Pickleball has turned into one of those sports you hear about everywhere — in parks, gyms, clubs, and even office conversations. The game started as a backyard pastime and has now become a global sensation, attracting players of all ages.

With more players joining every month, knowing the official 2026 rules is more important than ever. Whether you’re stepping onto the court for the first time or brushing up to stay sharp, understanding these updated rules ensures fair play, smoother rallies, and a better experience for everyone.

So, let’s break down the official 2026 pickleball rules that you need to know to hit the court with confidence. Let’s begin with a quick overview of this racket sport. 

What Is Pickleball: Quick Overview

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines the elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong (table tennis). It is played on a court that’s smaller than a padel court. The net is slightly lowered, and instead of a tennis ball, players hit a perforated plastic ball, which bounces lower and slower.

Because of its slower pace and small court size, pickleball is a game that’s accessible for many — including those who might not be hardcore athletes. That simplicity is one reason the sport has exploded in popularity. 

Playing Pickleball: Court Layout

Pickleball is a racket-based game that is almost always played in doubles. The following is the basic court layout for pickleball, according to official rules:

• Court size: 20 feet wide × 44 feet long (≈ 6.10 m × 13.41 m) — same for both singles and doubles.  
• Net height: 36 inches (at the sidelines), 34 inches (at center).  
• Non-volley zone (“Kitchen”): 7 feet (2.13 m) away from the net on each side.  
• Recommended total play area (for safety): At least about 30 ft × 60 ft. For a more comfortable setup (with buffer space), about 34 ft × 64 ft is ideal. 

Official Pickleball Rules

Now, let’s dive deeper to explore the official rules for playing pickleball.

1. Serving — Starting the Rally 

• The serve must be made diagonally cross-court into the opposite service court. 
• The server must stand behind the baseline, with at least one foot behind it, and cannot step on/or over the line until after contact with the ball. 
• The serve must be underhand, i.e., paddle contact with the ball must be below waist level when making a serve. 
• Only one serve attempt per service — no second serve if the first goes out (unless special “let-serve” rules are in effect). 
• At game start (in doubles), the first serving side is permitted only one fault before side-out; after that, both teammates on a serving side get to serve (until two faults).  

2. Service Sequence 

• The first serve in a new game or after a side-out always starts from the right-hand side of the court. 
• In doubles, only one player from the first serving team serves before the serve passes to the opponents. 
• The server switches sides (right → left or left → right) each time they score a point. 
• If the server faults (loses the rally), their partner now gets to serve from the correct side. 
• If the partner also faults, the serve passes to the opposing team (side-out). 
• In singles, the server serves from the right side when their score is even and the left side when their score is odd. 
• The server continues serving and switches sides as they score points. 

3. The Two-Bounce Rule 

• After a serve, the ball must bounce once on the receiver’s side before it can be returned. 
• The ball must then bounce once on the server’s side before either team is allowed to volley (hit it in the air). 
• Players cannot step into the non-volley zone (kitchen) and hit the ball in the air until these two bounces have occurred. 

This rule prevents immediate net domination and encourages longer, strategic rallies. 

4. The Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen) 

The non-volley zone is commonly called “the kitchen.” 

• The non-volley zone is the area within 7 feet on both sides of the net. 
• Volleying (hitting the ball in the air) is not allowed while standing in the non-volley zone. 
• It is a fault if a player volleys the ball while standing on or touching the non-volley zone line. 
• It is also a fault if momentum carries a player into the non-volley zone after a volley, even if the ball is already dead. 
• A player may stand or move inside the non-volley zone anytime they are not volleying. 

5. Scoring 

The scoring rules for pickleball can be divided into traditional play and rally-scoring rules. 

Traditional (Side-Out) Scoring: 

• Only the serving side can score a point when they win a rally. 
• Games are normally played to 11 points, and a team must win by at least 2 points. 
• If the serving side loses a rally, no point is awarded, and the serve passes to the opponent (side-out). 
• In doubles, serve alternates between the two teammates. When announcing the score, players often add a third number to indicate which player is serving (1 or 2). For example: “5–3–1” means your team has 5 points, opponents 3, and you are the first server. 
• The first server in a new game only gets one serve; after that, each teammate gets to serve until both have faults. 
• At the very start of a doubles game, the first serving side uses only one serve (commonly signaled as “0–0–2”). This balances fairness. 

Rally Scoring: 

• Both the serving and receiving sides can score points in rally scoring. 
• A point is awarded to the winner of every rally, regardless of who served. 
• Games are normally played to 15 or 21 points, and you must win by 2 points. 
• Rally scoring speeds up games and is sometimes used in tournaments or high-level play. 
• All other rules, like two-bounce and non-volley zone, still apply during rally scoring. 

6. Fault Rules 

A fault is any action that breaks the rules and stops the play. 

• If the serving team commits a fault, they lose the serve (side‑out). 
• If the receiving team commits a fault, the serving team scores a point. 

Common Faults Include: 

• A serve that does not land inside the correct service area. 
• The ball hits the net or fails to clear the net on a serve or return. 
• Volleying the ball before the two‑bounce rule has been satisfied. 
• The ball is being hit out of bounds (outside the court lines). 
• A volleyed ball struck while any part of the player or paddle touches the non‑volley zone (kitchen) or its line. 
• A ball bouncing twice on one side before being struck. 
• A player (or their clothing/equipment) touches the net or net post while the ball is in play. 
• A ball in play striking a player or something they are wearing or carrying. 
• A ball in play hits any permanent object (like a post or fence) before it hits the pickleball court. 
• Violation of any serving rule, such as serving from the wrong position or hitting the ball above the waist on serve. 

Final Thoughts 

With growing popularity, the number of players playing pickleball is also increasing. That’s why players must know the basic rules of playing this racket sport, whether a beginner or a pro.

Whether you’re playing singles or doubles, all you really need to remember is: serve underhand, let the ball bounce twice at the start, avoid volleying in the kitchen, and score only when you serve. Once you’ve got that down, you’re ready to play by the book.

So, grab a paddle, find a court (such as the one in Padel Cafe), and join the growing community of pickleball players worldwide!

Frequently Asked Questions