Top 5 Pickleball Rules Every Beginner Breaks (and How to Fix Them)
tl;dr: If you’re new to pickleball, you’ll probably break a few rules—but knowing the top 5 beginner mistakes (double bounce, kitchen faults, serving errors, out balls, and scoring confusion) will save you headaches and side-eye from seasoned players.
Intro: Welcome to the Club of Rule-Breakers
If you’re brand new to pickleball—first of all, welcome. Second of all, congratulations. Because you, my friend, are about to break some rules. Don’t worry, it’s not your fault. Every beginner does it. Even the guy at your local rec center who now insists he “almost went pro.”
The good news? Once you know the five rules that trip up almost every beginner, you’ll save yourself a lot of confused looks, awkward replays, and maybe even a few side-eye glares from pickleball purists. Let’s break down the top 5 pickleball rules every beginner breaks—and how you can master them before your first club signup.
Rule #1: The Double Bounce Rule
What it is: After the serve, the ball has to bounce once on each side before anyone can volley (hit it out of the air). That’s why it’s called the double bounce rule.
Why beginners break it: In the heat of the moment, you see that juicy return and—smash! Oops. You volleyed before the bounce. That’s a fault.
How to remember it: Think: “Serve, bounce, bounce, THEN smash.” Simple mantra. Say it in your head until it sticks. Bonus points if you mutter it aloud—it makes you sound like a wise pickleball monk.
Rule #2: Kitchen Violations (The Non-Volley Zone)
What it is: The “kitchen” (aka the non-volley zone) is the 7-foot area on either side of the net. You can go in the kitchen, but you can’t hit a volley while standing in it or stepping on the line.
Why beginners break it: Because the kitchen feels like a trap. You step in accidentally, you lean too far, or you forget your toe grazed the line. Boom. Fault.
How to remember it: Pretend the kitchen is lava. If the ball is in the air, stay out. If it bounces, you’re free to go in and dink away. (And yes, you will definitely hear seasoned players yell “Stay out of the kitchen!” like it’s a bad sitcom punchline.)
Rule #3: Serving Rules (Foot Faults & Wrong Side Chaos)
What it is: The serve has to be underhand, with contact below the waist, and your feet can’t cross the baseline before you hit the ball. Also, you must serve diagonally, starting on the right side when your score is even, and left side when odd.
Why beginners break it: Foot over the line. Serving from the wrong side. Forgetting the underhand motion and sneaking in a “tennis serve.” All rookie moves.
How to remember it:
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Footwork tip: Keep both feet behind the line until the ball leaves your paddle.
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Side rule tip: Even score = right side. Odd score = left side. Easy math.
Rule #4: Out Balls (AKA “Playing Everything Like It’s the Championship Point”)
What it is: If the ball lands outside the lines (or doesn’t touch the line), it’s out. You don’t have to play it.
Why beginners break it: New players chase every single ball like it’s life or death. But if you hit a ball that was going out, guess what? You just gave your opponent a free point.
How to remember it: Trust your instincts and your partner. If a ball is clearly sailing long, let it go. Worst case, you lose a rally. Best case, you look like a pickleball genius.
Rule #5: Scoring Confusion (Especially Calling the Score)
What it is: Pickleball uses rally serving rules—only the serving team can score, and the score is called as three numbers: server’s score, opponent’s score, and server number (1 or 2).
Why beginners break it: Because calling “4-3-2” feels like reciting a launch code. Also, mid-rally scoring math is not everyone’s strong suit.
How to remember it: Always call the score before you serve. If you’re confused, ask your partner or reset the rally. Most rec players are forgiving—as long as you at least try to call the score.
Wrapping It Up: Break Rules, Not Friendships
Breaking these rules is practically a rite of passage in pickleball. But now that you know the five most common beginner mistakes, you’ll look (and play) way more confident when you join that rec league or club play. Remember: every pro started as the confused newbie who thought “double bounce” was just a dance move.
So grab your paddle, own your mistakes, and share this with your soon-to-be pickleball friends. (Bonus: you’ll look like the seasoned veteran of your group.)
FAQs: Pickleball Beginner Mistakes
Q: What is the double bounce rule in pickleball?
A: The ball must bounce once on each side before anyone can hit it in the air. Serve → bounce → bounce → then volleys are allowed.
Q: Can you step in the kitchen after hitting the ball?
A: Yes, as long as the ball bounced first. You can never volley (hit it out of the air) while in the kitchen or touching the line.
Q: How do you know which side to serve from in pickleball?
A: If your score is even, serve from the right. If it’s odd, serve from the left.
Q: Do you get a redo if you mess up the score in pickleball?
A: Not exactly, but most rec games will allow a quick reset if everyone agrees.u Always call the score before serving.
Q: What are the most common beginner mistakes in pickleball?
A: Violating the double bounce rule, stepping in the kitchen, serving incorrectly, playing out balls, and scoring errors.
Ready to play like you didn’t just Google “pickleball rules beginners break”? Grab your paddle, invite a friend, and hit the courts. And if you want gear, guides, and plenty of pickleball wit—stick with JKPickleball. We’ve got you covered.