In the latest installment of “10 Pickleball Rules for Beginners,” professional pickleball official Maddie Toren breaks down the two-bounce rule and when you can volley.
What is the pickleball two-bounce rule?
The two-bounce rule means that after the ball is served, each side must make one ground stroke before volleying the ball.
Here’s how it the pickleball two-bounce rule works:
- A player serves the ball, which is considered the game's first shot and the first bounce.
- The receiving player returns the ball, which must bounce on the ground, thus giving the second bounce.
- The serving team then initiates the third shirt of the point, traditionally a drop into the kitchen or a drive.
- On the fourth shot, the opponent can either choose to volley or hit off the bounce.
- Anyone is free to volley or hit off the bounce for the remainder of the point.
Players using wheelchairs
Players using wheelchairs may allow the ball to bounce twice on each side before returning the ball. The second bounce can be anywhere on the playing surface, which includes the area surrounding the court.
Keep up with other videos
Follow the 10-video installment to learn all the rules and regulations every beginner must know before stepping onto the court. Check out the previous episodes below:
- Episode 1: The two types of legal pickleball serves
- Episode 2: Where to stand as the server and other service rules
- Episode 3: How to keep score in pickleball
