USA Pickleball’s 2025 Rulebook is out, and sometimes it’s hard to find what you need because there are so many rules. We have broken down each of the pickleball rules here, with links to each individual section.
Section 1. The Game.
In Section 1: The Game of the 2025 USA Pickleball rules, learn more about the basics of pickleball, including the players, court, and basic rules.
Read the full list of pickleball rules in Section 1: The Game Rules.
Section 2. Court and Equipment.
In Section 2: Court & Equipment of the 2025 USA Pickleball rules, learn more about the court dimensions, pickleball equipment specifications, and line rules.
Read the full list of pickleball rules in Section 2: Court and Equipment.
Section 3. Definitions.
In Section 3: Definitions of the 2025 USA Pickleball rules, learn the basic pickleball definitions, including important terms, shots, and rules.
Read the full list of pickleball rules in Section 3: Definitions.
Section 4. The Serve, Service Sequence, and Scoring Rules.
In Section 4: The Serve, Service Sequence, and Scoring Rules of the 2025 USA Pickleball rules, learn the basic of the pickleball serve, player positioning, and scoring rules.
Read the full list of pickleball rules in Section 4: The Serve, Service Sequence, and Scoring Rules.
Section 5. Service and End Selection Rules.
In Section 5: Service and End Selection Rules of the 2025 USA Pickleball rules, learn who serves at the beginning of each pickleball rally and how teams choose which side to start on.
Read the full list of pickleball rules in Section 5: Service and End Selection Rules.
Section 6. Line Call Rules.
In Section 6: Line Call Rules of the 2025 USA Pickleball rules, learn who calls lines on each side of the court, what is the definition of an "in" ball and an "out" ball, and who is not allowed to call lines on the pickleball court.
Read the full list of pickleball rules in Section 6: Line Call Rules.
Section 7. Fault Rules.
In Section 7: Fault Rules of the 2025 USA Pickleball rules, see a full list of all the faults in pickleball.
Read the full list of pickleball rules in Section 7: Fault Rules.
Section 8. Dead Ball Rules.
In Section 8: Dead ball rules of the 2025 USA Pickleball rules, learn more about all the situations which would cause a dead ball in pickleball.
Read the full list of pickleball rules in Section 8: Dead Ball Rules.
Section 9. Non-Volley Zone Rules.
In Section 9: Non-Volley Zone Rules of the 2025 USA Pickleball rules, learn more about what you can and can't do in the pickleball non-volley zone (or "kitchen), when you can enter the zone, and what is the pickleball momentum rule?
Read the full list of pickleball rules in Section 9: Non-Volley Zone Rules.
Section 10. Time-Out Rules.
In Section 10: Time-Out Rules of the 2025 USA Pickleball rules, learn more about the different types of time-outs in pickleball, when you can take them, and how much time you will get during your time-out.
Read the full list of pickleball rules in Section 10: Time-Out Rules.
Section 11. Other Rules.
In Section 11: Other Rules of the 2025 USA Pickleball rules, learn more about rules not included in other sections of the rules, including what happens if a ball is cracked, the plane of the net, an injury during a match, and can you legally hit the ball twice with your paddle?
Read the full list of pickleball rules in Section 11: Other Rules.
Section 12. Sanctioned Tournament Policies.
In Section 12: Sanctioned Tournament Policies of the 2025 USA Pickleball rules, learn more about the rules of USAP-sanctioned pickleball tournaments, what to expect at your first tournament, and the differences between an officiated and non-officiated match.
Read the full list of pickleball rules in Section 12: Sanctioned Tournament Policies.
Section 13. Tournament Management and Officiating.
In Section 13: Tournament Management and Officiating of the 2025 USA Pickleball rules, learn what to expect at your first tournament, your responsibilities, and how to interact with the officials and line judges.
Read the full list of pickleball rules in Section 13: Tournament Management and Officiating.
Appendix.
In the Appendix of the 2025 USA Pickleball rules, learn more about the goals, priorities, and guiding principles of USA Pickleball.
Read the full list of pickleball rules in the 2025 USA Pickleball Rulebook Appendix.