Fri, Jul 4, 2025
Read in 4 minutes
First, What Even Is Pickleball?
Pickleball is the sweet spot between tennis, ping pong, and badminton.
It’s played on a smaller court, but the action is nonstop.You use a solid paddle and a wiffle-style ball (yes, the one with holes).Play one-on-one or team up for doubles, either way, you’ll be hooked fast.It’s simple enough to enjoy on day one, but deep enough to keep you improving for years.
Court Layout: Know Your Zones
Before scoring points, know where to stand.
- Court size: 20x44 ft (yes, same for singles and doubles)
- Net height: 36” sides, 34” center
- Kitchen = non-volley zone (7 ft from the net)
- Two service areas: left & right
Pro tip: Don’t step in the kitchen unless the ball bounces. More on that soon.
Basic Pickleball Rules
1. Serving
- Underhand only, paddle below the waist
- One shot, no second chances
- Serve diagonally across the court.
- Servers rotate in doubles before switching sides.
No, you can’t smash a tennis-style serve. Yes, we’ve all tried.
2. Scoring
- Only the serving team scores
- Games go to 11 (win by 2)
- In doubles:
Score is called like this: 5-3-2
(You: 5, Them: 3, You’re the 2nd server)
3. Double Bounce Rule
The ball must bounce once on each side before you can start smashing volleys.
Why? Because chaos needs boundaries.
4. The Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone)
- No volleys allowed inside the kitchen
- Step in if the ball bounces, but volley from there? That’s a fault
- Even touching the kitchen line while volleying = point gone
5. Common Faults
- The ball goes out of bounds
- The ball hits the net
- You volley in the kitchen
- Double hits or paddle carries
- You step on the baseline while serving
Doubles vs. Singles: What Changes?
Doubles
In doubles, both players on a team get a chance to serve before the serve switches sides. After one player loses their serve, the second takes over - then it goes to the opposing team. The only exception is at the start of the game, where the first team only gets one server.
Singles
Singles is simpler - one server, one returner. You serve from the right when your score is even, and from the left when it’s odd. No teammate to back you up, so you’re covering the full court yourself.
FAQs
Q: What if the ball hits the line?
A: If any part of the ball touches the line, it’s considered in. Even if it’s just a hair. So unless it’s clearly out, keep playing. When in doubt? Give the benefit of the doubt.
Q: Can I serve overhand?
A: Nope. Pickleball serves must be underhand, with the paddle contacting the ball below your waist and your wrist staying above the paddle head. Think smooth and controlled - not cricket bowler mode.
Q: What’s a let serve?
A: A let serve happens when your serve hits the net but still lands in the correct diagonal service box. In casual games, just replay it. In tournaments, depending on the format, some rules now count it as live - so check with your host before serving.
Q: Can I play off the net post?
A: No. If the ball hits the net post or anything outside the court boundary (like fencing or a bench), it’s out - even if it bounces back in. You’ve got to keep it clean and inside the lines.
Q: Are there timeouts?
A: Yes. Most games allow each team one or two timeouts per game, typically 60 seconds each. Use them to catch your breath, regroup, or throw off your opponent’s rhythm (we won’t judge).
Learn the Rules Where It Matters , On Court
At Pickleball Qube in Mohali, we make rules simple and fun to learn. Whether you’re showing up solo or with friends, our court sessions include:
- Beginner-friendly open play
- Quick guidance from experienced players
- Real match experience ,without the pressure
Ready to Play (and Not Just Read)?
→ Book a court→ Pickleball Qube Homepage→ Follow us on Instagram
Knowing the rules makes the game more fun.
Playing at Pickleball Qube makes it unforgettable.