Pickleball Rules Every Player Should Know Before Stepping on the Court

Pickleball continues to grow rapidly across Australia, attracting players of all ages and skill levels. One of the reasons the sport is so popular is that it’s easy to learn and fun to play.

However, if you are new to pickleball or thinking about playing your first tournament, understanding the basic pickleball rules and scoring systems can make a big difference in how smoothly games run and how confident players feel on the court.

Whether you're a beginner or a regular social player, here are the essential pickleball rules every player should know:

• How to Serve
• Two-Bounce Rule
• Understanding the Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone)
• Scoring Explained
• Tournament Etiquette and Rules

The Underhand Serve

In pickleball, there are two legal types of serves: the volley serve and the drop serve. Both must land in the diagonal service court, but the way the ball is struck is different.

A basic explanation is below, but for more details, go to the current Global Pickleball Federation Rulebook:  CLICK 👉 HERE

Volley Serve

This is the traditional and most commonly used serve in pickleball.

With a volley serve:

• The ball is struck out of the air (before it bounces).
• The serve must be underhand.
• Contact with the ball must be below the waist.
• The paddle head must be below the wrist at contact.
• At least one foot must remain behind the baseline, and neither foot can touch the baseline or court before contact.

Because of these restrictions, the volley serve requires a controlled upward motion.

Drop Serve

The drop serve is a serving option introduced to make serving easier and more consistent for many players.

With a drop serve:

• The server drops the ball from any height, and lets it bounce on the court before hitting it.
• The ball cannot be thrown or tossed upward - it must simply be dropped.
• After the bounce, the player may hit the ball in any way they choose.
• The usual volley serve restrictions (paddle head below wrist / below waist contact) do not apply once the ball has bounced.

However, the server must still:

• Serve diagonally into the correct service court
• Keep both feet behind the baseline until the ball is struck.

Why Some Players Prefer the Drop Serve

Many players find the drop serve helpful because it:

• Allows more consistency
• Reduces serve faults
• Can make it easier for beginners or players transitioning from tennis

The Two-Bounce Rule

One of the most important rules in pickleball is the two-bounce rule, which helps prevent players from rushing the net too quickly.

Here’s how it works:

• The serve must bounce before the receiver hits it
• The return of serve must also bounce before the serving team hits it

After these two bounces, players are free to volley the ball in the air or play it after a bounce.

This rule helps create longer rallies and more strategic play.

Understanding the Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone)

The non-volley zone, commonly called the “kitchen,” is the 7-foot area on both sides of the net.

The key rules are simple:

• Players cannot volley the ball while standing in the kitchen.
• Players are allowed to step into the kitchen to play a ball that has bounced, but they must avoid entering the kitchen while hitting a volley.
• It’s also important to remember that the kitchen line counts as part of the kitchen.

Pickleball Scoring Explained

There are two main scoring formats used in pickleball.

1. Traditional 'Side-Out' Scoring

This is the most common scoring system used in recreational and tournament play.

Key points include:

• Only the serving team can score points
• If the receiving team wins the rally, they gain the serve
• Games are typically played to 11 points, win by 2, but this can vary depending on the game or event

In doubles, the score is called using three numbers:

1. Serving team score
2. Receiving team score
3. Server number (1 or 2)

Example: 5 – 3 – 1

2. Rally Scoring

Rally scoring is becoming more common in leagues, events, and some tournaments.

With rally scoring:

• A point is scored on every rally, regardless of which team served
• Games are often played to 15 or 21 points
• It can help speed up matches and keep events on schedule

Different competitions may adopt rally scoring depending on the event format.

YOU THINK YOU'VE GOT THE GIST OF THE RULES? 

THEN WHY NOT TEST YOURSELF? 

DO THIS 1-MINUTE QUIZ NOW!  👉 QUIZ 

Tournament Play: Important Etiquette and Rules

If you’re entering your first pickleball tournament, there are a few additional expectations players should know.

1. Call the Score Clearly - Before serving, players must call the full score clearly so all players understand the current score and server.
2. Make Line Calls on Your Side - Players are responsible for making line calls on their side of the court. If the ball lands out, it should be called clearly and immediately. If both of you cannot agree whether it was in or not, then the point is given to the opposition.
3. Call Faults Honestly - Pickleball relies on player integrity. If you commit a fault - such as stepping into the kitchen while volleying - it should be called straight away.
4. Be Ready to Play - Tournaments often run on tight schedules, so players should be ready to take the court when their match is called.
5. Play Smart and Build the Rally - While beginners often try to hit winners on every shot, experienced players know pickleball is about control, patience, and strategy:

Strong players focus on:

• • • • Building rallies
      • Moving forward to the kitchen line
      • Waiting for the right opportunity to attack

And often, the team that makes fewer mistakes wins the point.

The Bottom Line

Pickleball is easy to learn but endlessly rewarding to improve at.

By understanding the core rules, scoring formats, and tournament expectations, players can step onto the court with confidence and enjoy the game even more.

Whether you're playing socially or preparing for your first tournament, mastering the basics is the best way to improve your pickleball skills.

So what are you waiting for?

Grab a paddle, call the score, and play on!

📖 Related Resources:

• Discover QPT Pickleball Tour 2026 - 10 pickleball tournaments across Queensland, for players of ALL levels. See full tour & key event highlights.
• Switching from Tennis to Pickleball? Well, it's not Mini Tennis - Discover the Pros, Cons & Key Tips!

PS. 🔊 And don't forget to spread the word, share this link, and follow us on Facebook for all our latest updates, sneak peeks, and tournament buzz! ⋆˚🐝˖°

[Words and Images by Irene Krajewska]