Basic Pickleball Rules for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong into a fast-paced game that anyone can learn. Before stepping onto the court with your pickleball paddle, understanding the basic pickleball rules will help you play confidently from your very first game. The court is smaller, the pace is quicker, and the learning curve is refreshingly short.
We have broken down everything you need to know, from serving and scoring to the famous "kitchen" rule that makes pickleball unique.
Understanding the Pickleball Court First
A pickleball court measures 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, the same size as a doubles badminton court. The net stands 36 inches tall at the sidelines and 34 inches at the center. Each side includes right and left service courts where serves must land, a 7-foot non-volley zone (kitchen) extending from the net, and a baseline marking the back boundary.
The Basic Rules of Pickleball for Beginners
Once you understand these six fundamental rules, you will have everything needed to start playing. Each rule builds on the last to create a balanced, strategic game.
1. The Serve
Every point begins with a serve. Using a quality paddle makes serving easier as you develop your technique.
- Stand behind the baseline with both feet
- Hit the ball underhand, making contact below waist level
- Serve diagonally to the opposite service court
- Clear the net and land beyond the kitchen line
In doubles, the first serve of each game starts from the right side. After scoring, servers switch sides. If the serving team faults, the serve passes to their partner or the opposing team. Check out this video from Helios to learn more about the right serve.
2. The Two-Bounce Rule
After the serve, the ball must bounce once on each side before players can volley (hit the ball in the air):
- The serve bounces in the receiver's court (first bounce)
- The return bounces in the server's court (second bounce)
- After both bounces, either team may volley or play off the bounce
This rule prevents the serving team from rushing the net and creates more balanced rallies.
3. The Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen)
The kitchen is the 7-foot zone on each side of the net. Players cannot hit volleys while standing in the kitchen or on the kitchen line. Your momentum also cannot carry you into the kitchen after hitting a volley. You may enter the kitchen to play with a ball that has bounced. Mastering soft shots like dinks requires a paddle with good touch, such as The Gaia from our collection.
4. Scoring
Games are played to 11 points (sometimes 15 or 21), and you must win by 2. Only the serving team can score. When the receiving team wins a rally, they gain the serve but no point.
In doubles, players announce three numbers before serving: the serving team's score, the receiving team's score, and the server number (1 or 2). At the start of each game, the first server calls "0-0-2" because the starting team gets only one serve before a side out.
5. Faults
A fault ends the rally. Common faults include:
- Hitting the ball out of bounds or into the net
- Volleying before the two-bounce rule is satisfied
- Stepping into the kitchen while volleying
- Serving into the wrong court or the kitchen
- Allowing the ball to bounce twice on your side
6. Singles vs. Doubles
Most pickleball games are doubles, where two players compete on each side. Doubles is beginner-friendly because you cover less court. Singles follows the same rules but uses simplified scoring (only two numbers announced) and requires more movement.
Start Playing with the Right Equipment
Understanding the rules is just the first step. Having the right gear makes learning faster and more enjoyable. At Helios, we design paddles that help beginners develop proper technique while providing forgiveness on off-center hits. Our Helios Beginner Pickleball Paddle Set includes two paddles and balls, giving you everything needed for your first game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you step into the kitchen at any time?
Yes, but only to play a ball that has already bounced. You cannot volley while standing in the kitchen or on the kitchen line.
Q: What happens if the ball hits the line?
Any ball that touches a boundary line is considered in, except on serves, where hitting the kitchen line is a fault.
Q: Can you hit the ball before it bounces?
After the two-bounce rule is satisfied (one bounce on each side), you may volley or play off the bounce. Before that, each team must let the ball bounce once.
Q: What is a side out?
A side out occurs when the serving team loses both serves (in doubles) or their single serve (in singles), and service passes to the opposing team.
Q: How do you decide who serves first?
Teams typically flip a coin, spin a paddle, or rally for the first serve. The winner chooses to serve or receive.