Pickleball | Indian Pickleball Associiation

What is Pickleball?

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the world - and it’s not just a trend, it’s a movement. This engaging, social & easy-to-learn racquet sport mixes the best parts of tennis, badminton, and table tennis into one exciting game. Played with a lightweight paddle and a perforated plastic ball on a compact court, pickleball is built for quick rallies, clever shot placement, and nonstop fun.

Across the globe, the popularity of pickleball has surged. Countries like Canada, India, Australia, the UK, Spain, and Singapore have witnessed massive growth in participation, with new clubs, courts, and federations emerging every year. International governing bodies and world tours have formed, with professional players now competing globally. The Global Pickleball Federation (GPF) is helping unite countries under a shared set of standards and international events, further pushing the sport toward global recognition and inclusion in multisport platforms.

Why is pickleball growing so quickly? Because it’s incredibly accessible. Young kids, seniors, athletes, and even complete beginners can all play and enjoy the game within minutes of stepping on court. It’s low-impact on the body, requires minimal gear, and is equally fun as a casual or competitive activity. Beyond physical health, pickleball brings people together—building communities, friendships, and local events around a shared love for the game.

From local parks to professional arenas, pickleball has become a global phenomenon. Whether you’re in it for the laughs, the cardio, or the competition, one thing is clear: once you start playing, it’s hard to stop.

Pickleball Rules Explained

What you need to play

Court: The court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long—the same size for singles and doubles.
Net: The net is 36 inches high at the sides and dips to 34 inches in the middle.
Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone): This is a 7-foot zone on each side of the net where players cannot volley.
Paddle: Made of solid material like wood, graphite, or composite—no strings.
Ball: A plastic ball with holes, similar to a wiffle ball, and usually lighter than a tennis ball.

How the Game Works

The game starts with a serve, and players take turns hitting the ball back and forth over the net. Points are scored when the opponent fails to return the ball properly. The goal is to win rallies and reach the winning score first—usually 11 points (must win by 2).

Serving: How to Start the Game Right

Who Serves?

Doubles: Each team gets two serves (one per player) before giving up the serve to the other team - except at the beginning of the game, where only one player serves.
Singles: Each player serves until they lose a rally.

How to Serve

The serve must be underhand with the ball struck below the waist.
The paddle head must stay below the wrist at the moment of contact.
The server must stand behind the baseline and serve diagonally into the opponent's service box.
Both feet must be behind the baseline until the ball is struck.

Two Types of Serve

Standard Serve: Toss the ball slightly and hit it before it touches the ground.
Drop Serve: Let the ball drop from your hand (without throwing it) and hit it after it bounces once.

What Makes a Serve Illegal?

Hitting the ball above waist height.
Paddle is above the wrist at contact.
Stepping on or over the baseline before hitting the serve.
Ball lands outside the correct service box or in the kitchen.
In a drop serve, tossing or spinning the ball instead of just dropping it.

Scoring: How to Win Points

There are two main ways to keep score in pickleball: Traditional Scoring and Rally Scoring. Here's how they differ:

Traditional Scoring (Service Points)

In this system, only the serving team can score a point.
If the serving team wins the rally, they score a point and continue serving.
If the serving team loses the rally, it becomes a side-out and the serve passes to the other team.
This is the most commonly used system in official tournaments and competitive matches.
Games are usually played to 11 points, and players must win by 2 points.

Rally Scoring

With rally scoring, every rally results in a point, regardless of which team served.
Whether you're serving or receiving, if you win the rally, your team gets the point.
This method keeps the score moving faster and shortens the game duration.
It's commonly used in recreational games, league matches, or when playing with limited time.
Games are often played to 15 or 21 points, still requiring a 2-point margin to win.

Which One Should You Use?

If you're playing casually or with new players, rally scoring may be easier to follow and more exciting.
If you're training for tournaments or want a more traditional experience, stick with traditional scoring.

In summary, rally scoring offers a quicker pace and more dynamic gameplay, while traditional scoring emphasizes consistency and gives the serve more strategic value. Rally scoring speeds up the game, while traditional scoring gives the serving team an advantage.

The Double Bounce Rule

This rule ensures fairness and reduces aggressive serve-and-volley tactics:

After the serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce once before returning it.
Then the serving team must also let it bounce once before returning.
After this, players may volley (hit the ball before it bounces) if they are outside the kitchen.

The Kitchen: What You Can and Can't Do

The kitchen is the non-volley zone—a 7-foot rectangle on either side of the net.

You CANNOT:

Volley (hit the ball in the air) while standing in or on the line of the kitchen.
Step into the kitchen after volleying, even if your momentum carries you in.

You CAN:

Step into the kitchen to hit a ball after it has bounced.
Stand in the kitchen if you're not volleying.
This rule prevents unfair advantage from players standing too close to the net and smashing volleys.

Faults: What Counts as a Mistake

A fault ends the rally and gives the point (or serve) to the other team.

Common faults include:

Ball goes out of bounds.
Ball doesn’t clear the net.
Hitting a volley while in the kitchen.
Ball bounces twice before a player hits it.
Hitting a ceiling or other object (indoor courts).
Wrong server or serving from the wrong side of the court.

Line Calls: Is It In or Out?

A ball that touches any part of the line is considered in.
Exception: On a serve, if the ball touches the kitchen line, it is out.
Players make line calls on their own side of the court.
If you're unsure, give the benefit of the doubt to your opponent.

Time-Outs and Do-Overs

Each team is allowed 2 time-outs per game, lasting 1 minute each.
Let serves (ball hits net but lands in) are no longer replayed—they are considered in play.
A rally can be replayed if there’s an outside disturbance (like another ball on the court).

Singles vs. Doubles: What's Different

Singles

Player serves from the right side if their score is even, and from the left if it’s odd.
Only one server per turn.

Doubles

Two players on each team.
Each player gets a chance to serve before the other team gets the ball.
Teams switch sides only after scoring a point.

Player Behaviour

Pickleball is built on good sportsmanship:

Always respect your opponent and the referee.
No yelling, cursing, or disruptive behavior.
Make honest line calls and announce the score clearly before each serve.

Breaking the Rules

First minor infraction usually gets a warning.
Repeated or intentional rule-breaking can lead to point penalties or disqualification.

Pickleball Terms You Should Know

Volley: Hitting the ball before it bounces.
Groundstroke: Hitting the ball after one bounce.
Kitchen: Non-volley zone near the net.
Drop Serve: Serving by dropping the ball and hitting it after a bounce.
Side-Out: Losing the serve to the other team.
Dink: A soft shot into the kitchen, forcing the opponent forward.

Adaptions for India

Local Variations: Any adaptations or variations to the standard rules to accommodate local conditions, such as court availability or regional playing styles.

Safety Guidelines

Injury Prevention: Tips and guidelines for preventing injuries, including warm-up routines and safe play practices.
Emergency Procedures: Protocols for handling injuries or emergencies on the court.