How do I learn the basic rules of pickleball?

A fault in pickleball ends the rally and results in either a point for the opponent (rally scoring) or a side-out/lost serve (traditional scoring). Knowing faults helps you avoid giving away free points.

Doubles pickleball uses a unique three-number scoring system. The score is called as: serving team's score, receiving team's score, then server number (1 or 2). For example, "6-3-2" means the serving team has 6, receiving team has 3, and server #2 is serving.

The Non-Volley Zone (NVZ), called "the kitchen," extends 7 feet from the net on each side. You cannot hit the ball out of the air (volley) while any part of your body touches this zone, including the kitchen line.

Every pickleball rally begins with an underhand serve hit diagonally to the opponent's service court. The server's arm must move in an upward arc, paddle contact must be below the waist, and the paddle head must be below the wrist at contact.

The double-bounce rule (also called the two-bounce rule) is one of pickleball's most fundamental rules. After the serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce before returning it. Then the serving team must also let the return bounce before hitting it.

The 2026 USA Pickleball rulebook, effective January 1, 2026, introduced several important updates that all players should know.

A pickleball court measures 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, the same size for both singles and doubles. The net stands 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches at the center.