Objective:

The objective of pickleball is to score points by hitting a perforated plastic ball (similar to a wiffle ball) over the net and into the opponent's court, while following specific rules and regulations.

Equipment:

• Pickleball Paddle: Solid paddles made of wood, composite materials, or other approved materials.

• Pickleball: A perforated plastic ball, similar to a wiffle ball but slightly larger.

• Net: A net similar to a tennis net, but lowered to 34 inches at the center.

• Court: A badminton-sized court (20 feet wide and 44 feet long for doubles, with a non-volley zone), with boundary lines similar to those of a tennis court.
  

Gameplay:

1. Starting the Game:

   • The game begins with a serve, which is done underhand, diagonally across the court, starting from the right-hand side of the court.

2. Serve and Return:

   • The serving team must hit the ball diagonally across the net and into the opponent's service court.

   • The receiving team must let the ball bounce once before returning it.

   • After the serve, both teams can volley the ball (hit it before it bounces) or play it off the bounce.

3. Volley and Groundstroke:

   • Players can volley the ball (hit it before it bounces) as long as they are not in the non-volley zone (the area within 7 feet on either side of the net).

   • If the ball bounces inside the non-volley zone, players must let it bounce before hitting it.

4. Scoring Points:

   • Points are scored when the opposing team faults, such as hitting the ball out of bounds, into the net, or failing to return the ball properly.

   • A game is played to 11 points, and a team must win by at least two points.

5. Service Rotation:

   • The serving team rotates positions after each point is scored, with the server moving to the opposite side of the court.

6. Double Bounce Rule:

   • Each team must let the ball bounce once on each side of the net before volleying it.

   • After the two bounces, players can volley the ball before it bounces.
     

Winning the Game:

• The game is won by the first team to reach 11 points, with a margin of at least two points.
  

Additional Rules and Tips:

• Non-Volley Zone: Be mindful of the non-volley zone, especially when volleying near the net.

• Foot Faults: Avoid stepping on or over the baseline during the serve.

• Communication: Effective communication with your partner is crucial for success in doubles play.

• Practice: Regular practice improves skills and strategy.