Rules & scoring
Double-bounce rule
also called two-bounce rule
The serve and the return must each bounce before being struck. After that, players may volley.
Pickleball's two-bounce rule says: the serve must bounce in the receiver's court before the receiver hits it, and the return must bounce in the server's court before the server hits it. Only after these two bounces can either side volley.
The rule's purpose is to neutralize the serve-and-volley pattern that dominated early pickleball. Without it, the serving team could rush the kitchen and overwhelm the returner.
Related terms
Serve
The shot that puts the ball in play. Must be hit underhand, below the waist, and land diagonally in the receiver's service court.
Return
The shot that responds to the serve. Almost always hit deep to push the serving team away from the kitchen line.
Volley
Hitting the ball out of the air before it bounces. Legal everywhere except inside the non-volley zone.