Play
Rules & instructions
Recreational pickleball basics — scoring, serving, kitchen, faults — plus Toronto public-court etiquette. For quick Q&A, see the knowledge base.
Summary for recreational players on Courlo. Sanctioned tournaments follow governing-body rulebooks (e.g. USA Pickleball). When in doubt, agree on house rules before the first serve.
Objective
Win rallies to earn points; in doubles, serve diagonally and work with your partner to control the kitchen.
- Most recreational games are doubles on a court the size of a badminton doubles court with a lower net than tennis.
- Games are often played to 11 (win by 2) in casual play; confirm scoring style before you start.
- The non-volley zone (“kitchen”) prevents smashes at the net — see the kitchen section below.
Serving
Serve underhand with contact below the waist; the ball must land in the diagonal service court.
- Only one serve attempt per point in most casual rules unless you’re playing with let replays locally agreed.
- Both feet must be behind the baseline at contact (server foot faults are common beginner faults).
- The serve must clear the kitchen line on the fly — landing in the kitchen on a serve is a fault.
Double-bounce rule
After the serve, each side must let the ball bounce once before volleying — then volleys are allowed.
- Return of serve must bounce on the serving side before the server can volley.
- Receiving side must let the serve bounce before returning — then play opens up.
- This rule slows the net game and is central to recreational pickleball flow.
Kitchen (non-volley zone)
You cannot volley the ball while standing in the kitchen or touching the kitchen line.
- You may enter the kitchen to play a ball that has bounced.
- Momentum cannot carry you into the kitchen after a volley — that’s a fault.
- Kitchen faults are the most argued calls in casual play — call your own honestly.
Common faults
Ball out, net faults, kitchen violations, and double bounces end the rally.
- Ball lands outside lines, hits the net on serve (without crossing legally), or double-bounces on your side.
- Volleying from inside the kitchen, or failing the double-bounce sequence on serve/return.
- On drop-in courts, players often re-serve casually on lets — agree house rules first.
Toronto public-court etiquette
Rotation, share time, and gear norms on City and park courts — Courlo-verified patterns.
- Rotate about every 30 minutes when others are waiting (High Park and many drop-in pads).
- Bring BYO nets where documented; don’t assume tennis nets match pickleball height.
- Permit holders and posted park rules take precedence — read each court page before you go.
Rules knowledge articles
How does scoring work in casual pickleball?
Most drop-in games use side-out scoring to 11, win by 2; some groups use rally scoring — agree before the first serve.
What are the basic serving rules in pickleball?
Serves must be underhand with paddle contact below the waist, diagonally cross-court, clearing the kitchen on the fly.
What is the double-bounce rule?
After the serve, the ball must bounce once on each side before players may volley.
What is the kitchen (non-volley zone)?
The 7-foot zone on each side of the net where you cannot volley the ball.
What are common faults in pickleball?
Faults include balls hit out, net errors on serve, kitchen violations, and letting the ball double-bounce on your side.