What Is A Fault In Pickleball: Rules, Examples, Tips

A fault in pickleball is any rule violation that stops play and costs a rally.

If you want clean points and fewer arguments, you need to know what is a fault in pickleball inside and out. I coach new and mid-level players, and I see the same mistakes at every open play. This guide breaks down what is a fault in pickleball with clear examples, simple tips, and real-court lessons so you can play smarter, stay calm, and win more rallies.

What is a fault in pickleball?

A fault is a rule break that ends the rally. The team that commits it loses the point or side out. If you are asking what is a fault in pickleball, think of it like a traffic stop. You do something outside the rules, and play halts on the spot.

Here are plain examples of faults:

The serve lands out or in the net. Rally ends.
You volley while your foot is in the kitchen. Rally ends.
You hit the return of serve before it bounces. Rally ends.
The ball hits you or your clothes before it bounces out. Rally ends.
You touch the net with your paddle or body. Rally ends.

Official rule sets update each year. If you want the exact language, check the most recent rulebook. But the spirit is steady. Break a rule, and the rally stops. If your goal is to grasp what is a fault in pickleball, keep a focus on timing, position, and court lines.

The most common faults, with real-court examples

Understanding what is a fault in pickleball gets easier when you see it on court. These are the ones I see most.

Serving faults

Ball lands out, short, or on the wrong side. The serve must land in the diagonal box beyond the kitchen line.
Foot fault on the serve. At contact, at least one foot must be on or behind the baseline. Neither foot may touch the court inside the baseline.
Illegal serve method. You must hit the ball underhand or use a legal drop serve. The contact point must be below your waist on a volley serve. Spin serves made by the paddle face are fine, but you may not use a chainsaw style with the non-paddle hand in many formats.
Ball hits the net and does not land in. That is a fault. Net-cord balls that land in play are good. There are no let serves in most play.

Coaching tip: I tell players to pause, call the score, breathe, then serve. It cuts serve faults by half.

Kitchen and volley faults

Volleying while in the kitchen. If you hit the ball in the air, you cannot touch the kitchen line or the kitchen itself during the swing or the follow-through.
Momentum carries you in. Even if you strike from outside, if your momentum takes you into the kitchen after a volley, it is a fault.
Touching the net. If your paddle, clothes, or body touches the net, it is a fault.

Visual check: I coach a “plant, hit, freeze” drill. Plant your feet outside the line, hit, then freeze for a beat. If you fall forward, you know your risk.

Two-bounce rule faults

Volleying the serve or the return. The ball must bounce once on each side before any volley happens. If you rush and swing before the bounce on those first two shots, it is a fault.

Game plan: As a server, expect a deep return and get ready to let it bounce. As a returner, step in, hit deep, then split step and wait for the bounce.

Boundary and contact faults

Ball out of bounds. Any part of the ball on or inside the line is in. All out means out.
Ball hits you or your gear. If the ball strikes you or your paddle hand above the wrist before bouncing, and it was in, it is your fault. If it clearly would have landed out and it hits you before the bounce, it is still your fault.
Double hit or carry. One clean hit. A continuous, one-stroke deflection is allowed, but a clear second swing or a scoop is a fault.
Permanent objects. If the ball hits a wall, fence, post, or ceiling before landing in, the hitter’s side faults.

Knowing these details locks in your sense of what is a fault in pickleball and keeps chaos off the court.

Fault vs let vs dead ball

Players often mix these up. If you are still wondering what is a fault in pickleball compared to a let or a dead ball, here is the clean split.

Fault: A rule break ends the rally. Point or side out goes to the other team.
Let: A replay due to a valid hinder or stoppage. For example, a ball rolls on court and distracts play. In many leagues, serve lets do not exist anymore.
Dead ball: The rally is over. The ball cannot be played. It can be due to a fault, out call, or the ball not crossing the net.

As a rule of thumb, a let is rare. Most stoppages are faults or out calls.

How faults affect scoring and momentum

If you ask what is a fault in pickleball in terms of impact, it is a swing of control. A single fault can flip serve or hand the other team a point.

Faults matter because:

They award points when you are serving.
They force side outs when you are receiving.
They drain momentum. Two quick faults can shift a game fast.
They raise stress. Tight players make more errors.

I tell my players to protect three shots: the serve, the return, and the third. Cut faults on those, and your win rate jumps.

How to avoid faults: simple habits and drills

Want to stop asking what is a fault in pickleball and start playing clean? Use these steps.

Habits to adopt:

Call the score, pause, then serve. It sets your feet and focus.
Aim big targets. Corners are fun, but deep middle is safer.
Respect the kitchen. Land, hit, and hold your finish outside the line.
Wait for the bounce on first two shots. Count “one, two” on serve and return.
Move your feet, not your reach. Reaching creates net and kitchen touches.

Drills that work:

Baseline serve ladder. Serve ten balls to deep middle. Then ten to deep backhand. Record makes.
Kitchen line freeze. Volley from just behind the line. After each swing, freeze for a beat. If you step in, reset.
Bounce and call. In warm-ups, the returner calls “bounce” out loud until it becomes a habit.
Shadow footwork. Practice split step, cross step, plant, and recover without a ball. Good feet stop most faults.

Gear checks:

Wear grippy shoes. Slips cause kitchen faults.
Use bright balls in low light. You will track bounces better.
Mark lines well if you set up a temp court. Blurry lines cause bad calls.

Who calls faults and how to handle disputes

This is where knowing what is a fault in pickleball helps you stay cool.

In recreational play:

Each side calls its own faults and lines on its side.
Give benefit of the doubt to your opponent.
If you disagree, replay the point.

In officiated play:

The referee calls server faults, foot faults, NVZ faults on volleys, and more.
Players still own some line calls on their side.
You can appeal. If not sure, many refs will call a replay.

Communication tips:

Speak early and clear. Say “foot fault,” not “you stepped.”
Keep your tone calm. Play on fast. Long talks tilt the match.

Edge cases and new rule notes to watch

Rules evolve. If you care about what is a fault in pickleball at tournament level, track yearly updates.

Points to watch:

Serve style. Many events ban the chainsaw spin serve. Underhand or drop serve is the safe path.
Wrong server or position. In events, the rally can be stopped and a fault called if the wrong player served or received. In casual play, most people replay.
Distractions and hinders. Yelling or fake moves that distract can be a fault on the offending team. A stray ball often means a replay.
Broken ball or paddle. If it affects play, stop and replay. If you keep playing and then claim it, you may not get the replay.
Medical or safety stops. Safety first. Most groups allow a replay if a real hazard appears.

I keep a short checklist on my phone before events. It is my yearly refresh on what is a fault in pickleball under current rules.

Frequently Asked Questions of what is a fault in pickleball

What is considered a foot fault on the serve?

A foot fault happens if any part of your foot crosses the baseline at contact. One foot must be on or behind the line, and neither may touch the court inside it.

Can I volley while standing on the kitchen line?

No. If you are touching the line or kitchen when you volley, it is a fault. Clear both feet from the line before the swing and the follow-through.

Is a serve that clips the net and lands in a let?

No. There are no let serves in most play. If the serve clips the net and lands in the correct box, play on.

What happens if the ball hits me before it bounces?

It is your fault if the ball was in. Even if you think it might go out, contact with you or your clothes ends the rally against you.

What is the two-bounce rule fault?

If either team volleys before the serve and the return have each bounced once, it is a fault. Wait for both bounces before any volley.

Who makes fault calls in casual games?

Players call their own faults and lines on their side. If there is doubt, choose a replay to keep it fair.

Is touching the net always a fault?

Yes, if you or your paddle touch the net while the ball is live, it is a fault. After the rally ends, contact does not matter.

Conclusion

You now know what is a fault in pickleball, why it happens, and how to avoid it. Keep your serve simple, respect the kitchen, wait for two bounces, and move your feet. Small habits make fewer faults and more wins.

Take one drill from this guide and use it in your next session. If you want more, ask a question, subscribe for fresh tips, or share this with a partner who needs a clean game.