Pickleball Rules Explained: A Complete Beginner’s Guide (2025 Edition)

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports across the Globe, and its reach continues to surge wide in 2025. Being a casual player or an aspiring professional, understanding the official rules is key to proper play and enjoying the game to the absolute maximum.

In this article, we will break down the most crucial pickleball rules that every player should understand for leading a fairplay, straight from the USA Pickleball rulebook. The below 10 rules are enough to master the pickleball game. 

1. The Objective of the Game

Pickleball is either played in singles (1 vs 1) or doubles (2 vs 2). The utimatum is simple: Who will be the first to score 11 points, winning by at least 2. Competitive matches can go up to 15 or 21 points depending on the tournament.

So,basically you score points only when serving. This uniqueness makes serving strategy vital while playing pickleball. Check out our 10 rules for pickleball to master the strategy.

2. Pickleball Serving Rules

The serve sets the tone as players could score points while serving during a rally. So the rules are relatively strict in pickleball Serves. 

• Underhand Serve: The ball is served with an underhand movement. The paddle must come in touch with the ball below the waist, and the server’s arm must move in an upward arc.
  

• Drop Serve (Not Usual): During the serve, Players can bounce the ball and hit it, easing beginners and players with limited mobility to play effectively.
  

• Diagonal Serve: When you serve the ball, it must land in the opposite diagonal service court without making the non-volley zone or kitchen contact.
  

• One Serve Attempt: In both singles and doubles, the server gets only one attempt to make a legal serve.

3. Serving Sequence in Doubles

Doubles game usually has a unique serving rounds that might feel very confusing for many beginners:

• Both teammates on the serving team get a chance to serve (except the very first service of the game).
  

• When a point is scored, the server switches sides and serves again.
  

• Once both teammates have served and lost their rallies, the serve goes to the opposing team.
  

Each position is tracked based on even (right side) and odd (left side) scores.

4. The Non-Volley Zone ("Kitchen")

Understanding the parts of the pickleball court is very important. The non-volley zone is a 7-foot area on both sides of the net, meant for preventing spiking or smashing at the net. The same space is called Kitchen in local terms. 

• You cannot volley, which means hitting the ball through before pitching while standing in the kitchen.
  

• Your momentum cannot carry you into the zone after a volley.
  

• You can hit a groundstroke (after the ball bounces) from inside the kitchen.

5. The Double Bounce Rule

The double bounce rule ensures fairness and prolongs rallies. This is the important rule where beginners generally suffer a bit. This is because beginners anticipate the serve very carefully, where out of curiosity they strike back before the ball pitches in the kitchen. So every player must ensure following the double bounce rule carefully. This prevents “serve and smash” plays and makes games more tactical. Also, choosing the right pickleball paddle helps to gain much control on the ball.

• When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce once before returning.
  

• Then, the serving team must also let it bounce before hitting it back.
  

• After these two bounces, players can volley or groundstroke as they prefer.

To master this, it requires more time and precision. One can develop the skills with constant practice and the right techniques. It's always pickleball players wondering how to achieve the control. Our guide how to control pickleball paddle will surely help. 

6. Line Calls

Before getting into line calls lets understand the lines present in pickleball game. Non-Volley Line and centre line are the 2 important ones every player must keep in mind of. Line calls in pickleball are based on clear visibility:

• Balls that touch any part of the line are in.
  

• If the ball lands outside the lines, it’s out.
  

• In recreational play, line calls are made by the team receiving the ball.
  

• In tournaments, referees or video reviews may be used for disputes.

7. Faults

As name suggests, fault is any rule violation that terminates a rally and gives the ball to the other side or loses the point.

Common faults include:

• Hitting the ball out of bounds
  

• Volleying from within the kitchen
  

• Failing to clear the net
  

• Double bounces or double hits
  

• Serving violations
  

Understanding faults is crucial to minimizing unforced errors.

8. Scoring & Winning

Pickleball scoring is simple but differs slightly between formats:

• Games are typically played to 11 points, win by 2.
  

• Only the serving team scores points.
  

• In doubles, scores are called in a 3-number format: server score – receiver score – server number (1 or 2).
  

• Example: 6–4–1 (means server 1 is serving, their team has 6, the opponent has 4).
  

In tournaments, longer formats (to 15 or 21) may be used with side-outs after a set number of points.

9. Paddle and Ball Regulations

If the player is intending to play a tournament, the pickleball paddle that is going to be used must comply with USA Pickleball equipment standards: Here is the list of top pickleball paddles that comply with USPA tournament standards.

• Surface should not be textured excessively or altered.
  
  

• No added spin-enhancing materials are allowed.
  
  

• Balls must meet the official size, bounce, and color standards.
  
  

In 2025, paddle testing is more stringent in competitive circuits due to spin and delamination controversies.

10. Referees and Tournaments

While casual games are often self-regulated, referees manage tournament matches.

• They enforce rules and call faults, timeouts, and infractions.
  

• Players may use timeouts for strategy or fatigue (1-minute duration).
  

• Video replay systems are slowly being adopted at higher levels.

Conclusion

Pickleball is easy to start but layered with strategy and nuance, especially when played by the rules. By mastering the basics—from the double bounce rule to kitchen faults—you’ll not only become a better player but also enjoy the game with more confidence and fairness.

Whether you're a weekend warrior or aiming for medal rounds in a local tournament, knowing the official rules keeps the game fun, competitive, and respectful.