Basic Rules Overview
The Serve
·
The serve must
be made underhand.· Paddle contact with the ball must be below the server’s waist (navel level).
· The serve is initiated with at least one foot behind the baseline; neither foot may contact the baseline or court until after the ball is struck.
· The serve is made diagonally crosscourt and must land within the confines of the opposite diagonal court.
· Only one serve attempt is allowed, except in the event of a let (the ball touches the net on the serve and lands on the proper service court; let serves are replayed).
Service Sequence
·
Both players on
the serving doubles team have the opportunity to serve and score points until
they commit a fault *(except for the first service sequence of each new game).· The first serve of each side-out is made from the right-hand court.
· If a point is scored, the server switches sides and the server initiates the next serve from the left-hand court.
· As subsequent points are scored, the server continues switching back and forth until a fault is committed and the first server loses the serve.
· When the first server loses the serve the partner then serves from their correct side of the court (except for the first service sequence of the game*).
· The second server continues serving until his team commits a fault and loses the serve to the opposing team.
· Once the service goes to the opposition (at side out), the first serve is from the right-hand court and both players on that team have the opportunity to serve and score points until their team commits two faults.
· In singles the server serves from the right-hand court when his or her score is even and from the left when the score is odd.
*At the beginning of each new game only one partner on
the serving team has the opportunity to serve before faulting, after which the
service passes to the receiving team.
Scoring
-
Points are scored only
by the serving team.
- Games are normally
played to 11 points, win by 2.
- Tournament games may be
to 15 or 21, win by 2.
- When the serving team’s
score is even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) the player who was the first server in
the game for that team will be in the right-side court when serving or
receiving; when odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) that player will be in the left-side
court when serving or receiving.
·
When the ball
is served, the receiving team must let it bounce before returning, and then the
serving team must let it bounce before returning, thus two bounces.
·
After the ball
has bounced once in each team’s court, both teams may either volley the ball
(hit the ball before it bounces) or play it off a bounce (ground stroke).· The double bounce rule eliminates the serve and volley advantage and extends rallies.
Non-Volley Zone
·
The non-volley
zone is the court area within 7 feet on both sides of the net.· Volleying is prohibited within the non-volley zone. This rule prevents players from executing smashes from a position within the zone.
· It is a fault if, when volleying a ball, the player steps on the non-volley zone, including the line and/or when the player’s momentum causes them or anything they are wearing or carrying to touch the non-volley zone including the associated lines.
· It is a fault if, after volleying, a player is carried by momentum into or touches the non-volley zone, even if the volleyed ball is declared dead before this happens.
· A player may legally be in the non-volley zone any time other than when volleying a ball.
· The non-volley zone is commonly referred to as “the kitchen.”
Line Calls
-
A ball contacting any
line, except the non-volley zone line on a serve, is considered “in.”
- A serve contacting the
non-volley zone line is short and a fault.
Faults
·
A fault is any
action that stops play because of a rule violation.· A fault by the receiving team results in a point for the serving team.
· A fault by the serving team results in the server’s loss of serve or side out.
· A fault occurs when:
-
A serve does not land within the confines of the receiving court
- The ball is volleyed before a bounce has occurred on each side
- The ball is hit out of bounds
- A ball is volleyed from the non-volley zone
- A ball bounces twice before being struck by the receiver
- A player, player’s clothing, or any part of a player’s paddle touches the net or the net post when the ball is in play
- There is a violation of a service rule
- A ball in play strikes a player or anything the player is wearing or carrying
- A ball in play strikes any permanent object before bouncing on the court
HOW TO WIN AT PICKLEBALL
1.
Perfect the serve. Be sure it is ALWAYS in.
2.
Return the serve at the receiver’s feet.
3.
Do not play balls headed for out of bounds
4.
Return fast shots defensively
5.
Let your partner take easy his/her easy forehand
shot
6.
Place the ball at your opponent’s feet when
possible
7.
Play at the Non-Volley Zone (kitchen) line
8.
Play high percentage shots down the middle
·
There is only one grip in Pickleball which is
the Continental grip.
·
Shake hands with your paddle with the paddle
face perpendicular to the ground
READY POSITION – “Paddle UP”
·
Paddle and elbow should be out in front of your
body with the non- dominant hand resting on the paddle face.
·
Feet are shoulder width apart
·
Weight is on your toes
·
Assume the ready position when your opponent’s
ball contacts the paddle.
THE SERVE
·
Use a bowling motion
·
Place on foot in front of the other with weight
on back foot
·
Point your paddle head toward the ground with
knees bent
·
Toss or drop the ball in front of your body
·
Step toward the target with your front shoulder
pointing at the target
·
Swing in an upward motion with the paddle below
the wrist and watch the ball contact your paddle below the waist
·
Follow through in the direction of the target
·
Step back behind the baseline in anticipation of
the return of service
RETURN OF SERVE
·
The safest return is deep and down the middle of
the court
·
The next best return is deep and to the backhand
side of your opponent keeping the ball well within the court
·
With Continental grip, ready the paddle back
into position with your left hand as a guide to keep the paddle level
·
Step toward the ball with our left foot to make
contact while pointing your shoulder toward your target spot
·
Your left hand is out in front of you for
balance
·
Watch the ball make paddle contact
·
Keep a firm wrist and pretend you’re hitting
through 4 balls in a row during your follow through toward your target spot
·
If hitting a low forehand shot, bend your knees
keeping your right knee as close to the ground as possible. Stay down all the
way through the shot
·
Return to the ready position.
BACKHAND GROUNDSTROKE
·
Run to the spot where the ball with be as close
to waist high as possible
·
Set your feet side by side (closed stance)
pointing your right shoulder at your target spot
·
Bend your
knees on low balls and stay down through the shot
·
Step with your front foot toward your target
·
Paddle face should be perpendicular to the
ground.
·
Contact
point is out in front of your front foot.
·
Keep a firm wrist, watch the ball hit your
paddle
·
Make a long follow through toward target spot
pretending you’re hitting through 4 balls in a row.
THE DINK
·
Stand just behind the “kitchen” line squarely
facing the net
·
Paddle is held high in the ready position out in
front of you
·
Allow the ball to bounce in the kitchen
·
Step into the kitchen with one foot and softly
hit the ball over the net so it lands in your opponent’s kitchen
·
Aim for your opponent’s feet or the middle of
the court
·
Immediately step back out of the kitchen and
return the paddle to the ready position
No comments:
Post a Comment