Faults
2
Serving
1
LEFT/ ODD
COURT
RIGHT/ EVEN
COURT
a fault and loses the serve to the
opposing team.
• Once the service goes to the
opposition (at side-out), the
first serve is from the right/even
court and both players on that
team have the opportunity to
serve and score points until their
team commits two faults.
• When playing singles, the server
serves from the right/even court
when his/her score is even and
from the left/odd when the
score is odd.
*At the beginning of each new
game, only one partner on the
serving team has the opportunity
to serve before faulting, after which
the service passes to the receiving
team (side-out).
Scoring
• The first team to score 11 points,
with a two-point lead, wins
the game.
• Matches are usually played two
out of three games.
• Points are scored ONLY by the
serving team.
• When the serving team’s score is
even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10), the player
who was the first server in the
game for that team will be in the
right/even court when serving or
receiving; when odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9),
that player will be in the left/odd
court when serving or receiving.
44’
NON-
VOLLEY
ZONE
NET
4
RIGHT/ EVEN
COURT
LEFT/ ODD
COURT
20’
B
A
S
E
L
I
N
E
3
Receiving
Two-Bounce Rule
• When the ball is served, the
receiving team must let it bounce
before returning, and then the
serving team must let it bounce
before returning—two bounces.
• After the two bounces occur,
players can hit volleys or
groundstrokes.
• The two-bounce rule applies at
the start of every point.
Non-Volley Zone (NVZ/Kitchen)
The court area that extends 7 feet
from each side of the net.
• Volleying is prohibited within
the NVZ.
• You may enter the NVZ any time
EXCEPT when hitting a volley.
• It is a fault if, when hitting a
volley, you step into the NVZ
(line included) and/or when your
momentum causes you to touch
the NVZ. “You” includes anything
you are wearing/carrying as well.
• It is a fault if, after hitting a
volley, momentum carries you or
anything you’re wearing/carrying
into the NVZ (line included).
It is a fault even if the volleyed
ball is declared dead before this
happens.
Line calls
A ball that lands on any line,
except the NVZ line during a serve,
is in. If a serve hits the NVZ line, it’s
a fault. •
Adapted from the official rules/rules summary that can be found on the USAPA’s website at usapa.org.
A fault is any action that stops play
because of a rule violation.
A fault by the receiving team results in a
point for the serving team.
A fault by the serving team results in the
server’s loss of serve or side-out.
Some of the most common faults…
• Hitting the ball into the net or out of
bounds.
• Hitting a volley from inside the NVZ.
• A player (including clothing, paddle,
etc.) touching the net or post when the
ball is in play.
• A ball striking a player.
• A ball striking a permanent object
before bouncing on the court.
• A serve that doesn’t land in the
receiver’s service court. Serves must
clear the NVZ, including the NVZ line.
• Hitting a volley after a serve. A bounce
must occur on each side before anyone
can hit a volley. (See two-bounce rule.)
• Stepping on the baseline before
hitting a serve.
• A server striking the ball before the
referee calls the score, in an officiated
match.
Pickleball Vocab
Dink—a soft shot hit on a bounce
from the NVZ. Dinks are made with
the intention of placing the ball in the
opposing NVZ either straight across or
diagonally cross-court.
Drop Shot—a soft shot hit off a bounce
from deep in the court. It’s intended to
land in the opposing NVZ.
Fault—any action that stops play
because of a rule violation.
Groundstroke—a ball hit after a
bounce.
Let on a Serve—when the ball
touches the net on a serve but lands in
the receiver’s proper service court. A
serve is replayed in the event of a let.
Lob—a lofted shot that sends the ball
high overhead and deep.
Overhead Smash—a hard overhead
shot directed downward into the
opposing court, usually as a return of
an opposing lob, high return or high
bounce.
Side-Out—when service passes to
the receiving team.
Volley—a ball hit in the air before it
bounces.
JUNE/JULY 2020 | MAGAZINE 33