If you’re here to know the rules and regulations of pickleball, you’re already familiar with this game. So going into too much historical stuff is not that necessary. It’s enough to tell you that pickleball was invented in 1960 and became popular across the USA.
If you find pickleball exciting and addicting, then you must want to play it regularly. But it is more fun to play a game according to its rules. And we know you’re here because you want to learn about the rules of pickleball. Here in this article, we will discuss what are the 5 rules of pickleball.
Table Chart of Page Contents
What are the 5 rules of pickleball?
Pickleball is a famous and fun game in the USA. To win the pickleball match, a player must have 11 points, and the court size is pretty similar to the badminton courts. The net will stand 36 inches high from the ground. But one thing to note is pickleball is different in indoor and outdoor games. Here are the top 5 rules of playing pickleball that you can’t disobey:
1. The Ball Must Stay Within the Court
Pickleball is no different from other racquet sports. Just like tennis, badminton or racquetball, you also need to keep the ball within the boundaries. If the ball goes out from the borders, it will be counted as out and fault. The team which will serve will get points first.
2. Serving Regulations
In pickleball matches, service plays a vital role. So it’s essential to follow all the below rules correctly:
- To determine which team or player will serve first, toss a coin in the air.
- The player who will serve first must keep their one foot behind the baseline.
- The server must serve underarm from below the waist.
- The player must deliver the ball to the component diagonally.
3. The Two-Bounce Rule
The two-bounce rule is a significant rule of the pickleball match. While serving the ball to each other, you must let the ball bounce only once before hitting the ball. Once the ball crosses the net, you hit the ball when it is done bouncing for one time.
This rule is created to make sure the pace of the game is equal and slower. On the other hand, serving the ball doesn’t make any big advantages for players. Pickleball is very trendy among older people. Sports help people to stay fit, and this is the reason why older people play it the most.
4. No-Volley Zone
The no-volley zone is placed on either side of the net, and the length is 7 feet. It’s forbidden to serve the ball in this area; in case if it does, it will be considered as a fault and out. No-volley zone is where the players are not allowed to enter. Players get used to these rules quicker, but this is one of the complex rules of pickleball. One should always be aware of his no-volley zone in all the courts he plays.
5. The Game Ends at 11, 15, or 21 Points
In professional pickleball matches, the player who collects the first 11 points with 2 clear points is the winner. But if both competitors score the same as 11-11 with no clear point, then the match will continue. A player must have two clear points in order to win the match.
When a tie happens, the 11 point rule increases to 15 or 21 points. And during this tie-break game, a player must clear their two points. Pickleball is a fun game yet simple for families to play.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many players can play pickleball?
Pickleball must be a fun and trendy game among older people, but this game is underrated. That’s why the game doesn’t include any rigid or strict rules and not much equipment. Pickleball can be played in two ways, one-on-one known as singles, and two-on-two, known as doubles. That means 2 or 4 players can play pickleball at once.
Can you play double?
Yes, you can, as pickleball has two ways to be played. In a one-on-one or singles match, only 2 players are allowed. Again in a two-on-two or doubles game, 4 players can participate as two teams (two players in each team). The rules and regulations for both ways of playing are the same. Whether you play singles or doubles, you must keep yourself sharp to avoid any faults as much as possible.
Can you practice pickleball alone?
We may already know that how sports help people to keep themselves fit and healthy. That’s why you need to keep practicing sports regularly to improve your game. But there are few people who don’t have any partner or team to practice with. But the good thing is you can practice pickleball alone. Work on your footsteps, conditioning, set the pickleball rules on your mind.
Is there any additional rule?
Pickleball is quite an addicting and straightforward game. The rules are very simple, like keeping the ball within the boundary, bouncing the ball only once before hitting it, and more. But there is no additional or extra rule for pickleball. As pickleball is an underrated game, it doesn’t include many rules. But, the rules that are mentioned have to be kept to protect your server!
Can you break any rule of pickleball?
No, you can’t break any rules of pickleball while playing. There are the top five rules that you need to follow to protect your server. If you do any foul shots or your shot goes against the rules, it will be counted as a fault. As a result, you will be out of the match. So it’s important to follow all the rules of pickleball accordingly.
Conclusion
Pickleball is a well-known game in America, and this game is a perfect sport to play with friends and family. Whether you play a game professionally or recreationally, you need to know the rules of that particular game first. Here you get to learn the rules of pickleball.
Pickleball has only a few rules, and we present the top 5 rules that every pickleball player should know. We hope all the information we’ve given was helpful for you to understand the rules of pickleball. Enjoy playing pickleball!