Pickleball – Fun, social and friendly.

• The server's arm must be moving in an upward arc when the ball is struck.
• Paddle contact with the ball must not be made above the waist level.
• The head of the paddle must not be above the highest part of the wrist at contact. 
• A 'drop serve' is also permitted in which case none of the elements above apply.
• At the time the ball is struck, the server's feet may not touch the court or outside the imaginary extension of the sideline or centerline and at least one foot must be behind the baseline on the playing surface or the ground behind the baseline.
• The serve is made diagonally crosscourt and mustland within the confines of the opposite diagonal court.
• Only one serve attempt is allowed per server. 
• If a serve hits the net, but still lands in the correct service court, play the point again. If the serve hits the net and does not land in the correct service court, it’s a fault.
• NO SPIN SERVES

• Both players on the serving doubles team have the opportunity to serve and score points until they commit a fault *(except for the first service sequence of each new game).
• The first serve of each side-out is made from the right-hand court.
• If a point is scored, the server switches sides and the server initiates the next serve from the left-hand court. 
• As subsequent points are scored, the server continues switching back and forth until a fault is committed and the first server loses the serve.
• When the first server loses the serve the partner then serves from their correct side of the court (except for the first service sequence of the game*).
• The second server continues serving until his team commits a fault and loses the serve to the opposing team.
• Once the service goes to the opposition (at side out), the first serve is from the right-hand court and both players on that team have the opportunity to serve and score points until their team commits two faults.
• In singles the server serves from the right-hand court when his or her score is even and from the left when the score is odd.

*At the beginning of each new game only one partner on the serving team has the opportunity to serve before faulting, after which the service passes to the receiving team.

• Points are scored only by the serving team.
• Games are normally played to 11 points, win by 2.
• Tournament games may be to 15 or 21, win by 2.
• When the serving team’s score is even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) the player who was the first server in the game for that team will be in the right-side court when serving or receiving; when odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) that player will be in the left-side court when serving or receiving

• When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce before returning, and then the serving
• team must let it bounce before returning, thus two bounces.
• After the ball has bounced once in each team’s court, both teams may either volley the ball (hit the
• ball before it bounces) or play it off a bounce (ground stroke).
• The two-bounce rule eliminates the serve and volley advantage and extends rallies.

• A ball contacting any line, except the non-volley zone line on a serve, is considered “in.”
• A serve contacting the non-volley zone line is short and a fault.

• The non-volley zone is the court area within 7 feet on both sides of the net. (KNOWN AS THE KITCHEN)
• Volleying is prohibited within the non-volley zone. This rule prevents players from executing smashes from a position within the zone.
• It is a fault if, when volleying a ball, the player steps on the non-volley zone, including the line and/or when the player’s momentum causes them or anything they are wearing or carrying to touch the non-volley zone including the associated lines.
• It is a fault if, after volleying, a player is carried by momentum into or touches the non-volley zone, even if the volleyed ball is declared dead before this happens.
• A player may legally be in the non-volley zone any time other than when volleying a ball.
• The non-volley zone is commonly referred to as “the kitchen.”

• A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation.
• A fault by the receiving team results in a point for the serving team.
• A fault by the serving team results in the server’s loss of serve or side out.
• A fault occurs when:
  • A serve does not land within the confines of the receiving court
  • The ball is hit into the net on the serve or any return
  • The ball is volleyed before a bounce has occurred on each side
  • The ball is hit out of bounds
  • A ball is volleyed from the non-volley zone
  • A ball bounces twice before being struck by the receiver
  • A player, player’s clothing, or any part of a player’s paddle touches the net or the net post when the ball is in play
  • There is a violation of a service rule
  • A ball in play strikes a player or anything the player is wearing or carrying
  • A ball in play strikes any permanent object before bouncing on the court

• Any fair method can be used to determine which player or team has first choice of side, service, or receive. (Example: Coin Flip)

This player is just starting to play pickleball and has no other sports background. Minimal understanding of rules of the game.

Skill Assessment for 2.0 Players.PDF

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This player has limited experience. Can sustain a short rally with players of equal ability. Basic ability to keep score.

Skill Assessment for 2.5 Players.PDF

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FOREHAND: Ability to hit a medium paced shot. Lacks directional intent and consistency.

BACKHAND: Avoids using a backhand. Lacks directional intent and consistency.

SERVE / RETURN: Able to hit a medium paced shot. Lacks depth, direction, and consistency.

DINK: Not able to consistently sustain a dink rally. Not yet developed the ability to control this shot.

3RD SHOT: Generally hits a medium paced ball with little direction.

VOLLEY: Able to hit a medium paced shot. Lacks direction/inconsistent.

STRATEGY: Understands fundamentals. Is learning proper court positioning. Knows the fundamental rules and can keep score and is now playing tournaments.

Skill Assessment for 3.0 Players.PDF​​​​​​​

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FOREHAND: Improved stroke development with moderate level of shot control.

BACKHAND: Learning stroke form and starting to develop consistency but will avoid if possible.

SERVE / RETURN: Consistently gets serve/return in play with limited ability to control depth.

DINK: Increased consistency, with limited ability to control height/depth. Sustains medium length rallies. Starting to understand variations of pace.

3RD SHOT: Developing the drop shot in a way to get to the net.

VOLLEY: Is able to volley medium paced shots thereby developing control.

STRATEGY: Moves quickly towards the non-volley zone (NVZ) when opportunity is there. Acknowledges difference between hard game and soft game and is starting to vary own game during recreation and tournament play. Can sustain short rallies. Is learning proper court positioning. Basic knowledge of stacking and understands situations where it can be effective.

Skill Assessment for 3.5 Players.PDF​​​​​​​

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FOREHAND: Consistently hits with depth and control. Is still perfecting shot selection and timing.

BACKHAND: Has improved stroke mechanics and has moderate success at hitting a backhand consistently.

SERVE / RETURN: Places a high majority of serves/returns with varying depth and speed.

DINK: Increased consistency with moderate ability to control height/depth. May end dink rally too soon due to lack of patience. Is beginning to understand difference between attackable balls and those that are not.

3RD SHOT: Selectively mixing up soft shots with power shots to create an advantage with inconsistent results.

VOLLEY: Able to volley a variety of shots at different speeds. Is developing consistency and control. Starting to understand the block/re-set volley.

STRATEGY: Aware of partner’s position on the court and is able to move as a team. Demonstrates ability to change direction in an offensive manner. Demonstrates a broad knowledge of the rules of the game. Has a moderate number of unforced errors per game. Solid understanding of stacking and when and how it could be used in match play. Beginning to identify opponents weaknesses and attempts to formulate game plan to attack weaknesses. Beginning to seek out more competitive play.

Skill Assessment for 4.0 Players.PDF

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FOREHAND: High level of consistency. Uses pace and depth to generate opponents’ error or set up next shot.

BACKHAND: Can effectively direct the ball with varying depth and paces with good consistency.

SERVE / RETURN: Serves with power, accuracy, and depth and can also vary the speed and spin of the serve.

DINK: Ability to place ball with high success at changing shot types while playing both consistently and with offensive intent. Recognizes and attempts to hit attackable dinks.

3RD SHOT: Consistently executes effective 3rd shot strategies that are not easily returned for advantage. Able to intentionally and consistently place the ball.

VOLLEY: Able to block hard volleys directed at them and can consistently drop them into the NVZ. Comfortable hitting swinging volleys. Hits overhead shots consistently, often as putaways.

STRATEGY: Has good footwork and moves laterally, backward, and forward well. Uses weight transfer for more efficient footwork. Able to change direction with ease. Very comfortable playing at the non-volley zone. Communicates and moves well with partner — easily “stacks” court positions. Understands strategy and can adjust style of play and game plan according to the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and court position. Limited number of unforced errors.

Skill Assessment for 4.5 Players.PDF​​​​​​​

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FOREHAND | BACKHAND | SERVE / RETURN: Hits all shot types at a high level of ability from both the forehand and backhand sides including: touch, spin, and pace with control to set up offensive situations. Has developed good touch from all court positions. Has developed a very high level of variety, depth, and pace of serves.

DINK: Mastered the dink and drop shots. Ability to move opponents with shot placements. Exhibits patience during rallies with the ability to create an opportunity to attack utilizing the dink. Increased ability to change the pace of dinks strategically.

3RD SHOT: Mastered the 3rd shot choices and strategies to create opportunities for winning points. Able to drop and drive ball from both the forehand and backhand side with high level of consistency.

VOLLEY: Able to block hard volleys directed at them and consistently drop them into the NVZ. Places overheads with ease for winners. Able to volley shots toward opponents feet consistently. Comfortable with swinging volley in both initiating and ability to attack back or neutralize return.

STRATEGY: Mastered pickleball strategies and can vary strategies and styles of play in competitive or tournament matches. Is successful at turning defensive shots into offensive shots. Has efficient footwork and effective use of weight transfer for improved quickness on the court. Easily and quickly adjusts style of play and game plan according to the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and court position. Rarely makes unforced errors.

Skill Assessment for 5.0 Players.PDF​​​​​​​

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This player is a top caliber player. Performance and tournament wins speak for this player’s ability to consistently perform at a high level.