PICKLE-BALL RULES
1. Pickle-ball is played as either singles or doubles.
2. It takes 11 points to win a game; however there must be a two-point lead.
. SERVE: Puts the ball in play.
Must keep one foot behind the back line.
Must be underhand.
Must hit the ball in the air, not off a bounce.
Must be served diagonally cross court.
May not land in the non-volley zone.
Must bounce in the service box on the receiving team's side.
In singles, the server serves from right to right when the server's score is even (0, 2, 4, 6, etc.).
Server serves from left to left when the server's score is odd (1, 3, 5, etc.).
4. VOLLEY: to hit the ball in the air without a bounce. A volley must be done with player's feet BEHIND the non-volley zone line. He/she may not step over on the follow-through.
5. DOUBLE BOUNCE RULE: Each team must play the first shot off the bounce. The receiving team must let the serve bounce.
The serving team must let the return bounce.
6. After two bounces (one on each side), the ball may be hit in the air or after ONE bounce.
7. SCORING: a team scores only when serving. The same player serves as long as he/she scores points.
A. Hitting the ball out of bounds.
B. Not getting the ball over the net.
C. Hitting the net on the serve.
D. Stepping into the non-volley zone and volleying the ball.
E. Volleying the ball before it bounces once on each side of the net.
9. Lines are in bounds. A ball touching a line is good and in play.
10. SERVE RECEIVE: (the side that is not serving is the receiving side)
a. the receiving side must let the serve bounce.
b. in doubles, the same player may not receive two serves in a row.
STROKES:
Forehand -- a shot on the racquet side of the body with the palm of the hand facing the net.
Backhand -- a shot from the opposite side of the body with the racquet hand crossing the body and the back of the hand facing the net.
Volley -- a shot hit before the ball bounces.
Rally -- hitting the ball back and forth over the net.
Lob -- a shot hit over an opponent's head.
Smash -- a shot hit down and hard.
Drive -- a low, hard shot hit to the back of the court.
Ground stroke -- a hot hit off the bounce.
STRATEGIES:
Stay at the back line when receiving serve.
Stay at the back line after serving in order to hit the return off of one bounce.
In doubles, hit down the middle between the two players.
After the first two bounces take the net (but stay behind the non-volley line) and hit volleys and smashes.
DOUBLES PLAY
At the start of each new game, the 1st serving team is allowed only one fault before giving up the ball to the opponents. Thereafter both members of each team will serve and fault before the ball is turned over to the opposing team. When receiving team wins the serve, the player in the right hand court will always start play.
If a point is scored, players on the serving team switch courts and the same person serves again.
Use "rock, paper, scissors" to see who serves first.