Pickleball is quickly becoming the go-to sport for all ages thanks to its fast pace, fun vibes, and social nature. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or gearing up for your first Beginner Pickleball tournament, knowing the rules can mean the difference between winning a point and losing one due to a simple technicality.
Surprisingly, even seasoned players forget some of the lesser-known rules. So today, we’re serving up (pun intended) the top 10 forgotten pickleball rules that you should absolutely keep in your back pocket.
1.You Can’t Step in the Kitchen—Even After the Ball is Dead
Let’s start with the infamous Non-Volley Zone (a.k.a. “The Kitchen”). Most players know you can’t volley in the kitchen. But did you know you can’t step into it—even after you’ve hit the ball—if your momentum carries you forward?
What it means: If you volley and then your motion causes you to step into the kitchen—even one second later—that’s a fault.
Pro tip: Get into the habit of maintaining balance and landing behind the line.
2. Double-Bounce Rule Still Trips People Up
Yes, this one gets even the best of us. The double-bounce rule means that:
- The receiving team must let the serve bounce once before returning it.
- The serving team must also let the return bounce once before hitting it.
Only after those two bounces can the volley game begin.
Why it matters: Rushing the net too early can result in an illegal volley and lost point. Master the bounce rhythm!
3. The Ball Must Land Inside the Lines—Not On the Line
This one’s controversial because many players believe the line counts. The truth? It depends.
- On serves, the ball cannot touch the non-volley zone line (the kitchen line). If it does, it’s a fault.
- For regular play, a ball landing on any line is in—except that serve onto the kitchen line.
Remember: The line is friendly—except when it comes to serving.
4. Server Positioning: Be Precise!
Here’s a sneaky rule: You must serve from the correct side based on your score.
- Even scores = right side of the court
- Odd scores = left side
This might seem obvious, but during fast-paced games, players often get caught on the wrong side, serving illegally.
Fix it fast: Always call out the score and pause to position yourself before serving.
5. You Only Have 10 Seconds to Serve
Once the score is called, the server has 10 seconds to hit the ball. If you wait too long, it’s a fault.
This rule is especially relevant in more competitive environments or during Pickleball reservations when courts are booked and time is limited.
Be quick, but don’t rush your serve. Practice your serve routine to get comfortable with the time frame.
6. Paddle Contact Below the Waist Only
Did you know that your paddle must make contact with the ball below your waist on a serve? It’s one of those rules people tend to overlook—especially when trying to get extra power.
Also, the paddle’s highest point must be below your wrist during contact. It’s all about keeping the serve legal and fair.
Tip: Video yourself serving. You might be surprised how often your form creeps upward.
7. Don’t Touch the Net—Ever
This seems like a no-brainer, but it happens more often than you’d think, especially in aggressive rallies.
If your paddle, body, or clothing touches the net—even after the ball is dead—it’s your fault.
Hot take: Many disputes start here. When in doubt, replay the point if it wasn’t clear.
8. No Spinning the Serve with Both Hands
The spin serve has been a hot topic in pickleball. As of recent rule updates, you can’t use both hands or manipulate the ball with your fingers to add spin before serving.
What’s legal: You can drop the ball and let gravity do the work. But anything beyond a simple drop could lead to a fault serve.
Heads-up: If you’ve got a tricky spin serve in your arsenal, check the latest rulebook to ensure it’s still allowed.
9. Calling “Out” Balls
Only the team on the side where the ball lands can make the out call. If the ball lands on your side and it’s close, you must call it out loud and clearly—and immediately.
If you’re not sure? The ball is in. Benefit of the doubt always goes to your opponent.
Sportsmanship counts. Unclear or late calls can result in replayed points or worse—tension between players.
10. You Can’t Replay Serves for “Let” Anymore
Previously, if the ball hit the net but landed legally in the service box, it was called a “let,” and you’d replay the serve. Not anymore!
New rule: There are no more lets on serves. If the ball hits the net and still lands legally—play on.
Why it matters: Players still instinctively stop after a let serve. Stay alert and keep the rally alive.
Final Serve: Why These Rules Matter
Pickleball isn’t just about killer dinks and quick reflexes. The beauty of the sport lies in its structure and rhythm. And forgetting or misapplying these “small” rules can cost you big time—especially in Beginner Pickleball tournaments, where officials are often strict to promote learning and fairness.
Bonus Tip: Reserve, Practice, Repeat
Mastering the game means practicing often—and playing with players better than you. Consider making regular Pickleball reservations at your local courts to keep refining your skills and rule knowledge in a real-game setting.
Not only will this help you remember the rules, but it will also boost your confidence, improve your gameplay, and make you tournament-ready.
In Conclusion
Let’s face it—pickleball is fun, addictive, and a little quirky. But if you want to play like a pro (or just avoid those awkward rule disagreements), keep these 10 must-know rules in mind.
Whether you’re competing or just playing for fun, playing smart is just as important as playing hard.
So next time you step on the court, don’t just bring your paddle—bring your knowledge.
Like this post? Share it with your pickleball crew and challenge them to a rule check-up match!
Have any other forgotten rules you think should make the list? Drop them in the comments below!