Have you been invited to play a match at Pickleball Águilas but have no idea where to start? Don’t worry. One of the reasons this sport is so addictive is that its rules are logical and can be learned in the time it takes to drink a glass of water.
Here is the definitive summary so you can step onto the court at Isla del Fraile with total confidence.
1. The Serve: Always Underhand
Unlike tennis, where the serve is a power shot from over the head, in pickleball the serve is defensive and simply starts the point:
- You must hit the ball below waist level.
- The paddle motion must be from low to high.
- The serve is hit diagonally and must land in the opposite service court, past the “kitchen” line.
2. The Double Bounce Rule (Fundamental)
This is the rule that confuses beginners the most, but it’s the one that makes rallies long and fun.
- After the serve, the ball must bounce in the receiver’s court.
- The receiver returns it, and the ball must bounce again in the server’s court.
- From then on (after those two bounces), you can hit the ball in the air (volley) or let it bounce.
Summary: You cannot hit a volley right after the serve, nor right after the first return.
3. “The Kitchen” (Non-Volley Zone)
That 2.13-meter (7-foot) zone glued to the net is the most sacred place on the court.
- You cannot volley (hit without the ball bouncing) if your feet are inside the kitchen.
- You can enter the kitchen if the ball bounces inside it, but you must get out of it as soon as possible.
- This rule prevents taller players from staying glued to the net and “smashing” every ball.
4. How is the score kept?
In pickleball, only the team that is serving can score points. Matches are usually played to 11 points, winning by a margin of 2.
If you are playing doubles, you will hear that the score is announced as three numbers (for example: 4 - 2 - 1):
- 4: Points of the serving team.
- 2: Points of the receiving team.
- 1: Identifies whether it is the first or second server for the serving team.
Come try it out at Isla del Fraile!
Reading the rules is great, but pickleball is best learned by playing. On our courts in Águilas, the atmosphere is so friendly that there will always be someone happy to explain a doubt to you right in the middle of a point.
Ready for your first match? Book your court now and put into practice what you just learned. We guarantee that by the second set you’ll be an expert!
