How Do You Play Pickleball Rules?: Quick Beginner Guide

Serve underhand, let two bounces happen, avoid kitchen volleys, and score to eleven.

If you’ve wondered how do you play pickleball rules?, you’re in the right place. I coach new players and teach leagues, and I’ve seen what speeds up learning. This guide breaks down the court, scoring, serving, the kitchen, and the key mistakes to avoid. By the end, you’ll know how do you play pickleball rules? from first serve to match point.

Court, gear, and setup essentials

New players often ask how do you play pickleball rules? when they see a small court and a fast game. The court is 20 feet by 44 feet. The non-volley zone, called the kitchen, is 7 feet from the net on both sides. You can step in the kitchen, but you cannot volley there.

You only need a paddle and a perforated ball. Wear court shoes for grip and safety. Set up a net at 34 inches in the center and 36 inches at the posts.

A few quick setup tips I use with beginners:

Use painter’s tape or a chalk kit to mark the kitchen lines.
Keep two balls in your pocket to avoid delays.
Stand two feet behind the baseline to return deep serves.

Scoring and serving basics

When people ask how do you play pickleball rules?, scoring and serving are the first hurdles. You score only when your team serves. Most games go to 11 points, win by 2. Some events use 15 or 21.

Serving rules, made simple:

Serve underhand, with the ball struck below your waist. The arm moves up at contact.
Serve crosscourt into the opposite service box.
At least one foot must be behind the baseline at contact.
You may use a drop serve. Drop the ball from your hand or paddle. Let it bounce. Then hit. Do not toss it upward.

Doubles serving sequence:

Start the game with the serve called 0-0-2. Only one player on the first team serves before a side out.
After that, both partners get a turn to serve on each side out.
The server switches sides after each point scored. Receivers do not switch sides when the serving team scores.

Singles serving notes:

Serve from the right when your score is even, from the left when odd.

The two-bounce rule and the non-volley zone

How do you play pickleball rules? starts with two core ideas: the two-bounce rule and the kitchen. After the serve, the ball must bounce once on the return. Then it must bounce once on the serving team’s next shot. Only after those two bounces can either side volley.

Kitchen rules made clear:

You cannot volley while you or anything you wear touches the kitchen or its line.
You can step in to play a ball that has bounced. Then get out fast.
Momentum counts. If you volley and your body or paddle falls into the kitchen, that is a fault.

A helpful cue I use with new players: say “bounce-bounce” out loud on serve and return. It builds a habit in one session.

Faults, lets, and line calls

If you still wonder how do you play pickleball rules?, know the common faults. A fault ends the rally. It may give the other team the serve or a point if they were serving.

Common faults:

The serve lands short, long, or in the wrong box.
On a serve, hitting the kitchen line is a fault. On other shots, lines are in.
Volleying while on or in the kitchen.
Double-bounce on one side or hitting the net without clearing it.
Hitting the ball out or the ball touching your body or clothing.
Wrong server or wrong receiver touching the ball.

About let serves:

Official rules remove the let on serves. If a serve clips the net and lands in, play it.
Some casual groups still call lets. Decide before you start.

Line calls and fairness:

If you are not sure, the ball is in. Give your opponent the call if you did not see it.
Call your own kitchen and foot faults. It builds trust and keeps play smooth.

Singles vs doubles differences

Many players search how do you play pickleball rules? and then jump into doubles. Doubles is the most common format, but singles is great for fitness.

Key differences:

Doubles uses the server number call: server score, receiver score, then 1 or 2.
Singles uses only server score then receiver score. No server number.
Serve positions differ in singles. Even score serves from the right, odd from the left.

Movement patterns:

In doubles, think shoulder-to-shoulder at the kitchen line with your partner.
In singles, guard the middle and recover to center after wide shots.

Strategy that fits the rules

Once you grasp how do you play pickleball rules?, add simple tactics. Strategy flows from rules like the kitchen and the two-bounce rule.

High-impact tips:

Serve deep and return deep. Depth buys time and forces errors.
Third shot drop into the kitchen. It lets you and your partner move up.
Dink crosscourt more than down the line. You get a lower net and a longer target.
Aim at feet when your opponent is transitioning. Low balls are hard to volley.

From my coaching notes:

New players swing big and hit long. I cue them to “swing like a handshake.” It keeps the paddle face steady.
Call “mine” and “yours” early. Clear calls cut half of rookie errors.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

I hear how do you play pickleball rules? most after these avoidable errors. Fix them fast with simple checks.

Frequent mistakes:

Kitchen foot faults on volleys. Solution: plant behind the line and split-step.
Rushing the two-bounce rule. Solution: say “bounce-bounce” every serve and return.
Serving too hard and missing. Solution: aim 80% power, 100% placement.
Floating returns short. Solution: return deep to the middle player.
Standing at the baseline too long. Solution: split-step, then move to the kitchen with small steps.

Drills I give beginners:

Serve 20 balls to each corner. Track makes.
Dink crosscourt for 5 minutes. Keep the ball below net height.
Third shot drop from the baseline. Target the kitchen and step in.

Safety, etiquette, and match flow

Before you type how do you play pickleball rules? again, lock in court manners. Good habits keep games safe and fun.

Simple etiquette:

Call the score loud before each serve.
Wait for the receivers to be ready.
Return other courts’ balls with a gentle roll, not a rocket.
Own your faults and respect line calls.

Safety basics:

Warm up for five minutes. Ankles, calves, and shoulders matter.
Wear eye protection if play gets fast.
Hydrate and rest on hot days.

Match flow tips:

Use two timeouts per game in events. Reset your plan, not just your breath.
Between points, agree on score if there is any doubt.

Frequently Asked Questions of how do you play pickleball rules?

What score do you play to in pickleball?

Most games go to 11, win by 2. Some leagues or tournaments use 15 or 21, win by 2.

Can I volley in the kitchen?

No. You cannot volley while touching the kitchen or its line. You may step in only to play a ball that has bounced.

Do I have to let the ball bounce after the serve?

Yes. The return must bounce, and then the next shot by the serving team must also bounce. After those two bounces, volleys are allowed.

How do you call the score in doubles?

Call server score, receiver score, then the server number (1 or 2). The first call of the game is 0-0-2.

Are let serves allowed?

Official rules say play on when a serve clips the net and lands in. Some casual groups still call lets, so agree before play.

How do you play pickleball rules? in one line?

Serve underhand, honor two bounces, avoid kitchen volleys, and score only on your serve.

Conclusion

You now have the full picture: the court, scoring, serving, the two-bounce rule, and the kitchen. You also know the key faults, the doubles flow, and the simple tactics that win points. If a friend asks how do you play pickleball rules?, you can teach them in minutes.

Grab a paddle, print these tips, and play a short game to 11. Practice your serve, your deep return, and one third shot drop each rally. Ready to level up? Subscribe for drills, strategy checklists, and weekly rule updates.