How to Play Pickle Ball

Pickleball is a fast, action sport that bears some resemblance to tennis, badminton and pingpong. Four players divide into two teams and each team stands on their own side of the court as the ball is passed back and forth between the opponents. Pickleball is not only an easy sport to learn; it is also very versatile, easily played on a driveway, tennis court or cul-de-sac.

Things You'll Need

• Pickleball court
• 20' net
• Plastic baseball with holes
• 4 pickleball paddles
• 4 players

Instructions

1. Set up the playing area. A pickleball court must measure 20 feet by 44 feet. Stretch the net across the middle of the court at 22 feet, and draw a line 7 feet back from the net on either side: this is the non-volley zone. Mark out a 15 feet by 10 feet box for each player behind the non-volley zone so that the court measures the appropriate size.

2. Serve the ball. The first player to serve must stand with one foot behind the back line. The player must serve the ball underhand and the ball must clear the net and non-volley zone and enter into the diagonal player's box. If the ball touches the net, one reserve is allowed; otherwise, the player is only permitted one attempt at clearing the net and non-volley zone.

3. Return the ball. The opposing team must return the ball by hitting it after one bounce. The serving team must then let the ball bounce once on their side of the net before hitting.

4. Hit the ball back and forth. After the first two bounces of the ball, players may volley the ball, returning it without a bounce on their side of the net. Since the object of the game is to make the other team fault, players must try to get the other team to hit the ball out of bounds, not clear the net on a return, or step into the non-volley zone to volley the ball. When a player from the returning team fails to return a ball or faults, the serving team gets a point. The serving team then serves again. Each team is allowed one fault before the other team is given the opportunity to serve.

5. Keep score. Only the serving team can accumulate points during the game, so when a serving team causes the returning team to fault or fail to return, that team scores one point. Play continues until one team reaches 11 points. A team must win by two points, so play continues after 11 points until one team has a two-point lead. The team that has the best of three games is the winner.

References

• Pickleball.com
• USA Pickleball Association; Official Tournament Rulebook
• Pickleball.com; Rules