Pickleball Rules and Strategy

To play pickleball well, you need to know the rules and strategies that will help you win more games and have more fun. In this article, we will cover the basic and advanced rules and strategies of pickleball, as well as some common mistakes to avoid and some tips to improve your pickleball techniques.

Pickleball Rules

Before we dive into the pickleball strategies, let’s review the basic rules of pickleball. Pickleball is played either as doubles (two players per team) or singles; doubles is more common. The same size playing area and rules are used for both singles and doubles. The pickleball court is similar to a badminton-sized court, with a net height of 34 inches at the center and 36 inches at the sidelines. The court is divided into two halves by the net, and each half has a left and a right service court. There is also a 7-foot non-volley zone (also known as the kitchen) on each side of the net, where players are not allowed to hit the ball in the air (volley).

Basic Rules

• The serve is done underhand, with the server’s arm moving in an upward arc when the ball is struck. The paddle contact with the ball must not be made above the waist level. The serve must land in the diagonal opposite service court, clearing the non-volley zone. The server gets only one fault (except for the first serve of each side, which allows a second serve) before the serve goes to the other team. The server must keep one foot behind the baseline until the ball is hit. The serve is done alternately from the right and left service courts until a fault is made.
• The return of serve must be done after the ball bounces once in the receiver’s court. The receiver must not hit the ball in the air (volley) or while standing in the non-volley zone. The return of serve must land in the opponent’s court, clearing the non-volley zone.
• The third shot (the shot after the return of serve) must also be done after the ball bounces once in the hitter’s court. The hitter can hit the ball in the air (volley) or while standing in the non-volley zone, as long as the ball bounces first. The third shot must land in the opponent’s court, clearing the non-volley zone.
• After the third shot, the ball can be hit in the air (volley) or after a bounce, as long as the player does not hit the ball while standing in the non-volley zone or while the ball is in the non-volley zone. The player can enter the non-volley zone to hit the ball after it bounces, or to follow through after a volley, as long as the player does not touch the non-volley zone line or the court inside the non-volley zone with any part of the body or the paddle. The player must exit the non-volley zone before hitting the next shot.
• The rally continues until one of the following happens: the ball lands out of bounds, the ball does not clear the net, the ball bounces twice in one court, the ball is hit in the air or while standing in the non-volley zone, the ball is hit while it is in the non-volley zone, the player touches the net or the net post with any part of the body or the paddle, the player touches the non-volley zone line or the court inside the non-volley zone with any part of the body or the paddle, or the player commits any other fault as defined by the official rules¹.

Scoring System

• Pickleball uses a rally scoring system, which means that a point is scored on every serve, regardless of which team is serving. The game is played to 11 points, and a team must win by 2 points. A match is usually best of 3 games, but can be any number of games as agreed by the players or the tournament officials.
• The score is announced by the server before each serve, and it consists of three numbers: the server’s score, the receiver’s score, and the server number (1 or 2). For example, if the serving team has 5 points, the receiving team has 3 points, and the first server of the serving team is serving, the score is announced as 5-3-1. If the serving team wins the rally, the score becomes 6-3-1, and the same server serves again. If the serving team loses the rally, the score becomes 3-6-2, and the second server of the serving team serves. If the serving team loses the rally again, the score becomes 3-6-1, and the serve goes to the receiving team, who becomes the new serving team.
• At the start of each game, only the first server of the serving team serves. If the first server wins the rally, the score becomes 1-0-2, and the second server of the serving team serves. If the first server loses the rally, the score becomes 0-0-2, and the serve goes to the receiving team.

Singles vs. Doubles

• The rules for singles and doubles are mostly the same, except for the following differences:
  • In singles, there is no second server, so the server number is always 1. For example, if the server has 4 points and the receiver has 2 points, the score is announced as 4-2-1.
  • In singles, the serve is done from the right service court when the server has an even number of points, and from the left service court when the server has an odd number of points. For example, if the server has 3 points, the serve is done from the left service court. If the server wins the rally, the score becomes 4-2-1, and the serve is done from the right service court.
  • In doubles, the serve is always done from the right service court at the start of each side’s turn to serve. The serve then alternates between the right and left service courts until a fault is made. For example, if the first server of the serving team serves from the right service court and wins the rally, the score becomes 1-0-2, and the second server of the serving team serves from the left service court.

No-Volley Zone (Kitchen)

• The no-volley zone, also known as the kitchen, is the 7-foot area on each side of the net, marked by two parallel lines. The no-volley zone extends to the sidelines and the baseline, but not beyond them. The no-volley zone is a critical part of the pickleball rules and strategy, as it prevents players from hitting the ball in the air (volley) close to the net, which would give them an unfair advantage over the opponents.
• The no-volley zone rules are as follows:
  • A player cannot hit the ball in the air (volley) while standing in the no-volley zone or while the ball is in the no-volley zone. This is a fault, and the point goes to the other team.
  • A player can enter the no-volley zone to hit the ball after it bounces, or to follow through after a volley, as long as the player does not touch the no-volley zone line or the court inside the no-volley zone with any part of the body or the paddle. This is not a fault, and the rally continues.
  • A player must exit the no-volley zone before hitting the next shot. If the player hits the ball in the air (volley) while still in the no-volley zone, or while the ball is in the no-volley zone, this is a fault, and the point goes to the other team.
  • A player can hit the ball in the air (volley) while standing outside the no-volley zone, as long as the ball is not in the no-volley zone. This is not a fault, and the rally continues.

Two-Bounce Rule

• The two-bounce rule is another important part of the pickleball rules and strategy, as it forces the players to use more skill and strategy than just hitting the ball hard and fast. The two-bounce rule states that the ball must bounce once in each side’s court before the players can hit the ball in the air (volley). This means that the serve, the return of serve, and the third shot must all be done after the ball bounces. After the third shot, the ball can be hit in the air (volley) or after a bounce, as long as the no-volley zone rules are followed.
• The two-bounce rule applies to both singles and doubles, and it helps to create longer and more exciting rallies, as well as to level the playing field between players of different skill levels and physical abilities.

Other Important Rules

• There are some other important rules that you should know when playing pickleball, such as:
  • The ball is in play until it lands out of bounds, hits a permanent object (such as a fence, a wall, or a ceiling), or bounces twice in one court. The ball is out of bounds if it lands on or outside the boundary line. The boundary line is part of the court, so if the ball touches the line, it is in. The non-volley zone line is part of the non-volley zone, so if the ball or the player touches the line, it is a fault.
  • The serve must be done from the right service court at the start of each side’s turn to serve. The serve then alternates between the right and left service courts until a fault is made. For example, if the first server of the serving team serves from the right service court and wins the rally, the score becomes 1-0-2, and the second server of the serving team serves from the left service court.
• The ball must be hit with the paddle, not with any part of the body or clothing. The paddle can be any shape, size, or material, as long as it meets the specifications set by the official rules. The ball must be made of durable plastic with holes, and it must have a diameter of 2.874 inches (7.3 cm) and a weight of 0.78 to 0.935 ounces (22 to 26.5 grams).
• If the ball hits the net or the net post and lands in the opponent’s court, it is a valid shot and the rally continues. However, if the ball hits the net or the net post on the serve, it is a let serve and the serve is replayed. There is no limit to the number of let serves.
• If the ball lands on the line, it is considered in. This applies to the boundary line, the non-volley zone line, and the center line. The line is part of the court or the zone that it defines.
• If a player or a team commits a fault, the point goes to the other player or team. A fault is any action that violates the rules of pickleball, such as hitting the ball out of bounds, not clearing the net, hitting the ball in the air or while standing in the non-volley zone, touching the net or the net post with any part of the body or the paddle, etc.

Pickleball Strategy

Now that you know the rules of pickleball, let’s talk about the strategy. Pickleball strategy is the art of using your skills, knowledge, and tactics to gain an advantage over your opponents and win more points and games. Pickleball strategy can be divided into several aspects, such as serving strategy, return of serve strategy, dinking strategy, volleying strategy, positioning strategy, and communication and teamwork (doubles). In this section, we will cover some general tips and some specific strategies for each aspect of pickleball.

General Tips

• Pickleball is a game of skill, not power. The key to success is to control the ball, not to hit it hard. You want to place the ball where your opponents are not, or where they are least comfortable. You want to avoid hitting the ball too high, too low, too short, or too long. You want to avoid hitting the ball to your opponent’s sweet spot, or to their stronger side. You want to avoid hitting the ball to the middle of the court, where your opponents have more options. You want to avoid hitting the ball to the same spot repeatedly, where your opponents can anticipate and adjust. You want to vary your shots, your angles, your spins, and your speeds, to keep your opponents guessing and off balance.
• Pickleball is a game of patience, not aggression. The key to success is to wait for the right opportunity, not to force it. You want to play smart, not risky. You want to play consistent, not flashy. You want to play defensive, not offensive. You want to avoid making unforced errors, or giving away easy points. You want to avoid hitting difficult shots, or shots that you are not confident with. You want to avoid hitting attackable balls, or balls that your opponents can easily hit back hard. You want to avoid hitting the ball out of your comfort zone, or out of your reach. You want to play within your skill level, not above it.
• Pickleball is a game of strategy, not luck. The key to success is to have a plan, not to improvise. You want to have a goal, not to play randomly. You want to have a system, not to play chaotically. You want to have a pattern, not to play unpredictably. You want to have a routine, not to play spontaneously. You want to have a style, not to play generically. You want to have a game plan, not to play reactively. You want to play proactively, not passively.

Serving Strategy

• The serve is the first shot of the rally, and it sets the tone for the rest of the point. The serve is also the only shot that you have complete control over, as you are not influenced by your opponent’s actions. Therefore, the serve is a very important part of the pickleball strategy, and you should use it wisely. Here are some tips and strategies for serving in pickleball:
  • The main purpose of the serve is to start the rally, not to end it. You want to make sure that your serve is in, not out. You want to avoid hitting the net, the non-volley zone, or the wrong service court. You want to avoid hitting a fault, or giving away a free point. You want to hit a consistent and reliable serve, not a risky and unreliable one.
  • The secondary purpose of the serve is to put pressure on your opponent, not to give them an easy return. You want to make sure that your serve is deep, not short. You want to hit the ball as close to the baseline as possible, without hitting it out. You want to force your opponent to hit the ball from behind the baseline, not from inside the court. You want to hit a low and fast serve, not a high and slow one.
  • The tertiary purpose of the serve is to create an advantage for yourself, not to give your opponent an opportunity. You want to make sure that your serve is angled, not straight. You want to hit the ball to the corners of the service court, not to the middle. You want to force your opponent to hit the ball from the side, not from the center. You want to hit a spin and curve serve, not a flat and straight one.
  • The quaternary purpose of the serve is to surprise your opponent, not to be predictable. You want to make sure that your serve is varied, not repetitive. You want to change the direction, the speed, the spin, and the height of your serve, not to hit the same serve every time. You want to keep your opponent guessing and off balance, not to let them anticipate and adjust. You want to hit a creative and innovative serve, not a boring and conventional one.

Return of Serve Strategy

• The return of serve is the second shot of the rally, and it is the response to the serve. The return of serve is also a very important part of the pickleball strategy, as it determines the outcome of the point. Here are some tips and strategies for returning the serve in pickleball:
  • The main purpose of the return of serve is to neutralize the serve, not to counterattack it. You want to make sure that your return of serve is in, not out. You want to avoid hitting the net, the non-volley zone, or the wrong court. You want to avoid hitting a fault, or giving away a free point. You want to hit a consistent and reliable return of serve, not a risky and unreliable one.
  • The secondary purpose of the return of serve is to put pressure on the server, not to give them an easy third shot. You want to make sure that your return of serve is deep, not short. You want to hit the ball as close to the baseline as possible, without hitting it out. You want to force the server to hit the ball from behind the baseline, not from inside the court. You want to hit a low and fast return of serve, not a high and slow one.
  • The tertiary purpose of the return of serve is to create an advantage for yourself, not to give the server an opportunity. You want to make sure that your return of serve is angled, not straight. You want to hit the ball to the corners of the court, not to the middle. You want to force the server to hit the ball from the side, not from the center. You want to hit a spin and curve return of serve, not a flat and straight one.
  • The quaternary purpose of the return of serve is to surprise the server, not to be predictable. You want to make sure that your return of serve is varied, not repetitive. You want to change the direction, the speed, the spin, and the height of your return of serve, not to hit the same return of serve every time. You want to keep the server guessing and off balance, not to let them anticipate and adjust. You want to hit a creative and innovative return of serve, not a boring and conventional one.

Dinking Strategy

• The dink is a soft shot that is hit just over the net and lands in the opponent’s non-volley zone. The dink is one of the most important and effective shots in pickleball, as it allows you to control the pace and the placement of the ball, and to force your opponent to hit the ball up, which gives you a chance to hit a volley or a smash. The dink is also one of the most difficult and challenging shots in pickleball, as it requires a lot of touch, finesse, and accuracy. Here are some tips and strategies for dinking in pickleball:
  • The main purpose of the dink is to keep the ball low, not to hit it high. You want to make sure that your dink clears the net, but not by much. You want to avoid hitting the net, or hitting the ball too high. You want to hit a low and soft dink, not a high and hard dink. You want to hit the ball with a gentle and smooth stroke, not with a forceful and jerky one.
  • The secondary purpose of the dink is to make the ball bounce low, not high. You want to make sure that your dink lands in the non-volley zone, but not too close to the net or the line. You want to avoid hitting the ball too far, or hitting the ball out of bounds. You want to hit a short and soft dink, not a long and hard one. You want to hit the ball with a backspin or a sidespin, not with a topspin or a flat spin.
  • The tertiary purpose of the dink is to move the ball around, not to hit it straight. You want to make sure that your dink is angled, not straight. You want to hit the ball to the corners of the non-volley zone, not to the middle. You want to force your opponent to move from side to side, not to stay in the center. You want to hit a crosscourt dink or a diagonal dink, not a straight dink or a parallel dink.
  • The quaternary purpose of the dink is to set up a winning shot, not to win the point. You want to make sure that your dink is strategic, not random. You want to hit the ball to your opponent’s weaker side, not to their stronger side. You want to force your opponent to hit the ball up, not down. You want to hit a deceptive dink or a tricky dink, not a predictable dink or a simple dink.

Volleying Strategy

• The volley is a shot that is hit in the air, without letting the ball bounce. The volley is a powerful and aggressive shot that can help you end the point quickly and decisively. However, the volley is also a risky and difficult shot that can expose you to counterattacks and errors. Here are some tips and strategies for volleying in pickleball:
  • The main purpose of the volley is to attack the ball, not to defend it. You want to make sure that your volley is in, not out. You want to avoid hitting the net, the non-volley zone, or the wrong court. You want to avoid hitting a fault, or giving away a free point. You want to hit a confident and decisive volley, not a tentative and hesitant one.
  • The secondary purpose of the volley is to put pressure on your opponent, not to give them time. You want to make sure that your volley is fast, not slow. You want to hit the ball as soon as possible, without waiting for it to drop. You want to force your opponent to react quickly, not to prepare calmly. You want to hit a hard and sharp volley, not a soft and gentle one.
  • The tertiary purpose of the volley is to create an angle, not to hit it straight. You want to make sure that your volley is angled, not straight. You want to hit the ball to the corners of the court, not to the middle. You want to force your opponent to stretch and reach, not to stay comfortable and balanced. You want to hit a crosscourt volley or a diagonal volley, not a straight volley or a parallel volley.
  • The quaternary purpose of the volley is to surprise your opponent, not to be predictable. You want to make sure that your volley is varied, not repetitive. You want to change the direction, the speed, the spin, and the height of your volley, not to hit the same volley every time. You want to keep your opponent guessing and off balance, not to let them anticipate and adjust. You want to hit a creative and innovative volley, not a boring and conventional one.

Positioning Strategy

• The positioning is the place where you stand on the court, relative to the net, the sidelines, the baseline, and your partner (doubles). The positioning is a crucial part of the pickleball strategy, as it affects your ability to hit and defend different shots, as well as your communication and teamwork with your partner. Here are some tips and strategies for positioning in pickleball:
  • The main purpose of the positioning is to cover the court, not to leave gaps. You want to make sure that your positioning is balanced, not skewed. You want to avoid standing too close or too far from the net, the sidelines, the baseline, or your partner. You want to avoid leaving open spaces or angles for your opponent to exploit. You want to position yourself in a way that allows you to hit and defend most of the shots, not to limit your options or expose your weaknesses.
  • The secondary purpose of the positioning is to move with the ball, not to stay static. You want to make sure that your positioning is dynamic, not static. You want to avoid standing still or moving too late. You want to adjust your position according to the ball’s direction, speed, spin, and height. You want to move forward, backward, sideways, or diagonally, depending on the situation. You want to position yourself in a way that allows you to hit and defend the next shot, not to be caught off guard or out of position.
  • The tertiary purpose of the positioning is to create pressure on your opponent, not to give them space. You want to make sure that your positioning is aggressive, not passive. You want to avoid standing too far back or too far apart. You want to move closer to the net, the sidelines, the baseline, or your partner, depending on the situation. You want to reduce your opponent’s time and space, not to give them more. You want to position yourself in a way that allows you to hit and defend more volleys and smashes, not to let your opponent hit more dinks and lobs.
  • The quaternary purpose of the positioning is to communicate with your partner, not to be silent. You want to make sure that your positioning is coordinated, not isolated. You want to avoid standing too close or too far from your partner. You want to move in sync with your partner, depending on the situation. You want to use verbal and non-verbal communication, not to be silent or ambiguous. You want to position yourself in a way that allows you to hit and defend as a team, not to play as individuals.

Communication and Teamwork (Doubles)

• The communication and teamwork are the skills that allow you and your partner to work together as a team, not as individuals. The communication and teamwork are essential for playing doubles in pickleball, as they can help you coordinate your shots, your movements, your positions, and your strategies. Here are some tips and strategies for communication and teamwork in pickleball:
  • The main purpose of the communication and teamwork is to avoid confusion, not to create it. You want to make sure that your communication and teamwork are clear, not vague. You want to avoid overlapping or conflicting with your partner. You want to avoid hitting the same ball, or missing the same ball. You want to avoid hitting your partner, or getting hit by your partner. You want to communicate and work together in a way that allows you to hit and defend the best shots, not to hit and defend the worst shots.
  • The secondary purpose of the communication and teamwork is to share information, not to withhold it. You want to make sure that your communication and teamwork are informative, not secretive. You want to share with your partner what you see, what you hear, what you feel, and what you plan. You want to share with your partner the direction, the speed, the spin, and the height of the ball. You want to share with your partner your position, your movement, your intention, and your expectation. You want to communicate and work together in a way that allows you to hit and defend the next shots, not to hit and defend the previous shots.
  • The tertiary purpose of the communication and teamwork is to encourage each other, not to criticize each other. You want to make sure that your communication and teamwork are positive, not negative. You want to support your partner, not to blame your partner. You want to praise your partner, not to scold your partner. You want to motivate your partner, not to discourage your partner. You want to communicate and work together in a way that allows you to hit and defend with confidence, not with doubt.
  • The quaternary purpose of the communication and teamwork is to have fun, not to be serious. You want to make sure that your communication and teamwork are enjoyable, not stressful. You want to have fun with your partner, not to argue with your partner. You want to laugh with your partner, not to yell at your partner. You want to celebrate with your partner, not to complain with your partner. You want to communicate and work together in a way that allows you to hit and defend with joy, not with anger.

Conclusion

In Short, this article has covered the basic and advanced rules and strategies of pickleball, a fun and exciting sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. You have learned about the serve, the return of serve, the dink, the volley, the positioning, and the communication and teamwork in pickleball, as well as some general tips and some common mistakes to avoid. By applying these rules and strategies, you can improve your pickleball skills, win more games, and have more fun. Pickleball is a game of skill, patience, strategy, and fun, and it is a great way to stay fit and healthy, and to make new friends. If you are interested in learning more about pickleball, you can check out the official rules, the complete pickleball guide, and the pickleball community.