Bentley University

 
 Basic Overview

• Played on a court similar to badminton (20 ft x 44 ft).
• Can be singles or doubles (doubles is most common).
• Uses a paddle and a perforated plastic ball.

 
 Objective

• Score points by winning rallies. Games are typically played to 11 points, win by 2 (sometimes 15 or 21 in tournaments).

 
Court Layout: Dana Center Back Gym Court lines
Baseline: back boundary line
Sidelines: side boundaries
Non-Volley Zone (NVZ): 7 feet from the net on each side — also called “the kitchen”
Centerline: divides service courts
 
Starting the Game

• A coin toss or similar determines first serve.
• Only the serving team can score points.
• First serve starts from the right-hand side.

 
 Serve Rules

• Must be underhand.
• Paddle contact must be below the server’s waist.
• Ball must be hit with an upward motion.
• Serve diagonally into the opposite service court.
• Both feet must be behind the baseline (not touching it) at contact.
• Drop serve is allowed (you can drop the ball and hit it after it bounces).

 
 Double Bounce Rule (Very Important)

• The serve must bounce once on the receiving side.
• The return must bounce once on the serving side.
• After these two bounces, players can volley (hit in the air) or play off the bounce.

 
Non-Volley Zone ("Kitchen") Rules

• You cannot volley (hit the ball in the air) while standing in the kitchen.
• You cannot step into the kitchen after a volley (momentum rule).
• You can enter the kitchen to hit a ball that has bounced.

 
Scoring Rules (Doubles)

• Score has 3 numbers:
   ? Server score – Receiver score – Server number (1 or 2)
• Example: 4–3–1
• Each team gets two servers per side, except at the beginning of the game (only one).
• Player's alternate serving until they lose a rally.

 
 Singles Scoring

• Only two numbers: server score – receiver score.
• Server serves from:
• Right side when score is even
• Left side when score is odd

 
Faults (Lose the Rally)
A fault occurs when

• Ball lands out of bounds
• Ball does not clear the net
• Volley is hit from the kitchen
• Ball is volleyed before the double bounce rule is satisfied
• Serve is illegal (incorrect motion, wrong position)
• Player or paddle touches the net

 
Server Rotation (Doubles)

• Both teammates serve before the serve goes to the other team.
• When the receiving team wins the rally, they gain the serve.

 
 Let Serves

• No lets in pickleball: If the serve hits the net and lands in the correct box, it is still in play.

 
Equipment Rules

• Paddles must be solid (no strings). Paddles and balls will be provided if you do not own one. Please ask the Intramural Staff on site.
• Proper shoes recommended

 
 Winning the Game

• First team to 11 points (win by 2) wins.
• Must score on your serve.

 
 Rules to Remember

• Stay out of the kitchen unless the ball bounces.
• Let the ball bounce twice at the start of each rally.
• Only serving team can score.