Pickleball Festival - FAQS

Absolutely anyone. Pickleball is a great game for all ages – it is based more on control and reactions rather than just power and as it’s on a smaller court, doubles doesn’t require as much movement as other sports. [Pickleball England]

Serve

• Each point starts with an under-hand serve, from behind the back line which must be hit diagonally to the opposite square.
• The serve must clear the non-volley zone (including the non-volley line).
• A server gets 1 service attempt.
• If the server wins the point, they continue to serve and alternate sides.
• In doubles, both players get to serve regardless of whether they win their first point on serve.
• When the service is lost, then both players in the opposing pair get to be the server.

Play

• ‘Double Bounce Rule’ - Each team must play their first return shot off the bounce. It is only after the third short that the ball can either be volleyed or played off the bounce.
• Volleys - Players are only allowed to volley when their feet are behind the non-volley zone line. The point is lost if the volleyer’s momentum carries the player into the non-volley zone after volleying.

Scoring

• Pickleball is scored as a first to 11 points, with two clear points needed to win.
• A point can only be won by the serving team.