• Pickleball is most commonly played as doubles (two players per team), but can be played singles
• The same size court and rules are used for both singles and doubles

• The serve must be made underhand
• Paddle contact with the ball must be below the server’s waist (navel level)
• The serve is initiated with at least one foot behind the baseline; neither foot may contact the baseline or court until after the ball is struck
• The serve is made diagonally crosscourt and must land within the confines of the opposite diagonal court
• Only one serve attempt is allowed, except in the event of a let (the ball touches the net on the serve and lands on the proper service court; let serves are replayed)

• Both players on the serving doubles team have the opportunity to serve and score points until they commit a fault *(except for the first service sequence of each new game)
• The first serve of each side-out is made from the right-hand court
• If a point is scored, the server switches sides and the server initiates the next serve from the left-hand court
• As subsequent points are scored, the server continues switching back and forth until a fault is committed and the first server loses the serve
• When the first server loses the serve the partner then serves from their correct side of the court (except for the first service sequence of the game*)
• The second server continues serving until his team commits a fault and loses the serve to the opposing team
• Once the service goes to the opposition (at side out), the first serve is from the right-hand court and both players on that team have the opportunity to serve and score points until their team commits two faults

*At the beginning of each new game only one partner on the serving team has the opportunity to serve before faulting, after which the service passes to the receiving team.

• Points are scored only by the serving team
• Games are normally played to 11 points, win by 2
• Tournament games may be to 15 or 21, win by 2
• Before each serve, the score will be called out using three numbers (server’s score, receiver’s score, server number). For example, if the score of the serving team is 3 and the score of the receiving team is 6, and the second server on the side is serving, the score would be announced as 3-6-2.

• When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce before returning, and then the serving team must let it bounce before returning, thus two bounces
• After the ball has bounced once in each team’s court, both teams may either volley the ball (hit the ball before it bounces) or play it off a bounce (ground stroke)
• The double bounce rule eliminates the serve and volley advantage and extends rallies

• The non-volley zone is commonly referred to as “the kitchen.”
• The kitchen is the court area within 7 feet on both sides of the net
• Volleying is prohibited within the kitchen. This rule prevents players from executing smashes from a position within the zone
• It is a fault if, when volleying a ball, the player steps on the kitchen, including the line and/or when the player’s momentum causes them or anything they are wearing or carrying to touch the kitchen including the associated lines
• It is a fault if, after volleying, a player is carried by momentum into or touches the kitchen, even if the volleyed ball is declared dead before this happens
• A player may legally be in the kitchen any time other than when volleying a ball

• A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation
• A fault by the receiving team results in a point for the serving team
• A fault by the serving team results in the server’s loss of serve or side out
• A fault occurs when:
  • A serve does not land within the confines of the receiving court
  • The ball is hit into the net on the serve or any return
  • The ball is volleyed before a bounce has occurred on each side
  • The ball is hit out of bounds
  • A ball is volleyed from the kitchen
  • A ball bounces twice before being struck by the receiver
  • A player, player’s clothing, or any part of a player’s paddle touches the net or the net post when the ball is in play
  • There is a violation of a service rule
  • A ball in play strikes a player or anything the player is wearing or carrying
  • A ball in play strikes any permanent object before bouncing on the court

A pickleball player’s skill level is determined by looking at physical and strategic abilities, namely control, consistency, and adaptability. Physically, this includes forehands, serves, dinks, volleys, etc. Strategically, this includes adaptive play styles, pace control, tactical placement, etc. USA Pickleball offers skill assessment sheets that can be used to determine your level.

Below is a simple summary of pickleball player skill rating definitions:

1.0 – 2.0 Skill Rating | This player is just starting to play pickleball and has no other paddle sports background. They will need to learn the rules of the game.

2.5 Skill Rating | This player is is a novice and can keep up in a rally with players of equal skill levels but will have trouble scoring points consistently.

3.0 Skill Rating | Players at this level know the fundamentals of pickleball and the rules.

3.5 Skill Rating | Becoming a 3.5 pickleball player means understanding the game better and being able to apply strategies.

4.0 Skill Rating | As a 4.0, you’re an exceptional pickleball player through and through. There is still room for improvement, of course, but you are in a very good spot right now.

4.5 Skill Rating | At the 4.5 level, you have developed good skills in both verbal and nonverbal communication, as well as court positioning. You are also able to hit swinging volleys and block hard volleys.

5.0 Skill Rating | This person is an incredible player who has mastered almost everything at the 5.0 level.