PaddlePotTHE GAME, STEP BY STEP
Start with the handful of rules that keep a first game moving. Expand the smaller notes when you’re ready for the details.
FIRST, THE COURT
The lines around the outside are in. On each side of the net, the centre line divides the two service courts. The 7-foot area beside the net is the non-volley zone, often called the kitchen.
A ball touching a boundary line is in. The kitchen line belongs to the kitchen, so a serve that lands on it is short and out. The centre line is in for a serve.
START THE POINT
Stand behind the baseline, between the imaginary extensions of the centre line and the sideline on your serving side. Serve into the service court diagonally opposite, beyond the kitchen line.
When you hit the serve, at least one foot must touch the ground in that serving area. Neither foot may touch the baseline or court, or the ground outside those imaginary lines. The imaginary extensions themselves are included in the serving area.
Release the ball without deliberately adding spin. For a drop serve, let it fall naturally. Don’t toss it up or throw it down.
For a volley serve, hit before the bounce: move the paddle in a clear upward arc, contact the ball no higher than your waist, and keep the paddle head no higher than your wrist. For a drop serve, release from a natural, unaided height and hit after the bounce; those volley-stroke restrictions don’t apply.
For either serve, natural rotation during release is fine; deliberately adding spin with your hand, body or paddle before the stroke is not. You may create spin when your paddle strikes the ball. Release with one hand or the paddle, visible to the receiver; a ball may roll off the paddle face by gravity.
A drop serve must not be propelled in any direction. The opening serve starts on the right. In traditional doubles, the server and partner switch sides after scoring, and the opening team gets one service turn. A serve touching the net is still good if it lands in the correct service court.
LET THE BOUNCES HAPPEN
After the serve has bounced and been returned, the serving team must let that return bounce too. Only after those two bounces can either team hit the ball out of the air.
This is the two-bounce rule. Once it’s satisfied, you can volley or let the ball bounce, whichever gives you the best shot.
THE NON-VOLLEY ZONE
You may step into the kitchen to play a ball after it bounces. You can’t volley while touching the kitchen or its line.
The rule also applies if your momentum carries you into the kitchen after a volley. Once you’ve regained balance outside it, you can volley again.
Yes. Being in the kitchen isn’t a fault by itself. The restriction is on volleying while in contact with the zone, including its line, and on momentum from a volley causing that contact.
KEEP THE RALLY GOING
A fault happens when the ball goes out, bounces twice before you return it, fails to cross the net, or you break a rule such as volleying from the kitchen.
If you’re unsure about a line call, give the other team the benefit of the doubt. In casual play, agree calmly and get the next rally started.
If a live ball hits you or something you’re wearing before it bounces out, that usually ends the rally against the player it hit. If a serve hits the non-receiving partner before bouncing, the serving team wins the rally. This is sometimes called a “Nasty Nelson”. Players should prioritise safety and avoid aiming at people.
WHO SCORES?
Traditional scoring awards points only to the serving team. Rally scoring awards a point after every rally to whichever team wins it.
Traditional scoring is usually used in Australia. In doubles, its call has three numbers: serving team’s score, receiving team’s score, then server number. Games are commonly played to 11, win by 2, though formats can vary.
Practise both scoring types in PaddlePot LearnFOR WHEN YOU’RE READY
These are advanced shots and situations. You don’t need them to enjoy your first game.
An Around-the-Post shot travels beside the net post into the opponent’s court, instead of over the net. It can be legal when the ball’s path and landing are valid. The player and paddle still must avoid touching the net or net system.
An Erne is a volley struck beside the kitchen, often by jumping around its corner. The player must make contact while legally outside the non-volley zone and must not touch the net system. It’s a tactical surprise, not a kitchen-rule exception.
This nickname describes a serve that hits the receiver’s partner before bouncing. Under the official rules, the serving team wins that rally. It’s unusual; play safely and show good sportsmanship.