The Rules of Pickleball - EXPLAINED!

Ninh explains - The Rules of Pickleball. A relatively new (and popular) racket sport that’s similar to Tennis, Badminton, Squash and Table Tennis. It’s a lot easier to learn and pick up, a lot less stressful on the body and is an accessible alternative to these traditional sports.
Specific to the International Federation of Pickleball rules, watch this short beginner’s tutorial video guide on how Pickleball is played, Pickleball rules, and how to play and watch pickleball. Learn about points, volley, two bounce rule, the kitchen, paddles, and more.
COMMENT, LIKE, RATE & SUBSCRIBE!!!
Also discuss on Reddit!
Video: Copyright PlayPickleball.com, US Open Pickleball CBS (I do not own video footage and claim fair use).
Images: Google (Various)
Music: ‘The Grid’ by Capcom
Narrated, Directed and Produced by Ninh Ly
Ninh Ly Website - www.ninh.co.uk
Find me on Facebook - / ninh.ly.31
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#pickleball #pickleballrules #pickleballtennis #ninhlyuk #rules #sports #sport

[@NinhLyUK]

So Pickleball has been requested on and off for years, but I only decided to make it now after realising that it's more popular I ever imagined. Cool way to get into other racket sports, or if you just want an easier to pick up sport to learn. Help me out by sharing this video where you can! More views = more content.

[@brownsupahero]

Waaaaahaa. You did it

[@davidhebert2045]

Thank you! I was one of your requesters and I am glad you made it.

[@johnmcdermott2551]

This is pure genius. All you have to do is get old badminton games at a distance and it’s pickleball! Brilliant. Then get rugby league and you got the new NFL!

[@m.a.4500]

the music is very loud and distracting in this video. Can you inform your video editor, thanks.

[@jacksonfromwisconsin2005]

Didn’t know this was a sport until my gym teacher told me it was. I thought it was a senior center activity

[@KenLowe65]

Great video, as I was looking for further information about Pickleball... but... I did laugh at closing comment: "Pickleball is literally that simple to understand, without all the complicated rules of the other sports"... after they took *five minutes* to explain those rules! I think racquetball, tennis and squash have less rules combined! hehehehehe

[@Classicrocker6119]

I’ve always been intrigued by this sport. Had no idea it was this interesting as well.

[@NinhLyUK]

Yeah, it's surprisingly fun to play. Easy to learn too.

[@michellem9392]

I played PB twice. It's about time that I learn HOW to play. Great video.

[@jonphang806]

Because of your channel I have learned so much about so many new sports! Thanks for making them and hoping to see new videos soon!

[@HowardEliteBasketball]

Great jodb!! You are literally teaching my team sports class!!

[@NinhLyUK]

Great to hear!

[@gonzaloromerogarcia3965]

Thank you for your videos, Ninh! They’re a fantastic teaching resource.

[@sngs9565]

Oh yes! About 58 countries are in Pickleball! Nice! Thank you for all your videos, Ninh! Learning something new always.

[@derickshackelford]

Great video! Thank you for taking time to make it! I'm going to pay pickle ball for the first time ever today.

[@mattadamsmarketing]

Great video! Concise and very informative for pickle ball rules! Thank you

[@ruthbartlett7686]

Thank you! This video finally explained the second serve rule clearly so I understood.

[@Mountaineer3615]

Thank you for coming around and finally making the video.

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks.

[@dominiccorr5697]

Thanks for all the great videos!! Nice Job!

[@michelemclindon5418]

Nicely done video. Informative and entertaining. Thanks for sharing.

[@davidhebert2045]

Some purpose-made pickleball courts were built right next to my local park tennis courts a few years ago. I had no idea what they were at first, but saw some people playing on them when I was walking around there. I had to ask the people playing "what is this thing you're playing?". "It's Pickleball!" they said, and I said "Pickle...what?"

[@liamcfc]

Amazing! I am always interested in weird sports and that’s why I love this channel.

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks Liam

[@josiahblair6413]

Thanks for the video, I appreciate it. God bless you and your family and friends too. I hope you have a wonderful day today. I have played a little bit of pickle ball but trying to learn more as I watch videos to understand the rules of the game. It is very complicated, but it has some challenges that I am willing to face but the more I do it the better I will the hang of it.

[@DanTheCaptain]

I've always been intrigued by Pickleball but never really looked into it by the notion of it being a sport only seniors play. Seeing other younger people play it and see professional play as well, makes me want to give it a go too.

[@KevinOnEarth_]

It’s definitely a game made for seniors and/or non athletic people. Obviously, anyone young and athletic can make it more “competitive” but the rules are inherently designed to minimize this via underhand serve, no volley (kitchen) zone and other physical elements like a perforated “wiffle” ball, smaller court etc. With a virtually zero learning curve, the only people I see playing this game in my neighborhood are uncoordinated children and seniors.

[@SunDogGod]

@@KevinOnEarth_ that’s what makes it fun, anyone can play so there are always people to play with. Football and baseball are sports you need a whole team to play with. The accessibility makes it fun

[@reila8297]

This is the best explanation on in the rules of pickleball that I have found. Clearly defined what the kitchen is and why. In fact I had actually been taught wrong and it makes more sense now.

[@joseppi4cinqua]

Except they’re wrong. I’m doubles only one person gets to serve to start the game.

[@gregoryhirsch4520]

Thank you for this! I just started playing, and this video is a big help!!

[@nickaube6934]

why are you still watching this, it was posted ages ago

[@braydenbrown379]

Interesting..., I have never herd of this sport in my life Awesome video ninh, I really enjoyed this :)

[@NinhLyUK]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks man.

[@YouWantPizzazz]

Thankyou for the helpful video!

[@rhett8247]

Love your videos man, always so interesting!

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks Rhett!

[@damrammy4681]

Your videos are pretty good. Keep up the good work!

[@elcheapofl]

Great video!

[@drago939393]

I researched this a few years, happy to see it getting more popular. Ultimately the sport will never be a huge commercial success as a professional sport, simply because while the main reason a sport becomes popular is that it's fun to play, it has to be conducive towards elite-level displays to become fun to watch. Anyone can play Pickleball - it's easier, less straining, and more forgiving than tennis/badminton/table tennis, while also being far, far more approachable and far, far less expensive to get into. However, that's also why you'll never see "a Roger Federer of Pickleball": there is not enough depth/nuance to the gameplay nor room for physical expression that a select 0.001% of the population can achieve. Basically: Pickleball looks like great fun and I do want to *play it*. It seems like an awesome way to spend time with friends (of all shapes and forms) in a competitive yet fun environment. But I can't envision myself or really anyone else wanting to *watch it*.

[@drago939393]

@@sqearly Yet it's all completely correct. 😃The reputation of the sport has only gone down since I left that comment. Americans are forcing it (what a shocker) and everyone within tennis is rightfully lambasting it.

[@jasonward3892]

Thank you for the explanation!

[@juliafernandes7191]

Really greatinfo thank you

[@AlbrechtAaron]

The Sound of the ball hitting the paddle is really cool

[@gustavinus]

or annoying

[@MrRaErickson]

Played today for the first time. Loved it

[@richardtickler8555]

i feel like loads of people try to make some cash with a variation on tennis selling you special rackets and balls

[@NinhLyUK]

Yeah, they did that alright ...

[@user-ln5vy7vq6s]

Thank you…straight to the point!

[@elizabethcampbell8262]

Fastest growing sport in America. Amazing!!

[@billjoe667781]

Taking a girl on a date to play and needed to learn the rules! This video was perfect!

[@noahlignell6510]

Another great video Ninh! Wishing you the best of luck on your ride to KZbin stardom.

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks. I hope so!

[@bangbangrogers2750]

Return of the king

[@NinhLyUK]

Thank you.

[@Splitwave23]

Been playing pickleball recently and it’s so fun

[@NinhLyUK]

It looks fun!

[@Fyrverk]

Great video, as always

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks again.

[@matthewlo7868]

Two videos in two weeks... Someone (namely you, good sir) is on FIRE right now! I’m gonna try my luck and ask.. DOES ANYONE IN THE COMMENTS SECTION WANNA SEE NINH EXPLAINS THE RULES OF SAVATE?!

[@NinhLyUK]

I'm trying dude.

[@SpitefulAZ]

I bet he will do most combat sports eventually.

[@matthewlo7868]

@@SpitefulAZ well.. he did: Boxing, Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Collegiate wrestling, judo, taekwondo, karate, BJJ, Muay Thai, MMA and now wushu just to name but a few!

[@ashkitt7719]

@@matthewlo7868 also Medieval MMA.

[@matthewlo7868]

@@ashkitt7719 That’s in my “I still don’t believe that’s a real thing” file!! Plus I did say, “to name but a few!”

[@cheryltyler3197]

Wow! Great pickleball info thank you bunches!

[@tonychen3368]

This is my 9th time playing it and I love it!

[@liamboote225]

Man, I seen those balls on so many occasions, but never knew this sport existed.

[@NinhLyUK]

Yes indeed!

[@ranjithbalasubramanian1545]

Some of your videos tell us about a new sport that most people have no clue actually exist in the first place

[@NinhLyUK]

Correct! That's the idea!

[@nickaube6934]

@@NinhLyUK u guys are the worst players i ever seen

[@Lisakaybooks]

Thank you!

[@josephgarcia2333]

I've been playing pickleball for a few months and love it. It's a great game that's easy to pickup, not too demanding, and still a ton of fun. It's more like a chess match at higher levels since the court is so small

[@NinhLyUK]

Absolutely!

[@666kingdrummer]

Funny, thats what I always said Tennis was, "3D Chess....with a ball"

[@dawgyv72]

The funniest thing about this activity is that even the best players look like their playing a middle-school gym class game lol

[@Justin-cw7zf]

I can finally know what those people at the park and next to the tennis court are playing. Haven’t understood for years

[@desiraemichalisko7184]

Thanks!

[@johnrossi8362]

Having my first hit-out tonight in Australia - decided to check the rules, seems simple enough. Have played tennis before but this requires less power as such and more finesse. See how I go!

[@tomney4460]

I thought it was a game where you throw pickles at first.

[@NinhLyUK]

You could do that. I'm not sure the rules allow it though.

[@raupadhyaya04]

Bruh I thought u were hitting a pickle

[@tomney4460]

@@NinhLyUK I hope they do 😂

[@ashkitt7719]

@@Jtzkb There's no rule that a dog can't play it either.

[@nesreenabdelfattah5342]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@arizansbergerstein1860]

you should make one about the history of the Barassi line in australia and AFL vs. NRL

[@NinhLyUK]

Interesting subject, yes.

[@boblarsen8301]

You never mentioned anything about soaking the ball in vinegar...

[@torspedia]

This might be one to have a closer look at, as I can't really play any other racket sport, due to my knees!

[@NinhLyUK]

Yeah totally! I think you'd enjoy it!

[@torspedia]

@@NinhLyUK ta 😀

[@josephgarcia2333]

It's a lot easier on the body than tennis ) especially the doubles game) but still really fun

[@LuvMyCardiKids]

In the US in singles the service does not always start from the right hand court. The service location depends upon the score. If your score is even you serve from the right hand court. If the serve is odd you serve from the left hand court. It appears that the doubles service rules in the US may be a bit different from these UK rules too.

[@AustinJASMR]

In 8th grade we did a whole unit on this in PE. It was really fun at the time and I enjoyed it. Fast forward to 9th grade and I play this for my team sports final. I ended up being the only person that actually knew how the game worked, having played it before. Everyone played like it was tennis, and where getting way to competitive with it (they clearly liked physical sports more). I had the roughest time of my life trying to explain the rules to people, but ended up giving up on it and just ignored everything.

[@NinhLyUK]

Send them this video next time.

[@brendenstefano902]

Awesome explanation, just one question. When playing doubles: 1. Team A Player 1 serves, they lose the rally. Team A is now on second serve 2. Team A Player 2 serves (second serve) and now lets day they win the point Question: does the serving reset after winning that point? Or does the second serve stay until Team A loses the serve?

[@scoop4321]

Player 2 continues to serve until his team loses the volley. Then Team B player 1 starts his serve.

[@brendenstefano902]

@@scoop4321 thanks!

[@ElliottDuster]

I played this in gym class a few years ago. Pretty fun and simple.

[@NinhLyUK]

Absolutely!

[@covenantwarrior3840]

Ninh you explained so many sports, but what are some of your favorite sports? You have a great channel by the way and you got a new subscriber.🔥

[@NinhLyUK]

Thanks. I don't really have a favourite sport, but if I had one to pick to watch, it'd be ice hockey.

[@renegarza2353]

Thank you ! Played my first game last night !

[@tonychen3368]

Oh cool, how was it?

[@tonychen3368]

Oh cool! How was it?

[@mikebaker7749]

Question, if the ball hits the back of your hand holding the paddle and you hit the ball over the net does it count?

[@triskaidekathirteen724]

Interesting!

[@russellbreedlove8222]

Thank you for the video. I just started looking into pickleball today, and the bit about the kitchen is still unclear to me. In your video, you said that you cannot volley in the kitchen. Does this imply that you can enter the kitchen and strike the ball if it has bounced? Seems like that must be the case, but no video that I have watched yet has explicitly said that.

[@executivegrouprealty1082]

So, I just found out today that rules are not applied the same to amateurs and pros. If that is true, how ridiculous...the rules should be uniform up and down the levels of PB

[@Louie-eq6ub]

Seems really cool

[@NinhLyUK]

It's easier to learn than tennis, that's for sure.

[@LeotheTiger1234]

I didn't go a single year of elementary or middle school without at least one P.E. class where Pickleball was the game played.

[@NinhLyUK]

Yes, it's becoming the defacto racket sport in the US.

[@johnnysama]

This sport was invented close to me, in Washington state. :)

[@NinhLyUK]

I believe so, yes.

[@nepttune710]

Bainbridge island I guess

[@MaleanaK]

You explained it soo well thank you!

[@2002Archer]

Could you do the sliding sports please (luge, bobsleigh and skeleton)

[@CaeserOct]

Would be cool if you had a series like these rules videos but on the history, development, and organization of these sports. Maybe also dabble on historic rivalries and if certain countries / regions reign supreme.

[@NinhLyUK]

Interesting idea.

[@CaeserOct]

@@NinhLyUK thanks you for the reply! Much appreciated.

[@rmcastillo83]

My cousins and I are all different ages and fitness levels and we have been looking for a sport we could play competitively together. I think we found it.

[@NinhLyUK]

Exactly! It's easy to pick up and play.

[@rileykazama3145]

This like ping pong with out the table

[@NinhLyUK]

Kind of, yeah.

[@rileykazama3145]

@@NinhLyUK the paddles are nuts

[@ORIGINALJRL]

In doubles, do you switch sides serving if you win the rally? Or serve from the same spot?

[@MrWhateverfits]

I no lie just saw this on TV for the first time a couple of weeks ago.

[@NinhLyUK]

That sounds about right.

[@samuelufamily5900]

Playing Pickleball in Jacksonville NC. 2022 loves it❤❤❤

[@c_m_b_3110]

One thing- in singles, the side you serve on depends on your score. For instance if you have an odd score, such as 7, you will serve on the left side of the court. If you have an even score, such as 4, you will serve on the right side of the court.

[@romiarkan450]

That's pretty much how serving works in badminton

[@calebarmstrong2653]

I also saw this error.

[@rorycarroll6033]

ninh please do an updated version of gealic football cuz there are many new rules

[@NinhLyUK]

I'll consider it.

[@rorycarroll6033]

@@NinhLyUK omg u actually replied i love your vids and the game has changed a lot since your first vid

[@SpitefulAZ]

@@rorycarroll6033 first time? Ninh replies to every comment.

[@rorycarroll6033]

@@SpitefulAZ never commented hes some legend for doing it

[@Dalton1294]

I remember playing this game in P.E.

[@NinhLyUK]

It's a fun game.

[@golfer435]

I should also mention there are a few things you missed with the Kitchen. You got it right that you cannot volley the ball with a foot in the kitchen, however you also cannot land in the kitchen when you hit a volley. Also, if you are in the kitchen and do not establish yourself outside of the kitchen and you volley the ball, it is a kitchen foul and the point is lost.

[@justind9019]

So, can you ever hit overhand or always waist level or under???

[@meyerhaus3189]

I have a question regarding the server position during a doubles game. Let’s say the score is 3 2 2 and team B faults and the server returns to Team A. Score is now 2 3 1. Which side does Team A Server 1 serve from? Left or right side? Is it based on an odd or even score that determines which side Sever 1 serves from?

[@golfer435]

Service always starts from the right most service box

[@elievers8799]

Can you do a video on rounders?

[@NinhLyUK]

It's not played professionally so footage is hard to find.

[@parthmehta2609]

इस दुनिया में कितने तरह-तरह के खेल होते हैं, अगर यह channel नहीं होता तो हमें कभी पता ही नहीं चलता, इसलिए आपकी मेहनत के लिए आपको दिल से धन्यवाद करता हूँ सर। 😊🙏

[@NinhLyUK]

आपके उदार शब्दों के लिए बहुत - बहुत धन्यवाद

[@brad1356]

For doubles, how does serving work if you win the round? Dos that same person serve from the right, do they switch sides? Do they alternate serves until they foul?

[@GabrielNavarro-bo7st]

They are introducing a rally scoring system.

[@seamusmckeon9109]

I’ve always wanted to know the rules

[@NinhLyUK]

And now you do.

[@brimmed]

Can someone explain the no volley zone? My family and I started playing smash ball in the backyard and then slowly managed to transition to using pickleballs and pickleball rackets. We mainly just hit the ball back and forth for fun but since we have the equipment and a court is near us we are thinking about going to a court one weekend to play. So my question for the kitchen is, why would anyone stand in the kitchen? Why would anyone return a ball meant for the kitchen, aka a light hit?

[@kogniscent]

sometimes you have to go into the kitchen if someone hits a light shot (drop shot), the better the dropshot, the harder it is to get back over

[@golfer435]

Think of the kitchen as a past, present, and future area. You cannot be, have been, or end up in the kitchen when volleying a ball. You must establish position outside of the kitchen and not end up in the kitchen when hitting a volley. If the ball bounces in the kitchen, then you are perfectly fine to enter and hit it, but you must immediately step out.

[@va960]

So, it's like tennis without the superfast balls and with the small ping-pong like paddles.

[@NinhLyUK]

Except that the paddles are huge. But yes.

[@ashkitt7719]

They turned tennis into pickleball. Funniest shit I've ever seen.

[@NinhLyUK]

It's a lot easier to pick up and play that's for sure.

[@meyerhaus3189]

Can someone explain why pickleball rule 4.B.6.A contradicts 4.B.6.B? Doubles 4.B.6.a. At the start of each side out, service begins in the right/even serving area. 4.B.6.b. When the team’s score is even (0, 2, 4 ...), the team’s starting server’s correct position is at the right/even serving area. When the team’s score is odd (1, 3, 5...), the starting server’s correct position is at the left/odd court. While 4.B.6.a indicates service begin on the right after a side out, 4.B.6.b indicates position is based on score. Let’s say after a side out the team who gets to serve has an odd number score, does that mean the serve start on the left/odd court side?

[@golfer435]

All that means is that when you win a point (win the volley on your serve) then you and your partner switch service areas.

[@markw7297]

I have a NVZ question that my local pickleball group has been debating. If I hit a groundstroke (not a volley) when the ball bounces outside the NVZ and my momentum carries me into the NVZ, is that a fault?

[@golfer435]

No. Its only a fault if you hit a volley and your momentum carries you into the NVZ

[@sirjmdelmundo8785]

Thank you so much for your videos...I’m always using you videos as my instructional material in my PE class. More power and God bless 😇 Ps: may i have a question regarding to this video, Is it possible to play this game in singles????

[@NinhLyUK]

Yes, you can play this game as singles as indicated in the video, but it's more commonly played as doubles. And thanks!

[@michaeldeneef3569]

This video was just used for an introduction by a new Pickle Ball group in Bangladesh.

[@OrangeApocalypse]

Rules not clear enough. I ended up wrapped in the net, lying diagonally across two white lines, with one racket sticking out of my mouth, and another racket sticking out of my a...

[@user-br6jv7rq7s]

Cool vid Ninh !!! I love the inclusivity. Is this a strictly sports rules channel or is there more leeway?

[@NinhLyUK]

It's generally a sports channel.

[@ashkitt7719]

@@NinhLyUK It would be cool to see game rules as well. Like with your videos on pool and snooker and cornball. What is the line between game and sport anyway?

[@SpitefulAZ]

All I could think about was that scene from inglorious basterds "now about this pickle we're in". As they shoot each other in the Hoden.

[@NinhLyUK]

I never would have associated that with this sport?!

[@SpitefulAZ]

@@NinhLyUK after watching a few Tarantino films, the association will become clear.

[@ashkitt7719]

I associate it with a joke that only the highest IQ people can comprehend. Funniest shit I've ever seen.

[@brickhouse7978]

When hitting the ball, are you allowed to hit it overhand?

[@aariz8031]

No

[@davidtanenbaum3487]

There is no explanation here as to what happens if a serve is out. Are there two serves as in tennis?

[@seymourglass26]

I swear this is a game Ninh made up just as an early/late April Fool's joke. That's why he only has footage of one real match. I'm onto you Mr. Ly.

[@NinhLyUK]

Seems like a lot of effort for an elaborate April Fool's joke.

[@SpitefulAZ]

@@NinhLyUK off season joke too.

[@seymourglass26]

@@NinhLyUK It's a lot of effort to watch the comments so closely. You're obviously capable of putting in the work.

[@danielsennett2657]

Where is this sport played? Is it popular in any particular country?

[@NinhLyUK]

It's becoming popular worldwide, but it's most popular in the US.

[@robertcunningham9626]

So you can step into the kitchen as long as the ball has bounced into it already?

[@GabrielNavarro-bo7st]

Similar to the blue crease rule in Hockey.