Pickleball Scoring Rules: Master the Basics

If you are new to pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, you might find it confusing to understand the rules and scoring of the game. Rest assured, with a little knowledge on the basics of pickleball rules and scoring, you can easily master the game and start enjoying it. In this blog post, we will take you through the ins and outs of the game, from the pickleball court dimensions and equipment to serving rules and scoring methods. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player looking to refresh your memory, this guide will equip you with the knowledge you need.

Pickleball Scoring Rules: Master the Basics

Pickleball is a fast-paced, exciting game that is easy to learn but difficult to master. Understanding the rules and scoring of pickleball is essential for all players, regardless of skill level. In this post, you will learn about the basics of pickleball, including the court dimensions and equipment, serving rules, and scoring methods. By mastering these basics, you will be well on becoming a competitive pickleball player.

In pickleball, to score a point, you must be the serving team and win the rally. Winning the rally involves successfully landing the ball in the opponent’s court without violating any rules, such as the double bounce rule or non-volley zone restrictions, and causing the opponent to commit a fault, like failing to return the ball or hitting it out of bounds. Points can only be earned while serving, and if the receiving team wins a rally, no points are awarded, but they gain the serve.

Pickleball scoring rules.

  1. Points – Games are typically played to 11, 15, or 21 points, and a team must win by at least 2 points.
  2. Scoring – Only the serving team can score points; they earn points when they win a rally.
  3. Serve – Players serve underhand diagonally across the court, with the ball landing within the opponent’s service court and beyond the non-volley zone.
  4. Double Bounce Rule – The receiving and serving teams must let the ball bounce once before returning it.
  5. Faults – A fault results in the serve switching to the other team or the other player in doubles play.
  6. Rotation – Partners rotate service after each fault in doubles play.
  7. Starting the game – Only one player from the starting team serves before the serve switches to the opposing team.
  8. Calling the score – The server calls the score before serving, in the order of the serving team’s score, receiving team’s score and server number (1 or 2) in doubles play.

Download the 2023 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook

The Basics of Pickleball

Pickleball is a racket sport played on a court roughly the same size as a badminton court. It is played with a paddle and a special plastic ball with holes in it, similar to a wiffle ball. The game can be played either singles or doubles, and the objective is to hit the ball over the net and into the opponent’s court, with the aim of not allowing the opponent to hit it back.

The Court Dimensions

Now that you know the basics of the game, let’s dive into the court dimensions. The court for doubles play is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, while the court for singles play is 10 feet wide and 44 feet long. The net is hung in the middle of the court and is 36 inches high at the ends and 34 inches high in the middle. The court is also divided into several sections, including the kitchen or no-volley zone, which is a seven-foot area on either side of the net.

The Equipment

To play pickleball, you will need just a few pieces of equipment. The first thing you need is a pickleball paddle, similar to a tennis racket but smaller and lighter. The paddle is used to hit the ball over the net and into the opponent’s court. Besides a paddle, you will also need a ball. A pickleball is similar to a wiffle ball, but is slightly heavier and has less bounce. You must also wear appropriate clothing and footwear, as the game can be quite physically demanding. Many people choose to wear court shoes to get the right level of grip and stability.

The Serving Rules

The serving rules in pickleball are one of the most important aspects of the game to understand. In pickleball, the serve must be hit underhand, and the server must keep both feet behind the baseline when serving. The ball must be hit into the service court on the opposite side of the net and clear the kitchen or no-volley zone. If the serve hits the net and lands in the correct service court, it is called a let, and the server gets to serve again. A player may only serve once per turn, and the serve is over when the ball is hit into the net, out of bounds, or when the opponent hits it back.

The Scoring System

The scoring system in pickleball is easy to understand, but it can be a little confusing at first. Pickleball uses a rally scoring system, which means that a point is awarded to the team that wins the rally, regardless of who served the ball. To win a game, a team must score at least 11 points and win by a margin of at least two points. If the score is tied at 10-10, the game continues until one team wins by two points.

The Kitchen Rule

The kitchen rule in pickleball is one of the most important rules to remember. The kitchen is the area within seven feet of the net on both sides of the court. The rule is that any ball that lands in the kitchen area cannot be hit in the air, unless the ball bounces first. This means you can only hit a ball out of the kitchen area after it bounces on the ground. This rule is in place to prevent players from hanging out at the net and smashing every ball that comes their way.

Pickling

Pickling is a term used in pickleball to describe a situation in which a team wins a point on their opponent’s serve. Because a point can be won regardless of who is serving, it is possible to “pickle” your opponent by winning a point on their serve. This can be done by returning a weak or short serve or forcing an error from your opponent. Pickling is a great way to get a quick advantage in the game and put pressure on your opponent.

The Double-Bounce Rule

The double-bounce rule is another important rule in pickleball. This rule states that each team must let the ball bounce once on their side of the court before hitting it back over the net. This means that the receiving team must let the ball bounce after the serve before hitting it back. The serving team must also let the ball bounce before returning the receiving team’s shot. After the first two shots of the rally, the ball can be hit in the air without bouncing, as long as it is hit from outside of the kitchen area.

Playing pickleball can be a lot of fun, but it is important to understand the rules and scoring system before diving in. By following the basics outlined in this post, you can become a master of the game and enjoy all of the excitement that pickleball has to offer.

Tips for Becoming Better at Pickleball

Now that you know the basics of pickleball and its rules and scoring, let’s focus on how to become better at the sport. Here are a few tips that can help you up your pickleball game:

  • Practice your serves regularly, as the serve is a crucial part of the game.
  • Focus on your footwork and positioning on the court to anticipate your opponent’s shots better.
  • Learn different shots, such as the dink and drop shot, to diversify your game and keep your opponents guessing.
  • Watch professional games and learn from experienced players to get tips and tricks to improve your game.

Pickleball Strategy

Besides mastering the rules and scoring of pickleball, having sound strategy is essential to winning games. Here are some strategies to consider for different scenarios in the game:

Serving Strategy

  • Attempt to hit your serve to your opponent’s weaker side.
  • Hit serves deep and low to keep your opponent on the baseline.
  • Vary your pace and spin on serves to keep your opponent off balance.

Receiving Strategy

  • When receiving, try to return the ball low and deep to the opponent’s baseline.
  • Be prepared to move quickly to the ball to put pressure on your opponents.
  • Always watch your opponent’s paddle to anticipate where they may hit the ball.

General Game Strategy

  • Focus on keeping the ball low and controlled to force your opponent into making errors.
  • Try to avoid hitting balls that are around your body or head, as they can be difficult to control.
  • Remember to stay in your position on the court and don’t leave too much empty space.

The Benefits of Playing Pickleball

There are many benefits to playing pickleball, including:

  • Improved cardiovascular health and fitness
  • Increased hand-eye coordination and motor skills
  • A social and fun activity that can be played at any age
  • A low-impact sport that is easy on the joints, making it ideal for seniors

Mastering pickleball rules and scoring is essential to enjoying the game and playing competitively. By following the guidelines and tips provided in this post, you can become a better player and enjoy all the benefits of this fantastic game.

FAQ

Here are some answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about pickleball.

1. What is the serve order in pickleball?

In doubles pickleball, the serve order goes from the serving team’s right-hand court to the receiving team’s right-hand court and then from the receiving team’s left-hand court to the serving team’s left-hand court.

2. Can the ball be hit out of the air in the kitchen or no-volley zone?

No, a ball that lands in the kitchen or no-volley zone cannot be hit in the air, and the player must let it bounce before hitting it. This rule is in place to prevent players from dominating the net and creating unfair advantages.

3. Can I step into the kitchen or no-volley zone to hit a ball?

Yes, you can step into the kitchen or no-volley zone to hit a ball if it has bounced. However, if you step into the zone before the ball has bounced, it is considered a fault.

4. What is the double-bounce rule in pickleball?

The double-bounce rule in pickleball requires each team to let the ball bounce once on their side of the court before hitting it back over the net. After the first two shots of a rally, the ball may be hit in the air without bouncing if it is hit from outside of the kitchen area.

5. Can I hit the ball without letting it bounce on my side of the court?

No, you cannot hit the ball without letting it bounce on your side of the court, except for the serve. The double-bounce rule states that the ball must bounce once on each side of the court before it can be hit in the air.

6. Can a player use either side of the paddle to hit the ball in pickleball?

Yes, players can use both sides of the paddle to hit the ball in pickleball. However, players must be careful not to touch the ball with any part of their body or clothing while hitting the ball.

7. What happens if the ball hits the net during the serve?

If the serve hits the net and lands in the correct service court, it is called a let, and the server gets to serve again. If the serve hits the net and lands out of bounds, it is considered a fault.

8. Can the ball go out of bounds in pickleball?

Yes, the ball can go out of bounds in pickleball. If the ball lands outside the court boundaries or hits any part of the court fixtures, it is considered out of bounds.

9. Is there a time limit in pickleball games?

No, there is no time limit in pickleball games. The game is won by the team that reaches at least 11 points and leads by at least two points. If the score is tied at 10-10, the game continues until a team wins by a margin of two points.

10. Is there a minimum number of players required to play pickleball?

Pickleball can be played with as few as two players, as long as each player plays on their own. For doubles play, four players are required.

11. Can a player touch the net during a game?

No, players cannot touch the net during a game because it results in an immediate fault. However, if the ball goes under the net and a player accidentally touches it while retrieving it, it is not considered a fault.