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KNOW THE RULE. ENJOY THE RALLY.

You make the call.

Does that serve count? Can you step into the kitchen? Learn tennis and pickleball rules through real courtside situations, then put your knowledge to the test.

✓ Free · no login✓ 74 situations✓ Rulebook references
A QUICK COURTSIDE CHECK

The ball clips the line.
In or out?

Small details can change a point. Find the explanation and the rule behind it.

Explore the guide →
TENNIS

Serving, scoring & those close calls

Understand service lets, tiebreak turns, court boundaries and what ends a point.

Try the tennis quiz →
PICKLEBALL

The kitchen, two bounces & side-outs

Untangle non-volley-zone faults, serving order and traditional side-out scoring.

Try the pickleball quiz →

THE ANSWER, WHEN YOU NEED IT

Search the situation guide

Choose a sport or topic, or search a phrase such as “second serve” or “kitchen.”

74 situations found

Tennis · Lines & court boundariesA ball clips a line

Your opponent’s groundstroke touches the outside edge of the singles sideline. How should it be judged?

THE CALL

In

Contact with the boundary counts as in.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 12 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Serving & receivingA second serve touches the net

Using standard service-let rules, your second serve clips the net and lands in the correct box. What is next?

THE CALL

Another second serve

Repeat that second serve; the earlier fault remains. No-let formats differ.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 22 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Serving & receivingTwo service faults

Your first serve misses the box and your second serve also misses. Who wins the point?

THE CALL

The receiver

Two service faults give the receiver the point.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rules 20 and 24(a) ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Serving & receivingReturning a serve without a bounce

A receiver volleys a serve before it reaches the ground. Is this allowed?

THE CALL

No; the receiver loses the point

A tennis serve must bounce before the receiver hits it.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 24(e) ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Scores & serving orderA tiebreak reaches 7–6

In a standard first-to-seven tiebreak, you lead 7–6. What happens next?

THE CALL

Keep playing

A standard seven-point tiebreak needs a two-point lead.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 5(b) ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Scores & serving orderWho serves after the first tiebreak point?

Alex serves the first point of a standard singles tiebreak. Who serves the next two points?

THE CALL

The opponent

The opening server serves once; service then switches in two-point turns.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 5(b) ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Scores & serving orderChanging ends in a standard tiebreak

You have played six points in a standard ITF tiebreak. When do you change ends?

THE CALL

Now, then after each further six points

The standard tiebreak end-change interval is six points.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 10 ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Scores & serving orderLosing a point at advantage

In an advantage game, you have advantage but lose the next point. What is the score?

THE CALL

Deuce

Losing the advantage point returns the game to deuce.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 5(a) ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Scores & serving orderLeading a standard set 6–5

In a standard tiebreak set, you lead six games to five. Have you won the set?

THE CALL

No; another game is needed

At 6–5, play continues; the set can become 7–5 or 6–6.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 6(b) ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Rallies & faultsTouching the net during a point

Your racket touches the net while the ball is still live. What is the ruling?

THE CALL

You lose the point

Net contact by you or your equipment during live play loses the point.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 24(g) ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Rallies & faultsA rally shot clips the net

During a rally, your groundstroke clips the net and lands inside the opponent’s court. What happens?

THE CALL

The rally continues

A net-cord rally shot remains playable when it lands in.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 25(a) ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Rallies & faultsCatching a ball you think is going out

You catch a live ball before it bounces because you think it will land long. What happens?

THE CALL

You lose the point

Catching a live ball loses the point, even when its flight looks long.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 24, Case 8 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Serving & receivingStepping on the baseline to serve

Your foot touches the baseline during your service motion. What should be called?

THE CALL

A foot fault

Touching the baseline during the service motion is a foot fault.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 18 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Lines & court boundariesA singles shot lands in the alley

In singles, a rally ball lands beyond the singles sideline but inside the doubles sideline. Is it in?

THE CALL

No

The doubles alleys are outside the singles court.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rules 1 and 12 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Serving & receivingSwitching receiving sides midway through a set

In standard doubles, can partners freely swap which service court each receives from between games of the same set?

THE CALL

No; the receiving order stays fixed for that set

Partners keep their receiving order for the set.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 15 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Serving & receivingCatching an awkward service toss

You toss the ball but choose not to swing and catch it instead. Is that a service fault?

THE CALL

No, if you made no attempt to hit it

An abandoned toss without a hitting attempt is not a fault.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 19, Case 1 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Rallies & faultsVolleying the serve

In standard pickleball, the receiver hits the serve before it bounces. What is the ruling?

THE CALL

A receiver fault

The receiver must wait for the serve’s bounce.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 10.A.1 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Rallies & faultsRushing forward after serving

Your partner serves. You hit the opponent’s return out of the air. Is that allowed?

THE CALL

No; the serving team must wait for the bounce

The serving team must also let the return bounce.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 10.A.2 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Kitchen / non-volley zonePlaying a bounced ball from the kitchen

A dink bounces in your kitchen. Can you step in and hit it after the bounce?

THE CALL

Yes

Kitchen position is allowed when you are not volleying.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 11.A ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Kitchen / non-volley zoneMomentum after a winning volley

Your volley wins the rally, but its momentum carries you into the kitchen afterward. What is the ruling?

THE CALL

A non-volley-zone fault

Volley momentum can cause a fault even after the rally ends.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 11.A.2 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Kitchen / non-volley zoneStanding on the kitchen line to volley

A toe is touching the kitchen line when you volley. Is the volley legal?

THE CALL

No

The kitchen boundary belongs to the non-volley zone.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rules 3.A.4.c and 11.A.1 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Kitchen / non-volley zoneLeaving the kitchen before a volley

After entering the kitchen, what must happen before you can volley again?

THE CALL

Both feet must contact the surface outside it

Re-establish both feet outside before making a volley.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 11.A.3 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Serving & receivingA serve lands on the kitchen line

Your serve lands directly on the opponent’s kitchen line. How is it judged?

THE CALL

Out; service fault

A serve must clear the kitchen boundary.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rules 7.E and 8.C ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Serving & receivingA serve brushes the net

A legal serve brushes only the net, clears the kitchen, and lands in the correct service court. What happens?

THE CALL

Play continues

A net touch alone does not create a service let in standard pickleball.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rules 7.E and 13.A ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Scores & serving orderWinning a rally while receiving

Under traditional side-out scoring, your receiving team wins a rally. Do you add a point?

THE CALL

No

Only the serving side scores in traditional side-out play.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 4.A ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Scores & serving orderThe first service turn in doubles

Under traditional side-out doubles scoring, the starting team loses its first service rally. What comes next?

THE CALL

A side-out to the opponents

The opening team has only one server in its first service turn.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 5.B ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Scores & serving orderServing at an even singles score

In standard full-court singles, your score is four. Which side do you serve from?

THE CALL

Right

In singles, an even server score uses the right side.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 5.A.1 ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Scores & serving orderThe second server loses a rally

After the opening service turn, your team’s second server loses a rally in side-out doubles. What comes next?

THE CALL

A side-out

Losing the second server’s rally ends the team’s service turn.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 5.B.6 ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Lines & court boundariesAn uncertain line call

In standard self-officiated play, you cannot clearly tell whether your opponent’s shot landed out. What should you do?

THE CALL

Treat the ball as in

Uncertain line calls favor the opponent.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rules 8.D and 8.E ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Rallies & faultsA shot travels around the net post

Your shot passes outside the net post and lands inside the opponent’s court. Must it cross above the net?

THE CALL

No, an around-the-post return is allowed

An around-the-post return can be legal without crossing above the net.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 13.C ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Serving & receivingBouncing a drop serve with force

For a drop serve, can you throw the ball down to produce a bigger bounce?

THE CALL

No

A drop-serve release cannot propel the ball.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 7.D.2 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Rallies & faultsA rally ball touches clothing

After the serve, the ball strikes your shirt before reaching the court. What is the ruling?

THE CALL

A fault against you

A live rally ball touching your clothing causes your fault.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 10.C.3 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Scores & serving orderLeading a win-by-two game 11–10

Your group agreed to play to eleven, win by two. You lead 11–10. Is the game over?

THE CALL

No, keep playing

The agreed two-point winning margin has not been reached.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Section 1; Rule 15.B.1 ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Lines & court boundariesA rally shot touches the baseline

A rally shot lands on the baseline. Is it out?

THE CALL

No, the baseline counts as in

A boundary-line landing is in; the serve’s kitchen-line exception is different.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rules 8.B and 8.C ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Serving & receivingSwinging and missing a serve

You swing at your service toss and miss the ball completely. What happens?

THE CALL

A service fault

Missing during an attempted service swing uses that serve. Catching a toss without attempting a swing is different.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 19(b) ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Serving & receivingServing before the receiver is ready

The receiver clearly is not ready and makes no attempt to return your serve. Under standard rules, what should happen?

THE CALL

Repeat that serve

Wait for the receiver to be ready. A serve delivered to a demonstrably unready receiver is a service let.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rules 21 and 22(b) ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Serving & receivingA serve hits the receiver’s partner

In doubles, your serve does not touch the net but strikes the receiver’s partner before bouncing. Who wins the point?

THE CALL

The serving team

The receiving side loses when a served ball hits either receiving player before landing, even if the serve looked likely to miss.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 24, Case 7 ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Rallies & faultsBoth partners touch a return

Your doubles partner’s racket clips the ball and you then hit it over the net. Is your team’s return legal?

THE CALL

No; your team loses the point

A doubles return cannot involve ball contact by both partners.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 24(l) ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Rallies & faultsWhere may your doubles partner stand?

Before a point, must the server’s partner stand at the net?

THE CALL

No; anywhere on their own side without hindering opponents

The non-serving partner can choose a position inside or outside their own court. Deliberate interference remains subject to hindrance rules.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 26, Case 5 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Rallies & faultsA loose ball interrupts the point

After a first-service fault, a rally starts on your second serve. Another court’s ball rolls in and a general let is called. What serve restarts the point?

THE CALL

A first serve

A general let restarts the entire point, including the first serve. This differs from a service let on a second serve.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 23, Case 1 ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Rallies & faultsThe ball breaks during a point

The tennis ball breaks during the point. What is the ruling?

THE CALL

Replay the point

A broken ball requires a replay. A merely soft ball does not have the same result.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 3 ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Rallies & faultsA soft ball after the point

After a completed point, you find the ball is soft but not broken. Must the point be replayed?

THE CALL

No; the point stands

Finding a soft, unbroken ball does not undo the completed point.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 3, Case 1 ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Rallies & faultsReaching a ball after two bounces

In standard non-wheelchair tennis, you reach a drop shot only after its second bounce. Can you keep the rally going?

THE CALL

No; you lose the point

A return must be made before a second consecutive bounce. Wheelchair tennis has a separate bounce allowance.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 24(b) ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Rallies & faultsGoing around the net in tennis

Your rally shot travels around the outside of the net post, below net height, and lands in the correct court without touching a fixture. Is it legal?

THE CALL

Yes

A return may go around the net post without clearing net height, provided it lands in the correct court.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 25(c) ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Rallies & faultsA ball spins back over the net

Your opponent’s shot bounces in your court and spins back to their side. Can you reach across to return it without touching their court or the net?

THE CALL

Yes, this is an allowed exception

After a legal bounce on your side, you may reach over to play a ball that has spun or blown back. Avoid prohibited contact.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 25(b) ↗

Advanced · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Rallies & faultsFollowing through across the net

You contact a volley on your own side, then your racket follows through over the net without touching it. The ball lands in. Is that allowed?

THE CALL

Yes

The contact must be on your side in this situation; a clean follow-through across the net is permitted.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 25(e) ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Rallies & faultsThrowing a racket to reach a shot

You throw your racket at a ball and it sends a winning shot into the correct court. Who wins?

THE CALL

Your opponent

You must hold the racket when it contacts the live ball. A successful shot from a thrown racket still loses the point.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 24(j), Case 6 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Rallies & faultsA ball brushes your shirt

A live rally ball brushes your shirt before you hit it. What is the result?

THE CALL

You lose the point

In tennis, the live ball cannot touch your body or clothing. Only racket contact can make a legal return.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 24(i) ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Rallies & faultsAn accidental double contact

One continuous swing accidentally contacts the ball twice and sends it in. You did not carry it or intentionally make a second hit. Is that automatically a lost point?

THE CALL

No

The rule prohibits deliberate repeated contact or carrying. An unintended double contact is not automatically a fault.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rules 24(f) and 26, Case 1 ↗

Advanced · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Scores & serving orderDiscovering a wrong-side serve

You discover you have been serving from the wrong half of the court during a game. What happens to points already played?

THE CALL

They stand; correct the serving half now

Correct the position when the mistake is noticed. Previously played points remain counted; a fault before discovery also remains.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 27(a) ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Scores & serving orderChanging ends during a set

Under standard ITF procedures outside a tiebreak, when do you change ends during a set?

THE CALL

After game one, game three and each later odd game

The regular changeover pattern starts after the first game and continues after odd-numbered games. Alternative formats can differ.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 10 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Serving & receivingStarting the next service game

You begin a new standard service game. From which half do you serve its first point?

THE CALL

The right half

Each standard game starts with a serve from the right half, then alternates halves for successive points.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rule 17 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Lines & court boundariesA serve touches the service line

A serve lands on the line at the back of the correct service box. Is it a fault?

THE CALL

No; that line belongs to the service box

A ball touching the boundary of the correct service court counts as landing in it.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rules 12 and 17 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Tennis · Rallies & faultsServing and volleying in tennis

Your legal serve bounces and the receiver returns it. May you volley that return before it bounces on your side?

THE CALL

Yes

Tennis requires the serve to bounce for the receiver, but the server may volley the return. Pickleball’s two-bounce rule is different.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 · Rules 24(e) and 25 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Serving & receivingA foot touches the baseline on serve

At the instant you hit your pickleball serve, one foot touches the baseline. What is the ruling?

THE CALL

A service foot fault

Neither foot may touch the court, including its baseline, at serve contact.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 7.A.2 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Serving & receivingBoth feet airborne on a serve

You jump and strike your serve with both feet off the ground. Is this legal in standard pickleball?

THE CALL

No; at least one foot must be grounded in the serving area

Serve contact requires at least one foot on the surface within the correct serving area.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 7.A.1 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Serving & receivingA volley serve above the waist

You strike a volley serve clearly above waist height. The ball lands in the correct service court. Is it valid?

THE CALL

No; it is a service fault

A volley serve has contact-height requirements in addition to its landing location. A drop serve uses different motion rules.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rules 7.C.3 and 7.C.5 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Serving & receivingUsing a backhand serve

May you use a backhand volley serve if it satisfies the upward motion, paddle-head and contact-height requirements?

THE CALL

Yes

Backhand and forehand service motions are both allowed when the applicable volley-serve requirements are met.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 7.C.4 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Serving & receivingA drop serve bounces twice

You release a legal drop serve without added force, let it bounce twice, then hit it while your feet are correctly positioned. Is that allowed?

THE CALL

Yes

There is no maximum pre-contact bounce count for a legal drop serve. The release and foot-position rules still apply.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 7.D.3 ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Serving & receivingWhere may a drop serve bounce?

Your legally dropped ball bounces inside the court before you serve it. Your feet are legally positioned at contact. Must the ball’s bounce have been behind the baseline?

THE CALL

No; the pre-serve bounce location is unrestricted

The ball’s pre-contact bounce location is not restricted for a drop serve. Do not confuse the ball’s position with the server’s foot requirements.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rules 7.D.4 and 7.A ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Rallies & faultsTwo contacts in one continuous stroke

Your ball accidentally contacts the paddle twice during one continuous stroke in a single direction. It lands in. What happens?

THE CALL

Play continues

Multiple contacts can be legal when made by one player in one continuous, single-direction stroke.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 10.D ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Rallies & faultsBoth partners hit the same return

The ball touches your partner’s paddle and then yours before crossing the net. Is the return legal?

THE CALL

No; a two-player hit is a fault

The continuous-stroke allowance applies to one player, not to both partners combining touches.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 10.D.2 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Rallies & faultsMissing a rally ball completely

You swing and miss a rally ball. Your partner reaches it before a second bounce and makes a legal return. Can the rally continue?

THE CALL

Yes

A completely missed swing does not make the ball dead. Your partner may still return it while it remains playable.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 10.E ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Rallies & faultsA cracked ball affects a rally

After a rally, all players agree a cracked ball affected its outcome. What should happen under the standard rule?

THE CALL

Replay the rally with a replacement ball

Agreement that a broken or cracked ball affected the outcome requires a replay. Without that agreement, the result stands.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 10.G.1 ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Rallies & faultsFinding a soft pickleball

After a rally, everyone agrees the ball is soft or degraded but not broken or cracked. Does that alone require replaying the rally?

THE CALL

No; keep the result

A soft or degraded ball does not invalidate the prior rally. Replace it when all players agree.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rules 10.G and 10.G.2 ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Lines & court boundariesPartners disagree about a line call

In self-officiated doubles, you clearly call your opponents’ shot out but your partner says it was in. What is your team’s call?

THE CALL

In

When partners disagree on a line call, their team must treat the ball as in.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 8.H ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Lines & court boundariesAsking a spectator to decide

In self-officiated play, neither partner is certain about a line call. May you ask a spectator to settle it?

THE CALL

No

Spectators are not consulted to resolve calls. Uncertain line calls must favor the opponent.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rules 8.J and 8.D ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Lines & court boundariesCalling “out” while the ball is airborne

In doubles, you tell your partner “out” before the opponents’ ball has landed. Is that already a valid line call?

THE CALL

No; it is partner communication

An airborne warning to your partner is communication. An actual out line call follows the ball’s landing.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rules 8.F.1 and 8.F.4 ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Lines & court boundariesCalling out after the next opponent hit

You return a ball, wait until your opponent hits the next shot, then call the previous ball out. Is that timely under the standard rule?

THE CALL

No; play continues

If you return the ball, make its out call before the opponent’s next hit or before it becomes dead.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 8.F.3 ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Kitchen / non-volley zoneA partner in the kitchen steadies you

While volleying, you are touching your partner, who is standing in the kitchen. You stay outside it yourself. Is your volley legal?

THE CALL

No; it is a kitchen fault

Contact with a partner who is in the non-volley zone counts against the volleying player.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 11.A.1 ↗

Advanced · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Kitchen / non-volley zoneA hat falls into the kitchen during a volley

As part of your volleying action, your hat falls into the kitchen. Your feet remain outside. What is the ruling?

THE CALL

A non-volley-zone fault

The kitchen restriction includes items worn or carried during the act of volleying, not just feet.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rules 11.A.1 and 10.J ↗

Intermediate · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Rallies & faultsSwitching the paddle between hands

During a rally, may you switch your paddle from your right hand to your left before making the next shot?

THE CALL

Yes

You may change paddle hands during a rally and may hold the paddle with one or both hands. Keep possession when hitting.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 12.B ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Rallies & faultsReaching a shot with a thrown paddle

You release your paddle and it strikes the ball into the opponents’ court. Is that a legal return?

THE CALL

No; you must possess the paddle at contact

A return requires possession of the paddle when it hits the ball.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rule 12.B.1 ↗

Beginner · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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Pickleball · Scores & serving orderStopping play for a late score correction

The serve has been returned. You now stop the rally to correct the score announced before serving. What is the standard ruling?

THE CALL

A fault against you for the late interruption

Stop for a score correction before the return of serve is hit and before the ball is dead. After that, finish the rally and correct the score before the next serve.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026 · Rules 6.F.3 and 6.F.4 ↗

Advanced · Reviewed 2026-10-13

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The rules behind the answers

Each scenario includes its rulebook reference and review date. Event formats and adaptive play can differ; check the applicable rules before your match.

USA Pickleball Official Rulebook 2026: USA Pickleball standard play and traditional side-out scoring unless the question states otherwise. Reviewed 2026-10-13.

ITF Rules of Tennis 2026: Standard ITF scoring and non-wheelchair play unless the question states otherwise. Reviewed 2026-10-13.

This is a learning tool, not an official referee certification.