Pickleball Rules | The Definitive Beginner's Resource to How to Play Pickleball

PlayPickleball.com

9 Oct 201702:18

Summary

TLDRPickleball, the rapidly growing sport in the U.S., is easy to learn and played on a 44x20-foot court with a low net dividing it into two sides. The game starts with an underhand serve, and the ball must bounce once on each side before volleying is allowed, following the 'double bounce rule'. The 'kitchen', or non-volley zone, restricts players from hitting the ball before it bounces. This engaging sport combines strategy and fun, with scoring details available at www.playpickleball.com.

Takeaways

🏓 Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the United States due to its easy learning curve.
🎾 The game is played on a 44-foot by 20-foot rectangular court with a low net dividing the two sides.
📏 The court features two sidelines, two baselines, center lines, and non-volley lines creating 'kitchen' zones.
🔄 The center line divides each side into two service courts: left and right service courts.
🤚 Every point in pickleball begins with an underhand serve from behind the baseline, crossing over to the opponent's service court.
🚫 The serve must clear the net and not land in the kitchen area.
🔄 The 'double bounce rule' requires the ball to bounce once on each side before volleying is allowed.
🔄 Teams must let the ball bounce once on their side before returning the serve and after the serve has bounced on the opponent's side.
🏋️‍♂️ Players are not allowed to hit the ball while standing in the kitchen unless it has already bounced on their side.
🏆 The game continues with volleys or bounces until a fault occurs, such as hitting the net, going out of bounds, or a double bounce on one side.
📚 For more information on pickleball scoring, visit www.playpickleball.com to watch the scoring video.

Q & A

What is the fastest growing sport in the United States according to the transcript?
-Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the United States.
What is unique about the court size for pickleball?
-The pickleball court is rectangular, measuring 44 feet by 20 feet.
How is the pickleball court divided?
-The court is divided into two sides by a low net, with sidelines, baselines, center lines, and two non-volley lines creating two non-volley zones known as the kitchen.
What are the two service courts on each side of the court called?
-The two service courts are called the left service court and the right service court.
How is the serve performed in pickleball?
-The serve must be hit underhand, from behind the baseline, cross-court into the opposing team's service court, and must clear the net without landing in the kitchen.
What is the double bounce rule in pickleball?
-The double bounce rule states that the ball must bounce once on each side before either team may start volleying the ball in the air.
What happens after the ball has bounced on both sides in a pickleball match?
-After the ball has bounced on both sides, either team may volley the ball into the air or let it bounce once more before striking it.
What is the non-volley zone in pickleball known as?
-The non-volley zone is affectionately called the kitchen.
What is not allowed when a player is standing in the kitchen?
-Players may not hit the ball while standing in the kitchen unless the ball has already bounced on their side.
What should a player do if they want to learn about pickleball scoring?
-To learn about pickleball scoring, a player should visit www.playpickleball.com and view the pickleball scoring video.
What is the purpose of the video mentioned in the transcript?
-The purpose of the video is to provide knowledge needed to play the first game of pickleball and to introduce the basic rules and gameplay.

Outlines

00:00

🏓 Introduction to Pickleball

This paragraph introduces pickleball as the fastest-growing sport in the United States due to its easy learning curve. It outlines the basic setup of a pickleball court, which is a 44-foot by 20-foot rectangle divided by a net, with sidelines, baselines, and non-volley zones known as 'the kitchen.' The serve begins the point and must be executed underhand from behind the baseline, crossing the court into the opponent's service court without landing in the kitchen. The double bounce rule is explained, which requires the ball to bounce once on each side before volleying is allowed. The paragraph also mentions the unique non-volley zone restrictions and concludes by encouraging viewers to learn more about scoring by visiting a specific website.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Pickleball

Pickleball is a sport that is rapidly gaining popularity in the United States, as indicated in the script. It is characterized by its relatively simple rules and ease of learning, making it accessible to a wide range of players. The video script introduces the basic elements of the game, such as the court dimensions and the rules for serving and volleying.

💡Court

The pickleball court is a rectangular area measuring 44 feet by 20 feet, as mentioned in the script. It is divided into two halves by a net and includes sidelines, baselines, and a center line. Understanding the court layout is crucial for players to navigate the game effectively and adhere to the rules.

💡Net

The net in pickleball is a low barrier that separates the two halves of the court. It plays a significant role in the game as the ball must clear the net during a serve and cannot be volleyed directly over it without the ball first bouncing. The net is a fundamental element that defines the boundaries and rules of play.

💡Service Courts

The term 'service courts' refers to the two halves of the court on either side of the net, divided by the center line. The script specifies that there is a left service court and a right service court. Each point in pickleball begins with a serve from one of these courts, emphasizing the importance of this area in the game's structure.

💡Serve

The serve in pickleball is the initial action that starts each point. As described in the script, it must be executed underhand from behind the baseline and directed cross-court into the opposing team's service court. The serve is a critical moment in the game as it sets the stage for the ensuing rally.

💡Double-Bounce Rule

The double-bounce rule is a key aspect of pickleball, as highlighted in the script. It stipulates that the ball must bounce once on each side of the court before volleying can begin. This rule adds a strategic element to the game, as players must decide when to initiate volleys and how to manage the ball's bounce.

💡Volley

Volleying in pickleball refers to the act of striking the ball in the air without letting it bounce. According to the script, players can only start volleying after the ball has bounced on both sides. This rule influences how players approach the game, as they must balance between volleying and allowing the ball to bounce.

💡Non-Volley Zone

The non-volley zone, also known as the kitchen, is an area on each side of the court where players are not allowed to hit the ball while standing within it unless the ball has already bounced on their side. This zone is a distinctive feature of pickleball that adds a layer of complexity to the game, as players must navigate their movements and shots accordingly.

💡Kitchen

The term 'kitchen' is used in the script to refer to the non-volley zones on each side of the court. This is a crucial area where players must adhere to specific rules regarding ball contact. The kitchen is a strategic space that can dictate the flow and outcome of a rally.

💡Rally

A rally in pickleball is the continuous exchange of shots between teams until one side commits a fault, such as hitting the ball in the net or out of bounds. The script describes how the rally continues after the initial serve and bounce, with players volleying or allowing the ball to bounce as they compete to gain points.

💡Fault

A fault in pickleball occurs when a team fails to return the ball properly, such as when it hits the net, goes out of bounds, or is not returned before bouncing twice on their side. As mentioned in the script, a fault ends the rally and results in a point for the opposing team. Understanding when and how faults occur is essential for players to strategize and avoid losing points.

Highlights

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the United States.

It has a very short learning curve.

Pickleball is played on a 44-foot by 20-foot rectangular court.

The court is divided into two sides by a low net.

There are two sidelines, two baselines, a center line on each side, and two non-volley lines.

The non-volley lines create two non-volley zones called the kitchen.

The center line divides each side into two service courts.

Every point begins with a serve.

A pickleball serve must be hit underhand from behind the baseline.

The serve must cross-court into the opposing team's service court and clear the net.

The ball must not land in the kitchen during the serve.

The double bounce rule states the ball must bounce once on each side before volleying.

After the serve, the ball must bounce once on both sides before volleying.

The rally continues until a team hits the ball in the net, out of bounds, or lets the ball bounce twice.

The non-volley zone or kitchen is a unique aspect of pickleball.

Players may not hit the ball in the kitchen unless it has already bounced on their side.

Pickleball is a fun and exciting sport.

For more information on pickleball scoring, visit www.playpickleball.com.