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The two-bounce rule
One rule more than any other defines what pickleball looks like in motion: after the serve, each side must let the ball bounce once before anyone can volley. Once this clicks, you'll understand why both teams don't just sprint to the net the instant the serve is hit.
6 minKey takeaways
- After the serve, the receiving team must let it bounce (bounce 1). After the return, the serving team must let it bounce (bounce 2). Only then may anyone volley.
- This eliminates the serve-and-volley tactic from tennis; it guarantees at least two ground strokes at the start of every rally.
- Because the serving team must stay back for bounce 2, their third shot, their first chance to attack, is one of the most important shots in the game.
- After the two required bounces, both teams may volley freely or play off a bounce for the rest of the rally.
- It was called the 'double-bounce rule' until 2018; today 'double bounce' refers to the ball bouncing twice on one side (a dead ball), so the rule was renamed the 'two-bounce rule.'
Drill to try
With a partner, play 5 points where you shout 'ONE!' and 'TWO!' as each required bounce lands. Losing the count costs the point; you'll never volley a serve return again.