Section 1 – The Game
Pickleball is a simple paddle game played using a
special perforated, slow-moving ball over a tennis-type net on a
badminton-sized court.
The ball is served underhand without bouncing it
off the court and is served diagonally to the opponent's service court.
Points are scored by the serving side only and
occur when the opponent faults (fails to return ball, hits ball out of bounds,
etc.). The server continues to serve, alternating service courts, until server
faults.
The first side scoring 11 points and leading by at least a 2-point margin wins. For example, if both sides are tied at 10 points, then play continues until one side wins by 2 points.
Unique Pickleball Features
Double Bounce Rule: Following serve, each side must
make at least one groundstroke, prior to volleying the ball (hitting it before
it has bounced).
Non-Volley Zone: A player cannot volley a ball
while standing within the non-volley zone.
Section 2 – Court and Equipment
Revised
2006
20 ft
10 ft
Centerline
Net Height 3 ft
44 ft
(34 in at center)
Non-Volley
Zone 7 ft
Non-Volley Line
Left Right
Sideline Service Service 15 ft
Court
Court
Baseline
Figure 2-1 The Court
2.A. Court Specifications. The dimensions and measurements for the standard pickleball court are:
2.A.1. The court shall be a rectangle 20 feet (6.10
m) wide and 44 feet (13.41 m) long for both singles and doubles matches. See
Figure 2-1.
2.A.2. A total playing area 30 feet (9.14 m) wide
and 60 feet (18.28 m) long is the minimum size that is recommended. A total
size of 34 feet (10.36 m) by 64 feet (19.5 m) is preferred.
2.A.3. Court measurements shall be made to the
outside of the lines. The lines should be 2 inches (5.1 cm) wide and the same
color, clearly contrasting with the color of the court surface.
2.B. Lines and Areas.
The lines and areas of the standard pickleball court are:
2.B.1. Baselines. The
baselines are the lines parallel to the net at each end of the court.
2.B.2. Sidelines. The
sidelines are the lines perpendicular to the net on each side of the court.
2.B.3. Non-Volley Line. The
non-volley line is the line on each side of the net between the sidelines and
parallel to the net. These lines are located 7 feet (2.13 m) from the net.
2.B.4. Non-Volley Zone. The
non-volley zone is the area on each side of the net between the non-volley line
and the net.
2.B.5. Centerline. The
centerline is the line on each side of the net bisecting the area between the
non-volley line and the baseline.
2.B.6. Service Courts. The
service courts are the areas on either side of the centerline, bounded by the
non-volley line and the baseline.
2.C. Net Specifications.
2.C.1. Material. The
net may be made of any open, meshed fabric material.
2.C.2. Net Size. The
net length shall be at least 20 feet (6.1 m) extending from one sideline to the
other. The net width shall be at least 2½ feet (0.8 m).
2.C.3. Mesh Size. The
net’s mesh size must be sufficiently small to prevent a ball from passing
through it.
2.C.4. Height. The
net shall be suspended over the center of the court and shall be 36 inches
(0.914 m) high at the sidelines and 34 inches (0.86 m) high at the center of
the court.
2.C.5. Center Strap. A
center strap may be placed at the center of the net to enable easy adjustment
to the 34 in. (0.86 m) requirement at center.
2.C.6. Net Edge. The
top of the net should be edged with a 2 inch (5.1 cm) white binding over a cord
or cable running through the binding. This binding must rest upon the cord or
cable.
2.C.7. Posts. Net posts
should be placed outside the sidelines. Recommended height of the post is 36
inches (0.914 m) and recommended placement is 12 inches (30.48 cm) from the
sideline.
Figure
2-2. The Ball.
The ball pictured on the left of Figure 2-2
is customarily used for indoor play and the ball pictured on the right is
customarily used for outdoor play. However, either ball is acceptable for
indoor or outdoor play.
2.D. Ball Specifications.
2.D.1. Construction. The standard ball shall
be made of durable plastic material molded with a smooth surface and free of
texturing.
2.D.2. Size. The official
ball shall be 2 7/8 inches (7.3 cm) to
3 inches (7.62 cm) in diameter.
2.D.3. Weight. The ball shall weigh between
0.8 and 1.02 oz (21 and 29 grams).
2.D.4. Design. Spacing of holes and overall
design of the ball must conform to the straight flight characteristics required
for play. Balls that fly or bounce erratically shall not be used.
2.D.5. Approval. The Tournament Director will
choose the tournament ball. Balls approved for play in any USAPA sanctioned
tournament must be named on the official USAPA list of approved balls.
2.E. Paddle Specifications.
2.E.1. Material. The paddle may be made of
any material judged safe.
2.E.2. Surface. The paddle playing surface
shall not contain holes, indentations, rough texturing, tape, or any objects or
features that allow a player to impart additional or increased spin on the
ball.
2.E.2.a. Paint. The surface may be painted but
must otherwise adhere to the general surface requirements.
2.E.2.b. Depictions. Any writing or pictures
on the paddle must be in good taste.
2.E.3. Size. The combined length and width including any edge
guard and butt cap shall not exceed 23¾ inches (60.3 cm). The most common paddle measurement is
approximately 8 inches (20.32 cm) wide by 15¾ inches (40 cm) long. There is no
restriction on paddle thickness.
2.E.4. Weight. There is no restriction on
paddle weight.
2.E.5. Alterations. Homemade or modified
paddles are acceptable so long as they meet the size and surface
specifications.
2.E.6. Violation. If a paddle violates the
above rules, the Tournament Director has the authority to enforce a paddle
change. If the player in violation refuses to change the paddle, the Director
may declare a forfeiture of the match.
2.F. Clothing.
2.F.1. Color. Clothing may be of any color.
2.F.2. Safety/Distraction. A player may be
required to change wet, extremely loose- fitting, or otherwise distracting
garments.
2.F.3. Depictions. Insignias, pictures, and
writing on the clothing must be in good taste.
2.F.4. Shoes. Shoes must have soles that do
not mark or damage the court's playing surface.
2.F.5. Violation. If a player's clothing
violates these rules, the Tournament Director has the authority to enforce
clothing changes. If the player refuses, the Director may declare a forfeiture
of the match.
Section 3 – Definitions
Revised 11/01/07
3.A. Carry – Hitting the ball in such a way that
it does not bounce away from the paddle but tends to be carried along on the
face of the paddle during its forward motion.
3.B. Cross-court – The court diagonally opposite
your court.
3.C. Dead Ball – A dead ball is declared after a
fault. See fault.
3.D. Dink Shot – A soft shot that is intended to arc
over the net and land within the non-volley zone.
3.E. Double Bounce – A ball that bounces more
than once, on one side, before it is returned.
3.F. Double Hit – One side hitting the ball twice
before it is returned over net. Double hits may occur by one player or could
involve both players on a team.
3.G. Drop Shot – A groundstroke shot that falls
short of the opponent's position.
3.H. Drop Shot Volley – A volley shot that is
designed to “kill” the speed of the ball and return it short, near the net, to
an opponent positioned at or near the baseline. This shot is especially
effective when initiated close to the non-volley line.
3.I. Fault – A fault is any action that stops
play or creates a rules violation.
3.J. Groundstroke – Hitting the ball after one
bounce.
3.K. Half Volley – A groundstroke shot where the
paddle contacts the ball immediately after it bounces from the court and before
the ball rises to its potential height.
3.L. Hinder – Any element or occurrence that
affects play. Examples: a stray ball that enters the court or people who
disrupt play by walking across the court.
3.M. Let – A
serve that hits the net cord and lands in the service court. Let may also refer
to a rally that must be replayed for any reason.
3.N. Lob – A shot that returns the ball as high
and deep as possible, forcing the opposing side back to the baseline.
3.O. Non-Volley Zone – The section of court
adjacent to the net in which you cannot volley the ball. It includes all lines
surrounding the zone.
3.P. One Hand Out – A term used to describe the
condition when a serving team loses the first of its two allocated serves.
3.Q. Overhead Slam/Smash – A hard, overhand shot
usually resulting from an opponent’s lob, high return, or high bounce.
3.R. Passing Shot – A volley or groundstroke shot
that is aimed at a distance from the player and is designed to prevent return
of the ball (e.g., a line drive close to sideline).
3.S. Permanent Object – Any object near the court
or hanging over the court that interferes with the flight of the ball.
3.T. Rally – Continuous play that occurs after
the serve and before a fault.
3.U. Replays – Any rallies that are replayed for
any reason without the awarding of a point or a side out.
3.V. Service
Court – The areas on either side of the
centerline, bounded by the non-volley line and the baseline.
3.W. Side Out – Declared after one side loses its
service and other side is awarded service.
3.X. Technical Foul – The referee is empowered to
add one point to a player's score or a team's score when, in the referee's
judgment, the opponent is being overly and deliberately abusive.
3.Y. Volley – Hitting the ball in the air, during
a rally, before the ball has a chance to bounce onto the court.
Section 4 – Service Rules
Revised 5/1/08
4.A. Serve Motion. The serve must be made
with an underhand stroke so that contact with the ball is made below waist
level.
4.A.1. Underhand Defined.
The arm must be moving in an upward arc and the paddle head shall be below the
wrist when it strikes the ball.
4.B. Server Position. The server must keep
both feet behind the baseline during the serve with at least one foot on the
court surface or ground at the time the ball is struck. The serve must be made
while the server’s feet are within the confines of the serving area. These
confines lie behind the serving court baseline and on or between the imaginary
lines extended from the court centerline and each sideline.
4.C. The Serve. The ball must be struck
before it hits the court surface. The ball must land in the opponent’s crosscourt (diagonally
opposite court) service court.
4.C.1. Placement. The serve must clear the
net and the non-volley line and land in the opponent’s service court. The serve
may land on any service court line except the non-volley line.
4.C.2. Interference. If the serve clears the net and the receiver or the receiver’s partner
interferes with the flight of the ball on the serve, it is a point for the
serving team.
4.D. Service Foot Fault. During the serve,
when the ball is struck, the server’s feet shall not:
4.D.1.
Touch the area outside the imaginary extension of the sideline.
4.D.2.
Touch the area outside the imaginary extension of the centerline.
4.D.3.
Touch the court, including the baseline.
4.E. Service
Faults. During the service, it is a fault if:
4.E.1. The server misses the ball when trying to hit
it. If the ball lands on the ground
without the server swinging at the ball, it is not a fault.
4.E.2. The served ball touches any permanent object
before it hits the ground. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls,
fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, the stands and seats for spectators, the
referee, line judges, spectators (when in their recognized positions) and all
other objects around and above the court.
4.E.3. The served ball touches the server or server’s
partner, or anything the server or server’s partner is wearing or holding.
4.E.4. The served ball lands on the non-volley line.
4.E.5. The
served ball hits the net and lands on the non-volley line or inside the non-volley
zone.
4.E.6. The
served ball lands outside the service court.
4.E.7. The
served ball hits the net and lands outside the service court.
4.F.
Service Lets. The serve is a let
and will be replayed if:
4.F.1.
The serve touches the net, strap, or
band, and is otherwise good and lands in the service court.
4.F.2.
The ball is served when the receiver is
not ready.
4.F.3.
The served ball hits the net and strikes the receiver or the receiver's partner.
4.F.4. The referee or any player
calls a time out because an object (a ball, another court's player, a
spectator, etc.) causes a distraction by coming within the playing area.
4.F.5. The referee or a player
may call a let. If the serve is appealed to the referee and the referee clearly
saw that the serve did not touch the net, then a point is awarded to the
serving team.