Court Size Matters
A pickleball court is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long.
The pickleball net is 36 inches high near the side posts and should be adjusted to be 34 inches high in the center.
The pickleball net is 36 inches high near the side posts and should be adjusted to be 34 inches high in the center.
Prohibited Distractions
Rule 3.A.6
Physical actions by a player that are "not common to the game" that, in the judgment of the referee, may interfere with the opponent's ability or concentration to hit the ball. Examples include, but are not limited to, making loud noises, stomping feet, waving the paddle in a distracting manner or otherwise interfering with the opponent's concentration or ability to hit the ball.
Physical actions by a player that are "not common to the game" that, in the judgment of the referee, may interfere with the opponent's ability or concentration to hit the ball. Examples include, but are not limited to, making loud noises, stomping feet, waving the paddle in a distracting manner or otherwise interfering with the opponent's concentration or ability to hit the ball.
Rule 11.J
Players may not distract an opponent when the opponent is about to play the ball.
Players may not distract an opponent when the opponent is about to play the ball.
Fault
Rule 3.A.11 A rules violation that results in a dead ball and the end of the rally.
Most rallies end with a fault. Examples of faults:
- An illegal serve is made.
- The serve bounces in the kitchen, touches the kitchen line, or does not bounce in the service area.
- A player on the serving team strikes the ball when receiving their opponent's return of serve before it bounces.
- The ball bounces out of bounds.
- The ball comes in illegal contact with another player.
- There is a kitchen violation.
- etc.
The Bounce Serve
Rule 4.A.8.b.
Before bouncing on the ground, the ball shall not be propelled (thrown) downward or tossed or hit upward with the paddle. Failure to drop the ball properly will result in a fault. There is no restriction on where the ball can land on the playing surface after it is dropped.
Rule 4.A.8.c.
If the drop serve is used, the ball may be struck with either a forehand or backhand motion.
Before bouncing on the ground, the ball shall not be propelled (thrown) downward or tossed or hit upward with the paddle. Failure to drop the ball properly will result in a fault. There is no restriction on where the ball can land on the playing surface after it is dropped.
Rule 4.A.8.c.
If the drop serve is used, the ball may be struck with either a forehand or backhand motion.
Partner Positions
Rule 4.B.7.
In doubles, there is no restriction on the position of the partner of the server and the partner of the receiver as long as they are on their respective team's side of the net. They can be positioned on or off the court!
In doubles, there is no restriction on the position of the partner of the server and the partner of the receiver as long as they are on their respective team's side of the net. They can be positioned on or off the court!
Kitchen Stuff
Rule 9.B and 9.C and 9.D
If a player hits a volley, and the momentum of the act of volleying the ball causes the player to make contact with the kitchen, it is a fault, even if the ball becomes dead before the player contacts the kitchen.
Prohibited contact with the kitchen includes any part of the player's body, their apparel, and their pickleball paddle.
A maneuver such as standing within the kitchen, jumping up to hit a volley, and then landing outside the non-volley zone is a fault.
If a player hits a volley, and the momentum of the act of volleying the ball causes the player to make contact with the kitchen, it is a fault, even if the ball becomes dead before the player contacts the kitchen.
Prohibited contact with the kitchen includes any part of the player's body, their apparel, and their pickleball paddle.
A maneuver such as standing within the kitchen, jumping up to hit a volley, and then landing outside the non-volley zone is a fault.
