Have you ever wanted to learn how to play pickleball? Palm Beach County has lots of Pickleball courts to practice on. Pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court (20’ x 44’).  The ball is served diagonally, starting with the right-hand service-square, and points can only be scored by the side that serves.Players on each side must let the ball bounce once before volleys are allowed, and there is a seven-foot no-volley zone on each side of the net, to prevent “spiking.” The server continues to serve, alternating service courts, until he or she faults. The first side scoring eleven points and leading by at least two points wins. Pickleball can be played with singles or doubles.

To volley means to hit a ball in the air without first letting it bounce. In Pickle-ball, this can only be done when the player’s feet are behind the non-volley zone line (seven feet behind the net). It is a fault if the player steps over the line on his volley follow-through.

 Serves are to be made diagonally, starting with the right-hand service-square and alternating each serve. The serve must clear the seven-foot non-volley-zone in front of the net and land in the diagonal service court. Serves should always be done underhand with the paddle below the waist, and the server must keep both feet behind the back line when serving. The ball should be hit into the air without being bounced. The serving side will continue to serve until the there is a fault on the service, at which point the service will be given to the opposing side. The Server must keep both feet behind the back line when serving. The service is made underhand with the paddle contacting the ball below the waist. The Server must hit the ball in the air on the serve.

A fault is committed when the ball: 

- Touches any part of the non-volley zone on the serve (including the line).

- Is hit out of bounds

- Does not clear the net

- Is volleyed from the non-volley zone

- Is volleyed before a bounce has occurred on each side

A team shall score a point only when serving. A player who is serving shall continue to do so until a fault is made by his/her team. If playing doubles, each player on a team shall keep serving until their team makes a fault, then the serve moves to the opposing team - this is called a Side Out. The game is played to 11 points; however, a team must win by 2 points.