2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook

 Click below to get the 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook.

PICKLE-BALL TASK CARD and ASSESSMENT FORM

Here is a sample copy of the handouts that we use for our Pickle-Ball Unit.

Pickle-Ball Task Card 

Pickle-Ball Assessment Form 

As always, email me [tsuarez@musd.org] if you have any questions/concerns/suggestions.

How To Play Pickleball

How To Play Pickleball

Intro & Definitions

Serving & Scoring

Rules and Gameplay

Video Credit To Pure Pickleball.

How To Play Pickleball Basic Overview Pickle-ball® is played on a badminton-sized court: 20’ x 44.’ The ball is served diagonally (starting with the right-hand service-square), and points can only be scored by the side that serves. Players on each side must let the ball bounce once before volleys are allowed, and there is a seven-foot no-volley zone on each side of the net, to prevent “spiking.” The server continues to serve, alternating service courts, until he or she faults. The first side scoring eleven points and leading by at least two points wins. Pickle-ball® can be played with singles or doubles. The Pickleball Serve Serves are to be made diagonally, starting with the right-hand service-square and alternating each serve. The serve must clear the seven-foot non-volley-zone in front of the net and land in the diagonal service court. Serves should always be done underhand with the paddle below the waist, and the server must keep both feet behind the back line when serving. The ball should be hit into the air without being bounced. The serving side will continue to serve until the there is a fault on the service, at which point the service will be given to the opposing side. (However, if the ball touches the net but still lands within the appropriate service court, the serve may be taken over.) The Server must keep both feet behind the back line when serving. The service is made underhand with the paddle contacting the ball below the waist. The Server must hit the ball in the air on the serve. The Server is NOT allowed to bounce the ball and hit it off the bounce. The service is made diagonally cross court and must clear the non-volley zone, including the line (A serve that hits the non-volley zone line is out) Only one serve attempt is allowed, except if the ball touches the net on the serve and lands in the proper service court,in this case the serve may be taken over. 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 the receiving team wins the serve, the player in the right hand court will always start play. Volleys To volley means to hit a ball in the air without first letting it bounce. In Pickle-ball®, this can only be done when the player’s feet are behind the non-volley zone line (seven feet behind the net). Note: Is is a fault if the player steps over the line on his volley follow-through Double-Bounce Rule Also called the Two Bounce Rule, each team must play their first shot off of the bounce. That is, the receiving team must let the serve bounce and the serving team must let the return of the serve bounce before playing it. Once these two bounces have occurred, the ball can either be volleyed or played off the bounce. Fault A fault is committed when the ball: Touches any part of the non-volley zone on the serve (including the line). Is hit out of bounds Does not clear the net Is volleyed from the non-volley zone Is volleyed before a bounce has occurred on each side Scoring A team shall score a point only when serving. A player who is serving shall continue to do so until a fault is made by his/her team. If playing doubles, each player on a team shall keep serving until their team makes a fault, then the serve moves to the opposing team - this is called a Side Out. The game is played to 11 points, however a team must win by 2 points. Player Position for Doubles At Start Of Game Double Play Positioning Movements In Image A below, you can see that Server (player 1) serves from the right hand side of the serving team's court diagonally across court to the Receiver (player 3)in the opposite right hand side of the court. The receiver (player 3) must let the ball bounce before returning the serve. The serving team must also let the return bounce before playing it (the Double Bounce Rule). After two bounces have occurred, the ball may then be either volleyed or played off the bounce until a fault is made. In Image B below, you can see that after a fault is made by the receiving team, and a point is scored by the serving team, the serving team's players switch sides of court and the same player will continue to serve. When the serving team makes its first fault, the serving team's players will stay in the same side of the court, and the second partner will then serve. When they make their second fault, they will stay in their same court positions, and turn the ball over to the other team. Players switch sides of the court only after scoring.

Mr. Suarez's Class Pickle-Ball Court Dimensions

The Court

The dimensions of the standard pickleball court are:

• Court dimensions: The court dimensions are 6.1 m x 13.41 m for both doubles and singles play.
• Total Playing Surface: A total playing surface (court plus sideline/baseline space) of 10 m by 20 m is recommended. The minimum space recommended is 9.14 m by 18.28 m. The minimum recommended space around the court boundary lines is 3 m on each baseline and 2 m on each sideline to safely allow for player movement.
• Court Measurements: Court measurements shall be made to the outside of the lines. The lines should be 5 cm wide and the same color, clearly contrasting with the color of the playing surface.
• Net Height: The net height is 92 cm on each end of the net and 86 cm in the middle.

Lines and Areas

The lines and areas of the standard pickleball court are:

• Baselines: The baselines are the lines parallel to the net at each end of the court.
• Sidelines: The sidelines are the lines perpendicular to the net on each side of the court.
• 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 2.13 m from the net.
• Non-volley zone: The non-volley zone is the area of the court bounded by the two sidelines, the non-volley line, and the net. The non-volley line and the sidelines are included in the non-volley zone.
• Centerline: The centerline is the line on each side of the net bisecting the area between the non-volley line and the baseline.
  Service Courts: The service courts (service areas) are the areas on either side of the centerline, bounded by the non-volley line, the baseline, and the sideline. The service area is 3.05 m x 4.75 m.

OUR CLASS PICKLE-BALL RULES

Link to Video below:

PICKLE-BALL RULES SUMMARY AND VIDEO