Yes, but only as one unintentional, continuous swing by one player.
If you have asked can you hit the ball twice in pickleball, you are not alone. I coach and ref at local clubs, and I see this call often. The rule is clear, but the gray areas can trip players up. This guide explains what is legal, what is not, and how to play clean. You will learn the rule, real examples, drills, and smart tactics.
The official rule: double hits and continuous motion
Can you hit the ball twice in pickleball? The official rule says yes, but only in a very narrow way. A double contact is allowed if it is unintentional, by one player, and part of a single, continuous swing. If you swing once and the ball clicks your paddle twice in one motion, play on.
Here is the simple rule set most clubs follow:
- A double hit is legal when it happens in one continuous stroke by one player.
- If two teammates both touch the ball before it crosses the net, it is a fault.
- Your paddle hand below the wrist counts as the paddle. That contact is legal.
- If the ball touches any other part of your body or clothing, it is a fault.
- An obvious carry or scoop that is intentional is a fault.
So, can you hit the ball twice in pickleball? Yes, but it must be one motion, unplanned, and by one player. Anything else is a fault under standard USA Pickleball rules.
Legal vs illegal: real-court examples
Let us make this rule easy with clear scenes I see in matches.
Legal examples:
- You swing once on a volley. The ball taps the edge and then the face in one motion. Rally continues.
- A fast dink catches your paddle and also your paddle hand below the wrist during one swing. That counts as one contact.
- A scramble block where the ball stays on the paddle a split instant during a single stroke. If not deliberate, it is fine.
Illegal examples:
- You pop the ball up. Your partner then takes another swipe before it crosses the net. That is a fault.
- You block, then swing again and hit it a second time. Two swings equals a fault.
- The ball hits your paddle, then your arm above the wrist, and goes over. That is a fault.
- You trap the ball on the paddle and push it with control. That is an intentional carry and a fault.
If you wonder can you hit the ball twice in pickleball when saving a hard drive, remember the test. One player, one swing, no control of a carry.
How refs and leagues call it
In refed play, the call rests on intent and motion. If a double contact is part of one clean stroke, refs let it go. If there is a stop, a second swing, or a push, they call a fault.
In rec play, many games are self-officiated. Call faults on yourself when you feel a clear double swing or a body touch. If you are unsure, give your opponent the benefit. Can you hit the ball twice in pickleball and avoid arguments? Yes. Learn the standard and be consistent.
Tips I use as a ref:
- Watch the paddle path. One smooth arc is legal. A second jab is not.
- Listen for two spaced sounds that suggest two swings.
- Look for a pause or catch that shows control of a carry.
How to avoid illegal double hits
Most illegal double hits come from panic or poor spacing. You can fix that with simple habits.
Footwork and spacing:
- Stay light on your toes at the kitchen. Small steps beat big lunges.
- Keep the contact zone in front of your body. Do not reach behind you.
- Slide, do not stab, when you read a dink to your feet.
Paddle control:
- Use a soft, stable wrist at the net. Let the ball meet a still paddle.
- Shorten your swing on fast balls. Block, do not swat.
- Keep a loose grip for touch. A death grip invites mishits.
Drills I teach:
- Wall blocks for two minutes. Hold the paddle still and absorb light tosses.
- Partner rapid-fire at half speed. Aim to make one quiet, clean touch each time.
- Dink ladder. Ten cross-court dinks with a still wrist before you speed up.
Can you hit the ball twice in pickleball during these drills? Do not try. Train clean, single-contact strokes so legal double taps happen less.
Tactics that stay within the rule
You do not need risky tricks to win points. Play smart inside the rule.
Safe, legal ideas:
- Use a soft block on body shots. One smooth motion controls pace.
- Add a tiny shoulder turn, not a wrist flick, on resets.
- Float deep returns high and safe. Set yourself for the third shot.
- On overheads, swing once and through the ball. Do not chop twice.
Players ask me, can you hit the ball twice in pickleball to “save” a shank. You should not plan on it. Build stable contact so you rely on sound form, not lucky double taps.
Faults, points, and what happens next
Here is what happens after a fault for an illegal double hit. In side-out scoring, a serving team fault ends that server’s turn. If it was the second server, the serve moves to the other team. If the receiving team commits the fault, the serving team wins a point.
In rally scoring events, a fault gives a point to the other team. The server then changes by event rules. Can you hit the ball twice in pickleball and keep a rally alive? Only when it meets the legal test. Err on the safe side and play the next ball.
If you disagree with a call, pause, be calm, and discuss. Use the rule words. One player, one continuous stroke, no control of a carry.
Frequently Asked Questions of can you hit the ball twice in pickleball
Can you hit the ball twice in pickleball if it is unintentional?
Yes, if it is one continuous swing by one player. If there is a second swing or control of a carry, it is a fault.
Can both partners touch the ball before it goes over the net?
No. Only one player may contact the ball on a side. Two players touching it is a team fault.
Does the paddle hand count as part of the paddle?
Yes. Contact below the wrist on the paddle hand is legal. Any contact with other body parts or clothing is a fault.
How do refs judge a carry or double hit?
Refs look for a single, smooth stroke without a pause. An obvious push, scoop, or second swing is called a fault.
Can you hit the ball twice in pickleball on a block at the kitchen?
It is allowed only if the two contacts happen during one clean, single motion. A stop or second jab makes it a fault.
What if the ball hits my paddle, then my arm, and goes over?
That is a fault because the ball touched your body above the wrist. The rally ends in favor of the other team.
Can you hit the ball twice in pickleball on an overhead smash?
It is legal only if the two contacts occur in one continuous swing. If you swing again to clean it up, that is a fault.
Conclusion
The heart of the rule is simple. One player, one continuous swing, no control of a carry. That is when a double contact is legal. Everything else is a fault, whether it is a second swing, a body touch, or a partner touch.
Use the tips here to steady your paddle, clean up your contact, and make clear calls. Practice the drills, watch your footwork, and choose safe, smart shots. Ready to level up your rules IQ and your touch game? Subscribe for more pickleball guides, share this with your partner, and drop your questions in the comments.