General Pickleball Rules & Regulations

The following rules apply to all league matches. These rules are intended to provide a clear, fair, and consistent standard of play for everyone in the league.

1. Court & Boundaries

• Pickleball is played on a court divided by a net.

• Each side includes a right and left service court and a Non-Volley Zone, commonly known as the Kitchen.

• A ball that lands on a boundary line is considered in, subject to the specific serving rules governing the Non-Volley Zone line.

• A ball that lands completely outside the court boundaries is out.

2. Starting the Game

Before play begins, players should confirm:

• Which team will serve first.

• Which side of the court each team will begin on.

• The scoring format being used.

Players should be ready to begin at their scheduled match time.

3. Serving

• Every point begins with a serve.

• The server must serve from behind the baseline and within the appropriate serving area.

• The serve is made diagonally across the court into the opponent’s correct service court.

• The serve must clear the Non-Volley Zone and its line.

• Only one serve attempt is permitted unless otherwise required by the applicable rules.

• The score should be clearly called before the serve.

4. Serving Sequence — Doubles

In doubles play, both players on a team normally have an opportunity to serve before possession passes to the opposing team, with the exception of the first serving sequence of a game.

When the serving team wins a rally, the server switches sides with their partner and continues serving.

When the serving team loses the rally, the serve passes to the next eligible server according to the serving sequence.

Players are responsible for maintaining the correct server, receiver, and court positions.

5. Two-Bounce Rule

The Two-Bounce Rule applies at the beginning of every point:

1. The receiving team must allow the serve to bounce before returning it.

2. The serving team must allow the return of serve to bounce before hitting it.

After these two required bounces have occurred, either team may volley the ball or play it after a bounce, provided all other rules are followed.

6. The Kitchen — Non-Volley Zone

The area extending 7 feet from the net on both sides is the Non-Volley Zone, commonly called the Kitchen.

Players:

• May not volley while standing in the Kitchen.

• May not touch the Kitchen or its boundary line while volleying.

• May not allow their momentum from a volley to carry them into the Kitchen.

• May enter the Kitchen at any time to play a ball that has bounced.

• Must re-establish both feet outside the Kitchen before legally volleying again after being inside it.

Simply standing in the Kitchen is not a fault. The restriction applies when volleying the ball.

7. Volleys

A volley occurs when a player hits the ball out of the air before it bounces.

Volleys are permitted anywhere on the court except when the player is in contact with the Non-Volley Zone or violates the applicable Kitchen rules.

8. Faults

A fault ends the rally.

Common faults include:

• Hitting the ball into the net.

• Hitting the ball out of bounds.

• Allowing the ball to bounce twice before returning it.

• Volleying the ball from the Kitchen.

• Violating the Two-Bounce Rule.

• Making an illegal serve.

• Being touched by the ball before it bounces when the ball is otherwise in play.

• A player, clothing, paddle, or equipment touching the net while the ball is live.

9. Line Calls

Players are responsible for making honest and accurate line calls on their side of the court.

• A ball touching a line is generally considered in.

• Players should only call a ball out when they can clearly see space between the ball and the line.

• When there is uncertainty, the benefit of the doubt should go to the opponent.

• Partners should work together when making line calls.

• Players should not argue excessively over close calls.

When in doubt, the ball is in.

10. Score Calling

The score should be called clearly before every serve.

In traditional doubles scoring, three numbers are called:

Serving Team Score – Receiving Team Score – Server Number

Example: 5 – 3 – 2

This means the serving team has 5 points, the receiving team has 3 points, and the team’s second server is serving.

11. Let Serves

If a serve touches the net but still lands legally in the correct service court, the ball remains live and play continues.

There is no automatic replay simply because the serve touches the net.

12. Balls Entering the Court

If a ball from another court enters the playing area and creates a safety concern or interferes with play:

• Immediately call “Ball!”

• Stop the rally.

• Replay the point.

Safety takes priority over finishing the rally.

13. Player Interference & Distractions

Players may not intentionally distract or interfere with an opponent while the ball is in play.

This includes deliberate:

• Shouting or unnecessary noises intended to distract an opponent.

• Gestures intended to interfere with play.

• Physical interference.

• Unsportsmanlike behaviour designed to affect an opponent’s ability to play the ball.

Normal communication between partners is permitted.

14. Sportsmanship

All players are expected to compete fairly and respectfully.

Players should:

• Respect opponents and partners.

• Make fair line calls.

• Call the score clearly.

• Avoid unnecessary arguments.

• Respect league officials and facility staff.

• Shake hands or acknowledge opponents following a match.

• Help maintain a welcoming and competitive environment.

Repeated unsportsmanlike conduct may result in penalties or disciplinary action under the league’s Rules & Regulations.

15. Injuries & Safety

Player safety always comes first.

If a player becomes injured or an unsafe condition develops, play should stop immediately.

Players should never enter another active court to retrieve a ball. Wait until play has stopped or alert the players on that court.

16. Rules Not Specifically Covered

For situations not specifically addressed in these league rules, the league may refer to the current official USA Pickleball rules as a guideline.

League management has final authority regarding the interpretation and application of rules for league play.

Remember

Play fair. Make honest calls. Respect your partner and opponents. Have fun.

The goal is competitive pickleball in an environment everyone looks forward to coming back to each week.