The serve must be hit underhand and each team must play the first shot off the bounce.

After the ball has bounced once on each side, both teams can either volley the ball in the air or play it off the bounce.

To volley a ball means to hit it in the air without letting the ball bounce. No Volleying is permitted within the 7-foot non-volley zone, preventing players from executing smashes from a position within this 7-foot zone on both sides of the net.

Both players on the serving team are allowed to serve and a team scores points only when serving.

A game is played to 11 points and a team must win by at least 2 points.

Points are lost by hitting the ball out of bounds, hitting the net, stepping into the non-volley zone and volleying the ball, or by volleying the ball before the ball has bounced on each side of the net.

The Serve Players must keep both feet behind the back line when serving. The serve is made underhand.

The paddle must pass below the waist.

The server must hit the ball in the air on the serve; he or she is not allowed to bounce it, then hit it.

The serve is made diagonally cross-court and must clear the non-volley zone.

Only one serve attempt is allowed, except in the event of a “let”.

At the start of each new game, the first serving team is allowed only one fault before giving up the ball to the opponents.

Points are lost by hitting the ball out of bounds, hitting the net, stepping into the non-velley zone and volleying the ball, or by volleying the ball before the ball has bounced on each side of the net.

Each team must play its first shot off the bounce.

The receiving team must let the serve bounce, and the serving team must let the return of the serve bounce before praying it.

After the two bounces have occurred, the ball can be either volleyed or played off the bounce.

Double Play If the receiving team faults, then a point is scored by the serving team.

When the serving team makes it first fault, players will stay in the same court and the second partner will then serve.

When the serving team wins a point, its players will switch courts and the same player will continue to serve.

When the serving team makes it second fault, it will stay in the same court and turn the ball over to the other team.

Each team must play its first shot off the bounce.

The receiving team must let the serve bounce, and the serving team must let the return of the serve bounce before praying it.

After the two bounces have occurred, the ball can be either volleyed or played off the bounce.

Double Play

If the receiving team faults, then a point is scored by the serving team.

When the serving team makes it first fault, players will stay in the same court and the second partner will then serve.

When the serving team wins a point, its players will switch courts and the same player will continue to serve.

When the serving team makes it second fault, it will stay in the same court and turn the ball over to the other team.

Players switch courts only after scoring.

A ball landing on any line is considered good.

Baseline -The line at the back of the pickleball court (22 feet from the net).

Centerline – The line bisecting the service courts that extends from the non-volley line to the baseline.

Crosscourt – The opponent’s court diagonally opposite a player’s.

Dink – A dink is a soft shot, made with the paddle face open, and hit so that it just clears the net and drops into the non-volley zone.

Fault – An infringement of the rules that ends the rally.

Foot fault – Stepping on or into the non-volley zone while volleying a ball, or, while serving, failure to keep both feet behind the baseline with at least one foot in contact with the ground or floor when the paddle contacts the ball.

Half-volley – A type of hit where the player hits the ball immediately after it has bounced in an almost scoop-like fashion.

Kitchen – The non-volley zone which is 7′ from the net on both sides is commonly referred to as “the kitchen.” Players may not enter the kitchen to return a ball unless the ball first bounces.

Let serve – A serve that touches the top of the net and lands in the proper service court (it is replayed without penalty).

Lob – Hitting the ball in a high arc to the back of the opponent’s court. Ideally designed to clear an opponent who has advanced toward the net.

Non-volley zone – A seven-foot area adjacent to the net within which you may not volley the ball. The non-volley zone includes all lines around it.Also called the “kitchen”.

Poach – In doubles, to cross over into your partner’s area to make a play on the ball.

Rally – Hitting the ball back and forth between opposite teams.

Serve (service) – An underhand lob or drive stroke used to put a ball into play at the beginning of a point.

Server number – When playing doubles, either “1” or “2,” depending on whether you are the first or second server for your side. This number is appended to the score when it is called, as in “the score is now 4 – 2, second server”.

Sideline – The line at the side of the court denoting in- and out-of-bounds.

Side-Out – occurs when the serve moves to your opponent’s side.

Volley – To hit the ball before it touches the ground and bounces.