Basic Rules Overview Pickleball is played either as doubles (most common) or singles

The Serve • The serve must be made underhand and paddle contact with the ball must be below the server’s waist (navel level). • The serve is initiated with at least one foot behind the baseline; neither foot may contact the baseline or court until after the ball is struck. • The serve is made diagonally crosscourt and must land within the confines of the opposite diagonal court. • Only one serve attempt is allowed, except in the event of a let (the ball touches the net on the serve and lands on the proper service court; let serves are replayed).

Service Sequence • Both players on the serving doubles team have the Double-Bounce Rule opportunity to serve and score points until they commit a fault *(except for the first service sequence of each new • When the ball is served, receiving team must let it bounce game). before returning, and then the serving team must let it bounce before returning, thus two bounces. • The first serve of each side-out is made from the right-hand court. If a point is scored, the server switches sides and the • After the ball has bounced once in each team’s court, both server initiates the next serve from the left-hand court. teams may either volley the ball (hit the ball before it bounces) or play it off a bounce (ground stroke). • As subsequent points are scored, the server continues switching back and forth until a fault is committed and the • The double bounce rule eliminates the serve and volley first server loses the serve. advantage and extends rallies.

• When the first server loses the serve the partner then serves Non-Volley Zone from their correct side of the court (except for the first service sequence of the game*). • This is the area within 7 feet on both sides of the net. Pickleball & • The second server continues serving until his team commits a • Volleying is prohibited within the non-volley zone. This rule fault and loses the serve to the opposing team. prevents players from executing smashes from a position within the zone. Tennis Courts • Once the service goes to the opposition (at side out), the first serve is from the right-hand court and both players on that • It is a fault if, when volleying a ball, the player steps on the team have the opportunity to serve and score points until non-volley zone, including the line and/or when the their team commits two faults. player’s momentum causes them or anything they are Pleasant View Park • In singles the server serves from the right-hand court wearing or carrying to touch the non-volley zone including the associated lines. 90 Pleasant View Drive when his or her score is even and from the left when • It is a fault if, after volleying, a player is carried by the score is odd. *At the beginning of each new game momentum into or touches the non-volley zone, even if Mechanicsburg, PA 17050 only one partner on the serving team has the the volleyed ball is declared dead before this happens. opportunity to serve before faulting, after which the • A player may legally be in the non-volley zone any time service passes to the receiving team. other than when volleying a ball. Scoring • The non-volley zone is referred to as “the kitchen.” • Points are scored only by the serving team. Games are normally played to 11 points, win by 2. Tournament

games may be to 15 or 21, win by 2. Learn more about the serving team, line calls & faults • When the serving team’s score is even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) by viewing the official USAPA rules here: the player who was the first server in the game for that http://ipickleball.org/rules/pbrules-ifp.pdf team will be in the right-side court when serving or receiving; when odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) that player will be in Questions, call (717) 766-0178 or email [email protected] the left-side court when serving or receiving.

Playing Pickleball on Tennis Courts Pickleball has become one of the fastest growing sports in the nation. The demand for more places to play has led to a common trend, that seems to be working well by maximizing the current “real estate” of existing tennis courts. By USTA and ITF rules, tennis court lines must be white. Pickleball court lines can be added in a different color, so that tennis or pickleball can be played on the same court (at different times). The pickleball lines are a lighter shade of blue so that it makes the lines less distractive to tennis players. Adding pickleball lines to existing courts is a relatively inexpensive investment.

Net Height Adjustments

The center of a tennis court net is 36 inches, so in order to play pickleball, you can adjust the center strap to 34 inches. The net height will be 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle. Lines for pickleball are similar to a Benefits of Pickleball tennis court with right and left service courts LEARN FROM and a 7-foot non-volley zone in front of the net • It’s for ALL Ages (referred to as the “kitchen”). The courts at A CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR! Pleasant View Park are constructed specifically • Easy to Learn, Low Impact for pickleball or tennis. Check the schedule online for upcoming pickleball clinics! • Lifts Your Mood, Burns Calories Equipment https://silverspringrec.recdesk.com/Community/Home Paddles are made of lightweight composite • Socialization materials, including aluminum and graphite. Players will also need a pickleball, which is similar to a wiffleball. There are different types of balls for indoor and outdoor play. The ball is usually white or yellow. The USA Pickleball Association also provides guidance on equipment to use.