Pickleball
Study Guide
Pickleball was created in the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. The game was developed as a children's backyard pastime.
Some sources claim that the name "Pickleball" came from that of the family dog named "Pickles".
Some sources claim that the name "Pickleball" came from that of the family dog named "Pickles".
The Serve
- The serve must be made underhand.
- The paddle must make contact with the ball below the server's waist.
- One foot must be behind the baseline.
- The serve is made diagonally crosscourt and must be within the boundaries of the court.
- ONLY one serve attempt is allowed, except in the event of a "LET".
Service Sequence
- Both players on the serving doubles team have the opportunity to serve and score points until they commit a fault, except for the first server at the start of a new game, where only the first server will serve.
- The First Serve of each side-out is made from the right-hand side of the court.
- If a point is scored, the server switches sides and the server will serve from the left-hand side of the court.
- When the server loses the serve, the partner will then serve.
- Before serving the server will say the score. If they say 3-2-2 - the serving side has 3 points, the receiving side has 2, and the 2nd server is serving.
Scoring
- Points are scored only by the serving team.
- Games are normally played to 11 points. Teams must win by 2 points.
- If the ball hits a line it is considered to be in/good.
- If the ball is played and hits an opponent on the other side of the net they lose the point.
Other Rules
- DOUBLE-BOUNCE RULE - When the ball is served, the receiving team must let the ball bounce before returning the serve. The serving team must also allow the ball to bounce once before returning the ball.
- After the ball has bounced once in each team's court, both teams may either volley the ball (hit it before it bounces) or play it off a bounce (ground stroke).
- NON-VOLLEY ZONE also known as the "KITCHEN" - Volleying the ball is prohibited within the non-volley zone. This rule prevents players from executing a smash form a position within the zone.
