Pickleball Basics

The Serve

​Hit the ball out of the air below the waist or drop and bounce the serve

Only one serve attempt is allowed per server.

Feet must be behind the line when you serve. 

Serve must be cross court and pass the first line on the opponents side of the net.  AKA "The Kitchen" Line. 

Service Sequence

Whichever team serves first gets one serve attempt for the team.  This is to neutralize the advantage of serving first. 

At the beginning of any new game fence side serves first at the Monterey Bay Racquet Club

Always start service on the right-hand side

After you lose the first service point it goes to the opponent's side to serve

When the receiving team wins a point it becomes their serve.  Each serving team is allowed two serve attempts as a team going forward. 

If you win you keep serving.  The second attempt is for your partner

Scoring

Points are scored only by the serving team. Just like volleyball. 

Games are normally played to 11 points, win by 2.

You say your score first then your opponents then what service attempt it is on. An example would be three serving two… first attempt.  I have three points, my opponents have two points and I am the first attempt. 

Lines are good and live.  This includes the Kitchen.  STAY OUT OF THE KITCHEN!

Two-Bounce Rule

After the ball has bounced once in each team’s court, both teams may either volley the ball (hit the ball before it bounces) or play it off a bounce (ground stroke).

The Kitchen

You are not allowed to hit the ball in the air while having feet in the kitchen. 

If you hit the ball in the air and you fall into the kitchen. You lose the point.  You must re-establish footing outside of The Kitchen before entering The Kitchen.

You can enter the Kitchen once the ball has bounced in the Kitchen then you must get back out of the Kitchen and reestablish yourself outside of the kitchen to hit the ball in the Air.