keeping Score

• Points can only be scored by the serving team.

• Teams will switch sides after a total of 10 points have been scored.

• The match will end when one team reaches a total of 11 points, win-by-two.
  Below is the serving order that will be followed:

1. Team 1 begins serving from the right side of the court until they lose.

2. Team 2 begins serving with whichever player is on the right side of the court until they lose.

3. Team 2 serves with their remaining player until they lose.

4. Team 1 begins serving with whichever player is on the right side of the court until they lose.

5. Team 1 serves with their remaining player until they lose.
   Return to step 2.