Selena Turner is a passionate pickleball competitor, having played in various tournaments nationwide. She is recognized for her potent smashes and tactical approach to the game. Selena takes pleasure in imparting her experiences and advice to fellow pickleball aficionados.
As a competitive pickleball player, I get asked this question a lot. The rules of pickleball may seem overwhelming at first, but they are actually quite simple once you get the hang of them. In this article, I will break down the basic rules of pickleball for beginners.
First and foremost, pickleball is played on a court that is similar in size to a doubles badminton court. The court is divided into two halves by a net, and the game can be played in singles or doubles format. The objective of the game is to score points by hitting the ball over the net and onto the opponent's side of the court without them being able to return it. For more information on court dimensions, check out this guide to pickleball court dimensions.
To start the game, a player must serve the ball diagonally across the net to the opponent's court. The serve must be underhand and the ball must land in the opponent's service court. If the serve lands outside the court or hits the net, it is considered a fault and the serve is given to the opponent. For tips on mastering the art of serving in pickleball, check out this guide to serving in pickleball.
Once the ball is in play, both teams must hit the ball back and forth over the net until one team fails to return it or hits it out of bounds. The ball can only bounce once on each side of the court before it must be returned. If the ball hits the net and lands in the opponent's court, it is considered a "let" and the serve is replayed. For more information on scoring in pickleball, check out this guide to scoring in pickleball.
Scoring in pickleball is a bit different than other racket sports. A point is only awarded to the serving team if they win the rally. If the receiving team wins the rally, they do not score a point but instead gain the opportunity to serve. The first team to reach 11 points with a two-point lead wins the game. To learn more about pickleball scoring, check out this guide to pickleball scoring.
There are a few other rules to keep in mind while playing pickleball. For example, players cannot enter the non-volley zone (also known as the "kitchen") and hit the ball out of the air unless the ball has bounced first. Additionally, players cannot hit the ball out of bounds or touch the net during play. For more information on the kitchen rules and other important rules, check out this guide to pickleball rules.
To summarize, the rules of pickleball may seem daunting at first, but they are actually quite simple once you get the hang of them. Remember to serve diagonally, hit the ball back and forth over the net, and score points by winning rallies. Keep these basic rules in mind and you'll be playing like a pro in no time.
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