The Game
Let’s Play!
Created in 1965, pickleball began in Washington State in the backyard of Former U.S. Rep. Joel Pritchard. After a day of golf, Pritchard returned home in search of a more family-friendly game. With makeshift paddles in hand, he and a friend began batting around a perforated plastic ball. Rules were set and, after a few weeks, “pickleball” was born.
Pickleball is a sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. The ball is served underhand starting from the right-hand side of the court and is served diagonally to the opponent’s service zone. The service return must bounce first. Points are scored by the serving side only and occur when the opponent faults (fails to return the ball, hits the ball out of bounds or steps into the non-volley zone while in the act of volleying the ball). A player may enter the non-volley zone to play a ball that has bounced. The player must exit the non-volley zone before playing a volley. The return of service must be allowed to bounce by the server (and partner in doubles play); i.e. cannot be volleyed. Consequently, the server or server and partner usually stay at the baseline until the first return has been hit back and bounced once. The first side scoring eleven points and is leading by at least two points wins.
Rules Summary – USA Pickleball – Feb 7, 2023
This document is an abbreviated form of the rules to give a quick overview of how the game is played. If there is a conflict
between this summary and the official rules, the official rules prevail.
USA-Pickleball-Rules-Summary-_2_7_23
Official Rules
USAPA/IFP Pickleball rules:
Links
Visit Pickleball Channel 411 to learn about Pickleball, broaden your knowledge and learn suggestions to develop skills:
http://www.pickleballchannel.com/category/pickleball-411/
Pickleball Videos for Introduction to Pickleball!
You may find the videos listed below helpful because they cover the basic pickleball fundamentals.
Introduction to Pickleball
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTvPYdKZqO0 2:17
Non-Volley Zone Rules
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGfLXDTzJck 6:55
Kitchen Rule
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QacxhVqHzvY 3:04
Scoring
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMEpFipIdrk 5:11
Court Lines – Ball in or out
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G_ThgkuVK0 2:17
www.youtube.com/watch?v=t01JkRHfEao 18:47
Pickleball Videos!
Click here to learn about strategies while playing doubles!
Click here for more playing tips from USA Pickleball!