Pickleball 101 Rules for Beginners
Starting your first Pickleball 101 clinic at Side Out Tsunami?
Here’s a quick guide to help you understand the basic rules of pickleball before or after class so you can step on the court with confidence.
Remember These Sayings From Class
“Serve and Stay”
We serve and stay because when the opponent returns the ball, we have to let it bounce before hitting the next shot.
“Return and Run”
We return and run up to the net because after the return, the ball only needs to bounce once—then it’s fair game (except for the non-volley zone rules).
Scoring Rules
The Basics
- You can only score when your team is serving.
- Games are played to 11 points (win by 2).
How Serving Works
The player standing on the right side always serves first. Both players on each team get a chance to serve during every possession (except for the first point of the game).
Calling the Score
There are three numbers in the score, for example “0-2-1”:
- Your score (0)
- Your opponent’s score (2)
- Who is serving (1 = first server)
After scoring, you switch sides with your partner and keep serving.
If you lose a rally, your partner gets the next serve. Once both servers lose a rally, possession goes to the other team.
Keep going until one team reaches 11 (win by 2).
Serving Rules and Mechanics
There are two ways to serve in pickleball:
- Volley Serve: Drop and hit the ball in the air.
- Bounce Serve: Let the ball bounce first before hitting it — great for beginners building consistency.
Position
- Stay behind the baseline until making contact.
- Your momentum can carry you forward after contact.
- You must serve from your side of the court (right or left box).
- You only get one serve attempt per point.
Where to Aim
Serve diagonally (cross court) into your opponent’s service box.
Aim deep — depth keeps your opponents back.
Serving into the non-volley zone line is a fault, but hitting the net on a serve that still lands in is legal.
Volley Serve
- Make contact underhand, below your belly button.
- The paddle head must stay below your wrist at contact.
Bounce Serve
- Drop the ball without forcing it down or throwing it.
- All the underhand restrictions from the volley serve don’t apply here.
- Keep your drop consistent — same height, same placement, every time.
Return Rules
The returner must let the ball bounce before hitting it. Remember: Return and Run!
The non-returner should already be at the non-volley line, ready to volley the next shot after the bounce.
Non-Volley Zone (The “Kitchen”) Rules
What is a Volley?
Volleying means hitting the ball out of the air before it bounces.
The Basic Rule
You cannot volley while standing inside the non-volley zone or touching its line.
Momentum Matters
If you volley the ball and your momentum carries you into the non-volley zone, it’s a fault — even if the rally is over.
Equipment Counts Too
If your paddle, hat, or any gear falls into the non-volley zone after a volley, that’s a fault.
Touching the net with your paddle at any time is also a fault.
When You Can Enter the Non-Volley Zone
You can step into the kitchen anytime as long as you don’t volley.
If the ball bounces first, step in, play your shot, and step out again.
See You On The Court
These rules might seem like a lot at first, but they’ll make sense once you’re playing.
Each rally helps the game click a little more.
Can’t wait to see you at your next clinic at Side Out Tsunami!
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