Dimensions of the Pickleball Court Length: 13.41 meters Width: 6.10 meters Non-volley Zone (“kitchen”): 2.13 meters on each side of the net, across the full width Net Height: 86.4 cm at the center – 91.4 cm at the ends The court is divided into two halves, each containing two service areas (left and right) and a non-volley zone in front of the net called the "kitchen." This is one of the unique features of pickleball! Pickleball Service Service is a fundamental stroke in pickleball. It must follow several simple rules: The service is made diagonally, behind the baseline It must be hit below the waist, with an upward motion (underhand) Only one attempt is allowed (unless the ball touches the net but lands in the correct area, which is called a "let") The server must not touch the baseline before hitting the ball The Two-Bounce Rule To prevent attacks right from the service, pickleball enforces two mandatory bounces at the start of each rally: 1st bounce: the ball must bounce in the receiver's court 2nd bounce: the return must bounce in the server's court After these two bounces, play is free: volleys are allowed as long as they are performed outside the non-volley zone (“kitchen”). Non-volley Zone ("kitchen") No volleys are allowed in this zone (including the follow-through) You can only enter it after the ball has bounced The Score Only the team or player serving can score a point. Matches are played to 11 points, with a minimum 2-point lead required to win. In doubles, each team has two servers in turn: - The first player serves from the right side. - In case of a fault, the partner takes over. Only after both services are lost does the service go to the opposing team. With each point scored, servers switch sides (right ↔ left). This system allows each player to serve and keeps the games dynamic and strategic! The Progression of a Doubles Match Step 1: Start of the Match: One Serve The match begins with only one server for the first team. The player on the right serves diagonally. 👉 If the team loses the point, the service immediately goes to the opposing team. This is an exception only at the start of the match. Afterward, each team will have two servers per rotation. Step 2: Team A Serving Scores a Point Team A, which served, wins the rally. The service continues, but both players switch sides. The server remains the same (now serving from the left), while the receiver also switches sides. Step 2bis: Team A Serving Loses the Point → Service Immediately Passes to Opposing Team B As this is the start of the match, only one service attempt is granted to the first team (A). 👉 In case of a fault or lost point, the service immediately passes to the opposing team B. The service immediately goes to the opposing team (B). ⚠️ Later in the game, if a team has the service, both players will have the right to serve alternately, except at this specific moment at the beginning of the match. Step 3: The opposing team takes over the service → first server Team B takes the service for the first time. Since it is no longer the beginning of the match, both players will each have their turn to serve. 👉 The player positioned on the right (player 3) starts serving diagonally. ➡️ As long as Team B scores points, the same player continues to serve, alternating sides (right/left) after each point scored. ⚠️ If the team loses a point, the service goes to the second player of Team B (player 4). Step 4: End of rotation → the service goes back to Team A When both players of Team B (players 3 and 4) have lost their service, the service returns to Team A. Unlike the very beginning of the match, both players of Team A (players 1 and 2) now each have the right to their turn to serve. 👉 The player positioned on the right (player 1) starts serving diagonally. As long as he scores points, he continues to serve, alternating sides. 👉 If player 1 loses a point, the service goes to his partner (player 2). 👉 If player 2 also loses, the service then goes to Team B.
