A Beginner's Guide To Pickleball

Looking to try out America's fastest-growing sport? If you're new to the game, check out eight key rules to know before you begin playing It won't be long until you're hooked on the fun, fast-paced game!

1. Each point starts with a serve

The person on the right side of the court, facing their opponent, starts by serving diagonally into the right or left service area Be sure it clears the kitchen so it counts!

2. Your serve must be underhand

Serve the ball underhand, ensuring you make contact with the ball below your waist You can either hit it in the air or by bouncing it on the ground once before making contact

3. Each round is played until a fault

Faults occur when the serve doesn't clear the kitchen or when the ball is hit out of bounds or into the net A fault also occurs when you don't let the ball bounce on both sides of the court before starting to volley

4. No volleying in the kitchen!

You can never hit a volley while your body is in the kitchen or on the kitchen line

Ensure you don't get carried into the kitchen after a volley, either! The only exception to the rule is when your opponent dinks into the kitchen, which is a defensive shot that prompts you to be able to enter the kitchen to hit the ball

5. Let the ball bounce on both sides of the court

Before volleying, the ball must bounce at least once on each side of the court If you hit the ball before it bounces twice, it's a fault!

6. You only win points on your serve

You only win points on your serve, and you continue serving until you lose the point

7. Both partners serve during a turn

Both players have the opportunity to serve on their side to the opposite opponent. Therefore, if the first partner loses the point, the ball then goes to the second partner for their turn at serving. However, to keep it fair, the starting team gets just one serve

8. The game is played to 11 points – and you must win by 2.