Official Pickleball Rules 2025

Core Game Rules

• Games are played to 11 points (win by 2)
• Points can only be scored by the serving team
• Each side must play one bounce before volleys are allowed
• The serve must be made diagonally across court

Legal Serve Requirements

• Server must keep both feet behind the baseline
• The serve must be made with an underhand stroke
• Contact with the ball must be below waist level
• The serve must be made diagonally crosscourt

2025 Rule Updates

• Drop serves are now permanently allowed
• Chainsaw serves are prohibited
• Server must keep at least one foot on the ground during serve

Basic Scoring Rules

• Only serving team can score points
• Games are played to 11 points (win by 2)
• Tournament games may be played to 15 or 21

Doubles Scoring

In doubles, each side starts with a score of 0-0-2:

• First number: serving team's score
• Second number: receiving team's score
• Third number: server number (1 or 2)

Common Faults

• Hitting the ball into the net
• Hitting the ball out of bounds
• Violating the double-bounce rule
• Touching the non-volley zone while volleying
• Not clearing the non-volley zone on serve

Kitchen Rules

• No volleying while standing in the kitchen
• No touching the kitchen line while volleying
• Momentum cannot carry you into the kitchen after a volley
• You can enter the kitchen at any time to play a bounced ball

Line Call Rules

• A ball touching any part of the line is "in"
• Players make calls on their side of the court
• If uncertain, the ball should be called "in"
• Players may ask for line judge in tournament play

Doubles Specific Rules

• Both players must serve before side-out (except first serve)
• Players must maintain serving order throughout the game
• Partners alternate positions for each serve
• Wrong position errors must be called before serve

Tournament Rules

• Players must wear appropriate athletic attire
• Time-outs are limited to 1 minute
• Game breaks limited to 2 minutes
• Line judges required for medal matches