If you are new to the sport of pickleball, you are probably wondering: can you carry the ball in pickleball? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we will go over the Rules, including serving rules, Non-Volley Zone faults, and tips for carrying the ball.
Rules of Pickleball
In terms of playing the rules of pickleball, there are a few key differences from other sports. While most sports play between the lines, pickleball is played on a court.
The players use a small, perforated ball to hit the ball. The court is approximately twenty feet wide by 44 feet long. There are also volley zones and non-volley zones. In pickleball, the players must return the ball to the net.
The ball cannot be served deep or too quickly. The serving team must wait for the return bounce before it can return to the net.
Many new players tend to forget this, so coaches must constantly remind them to wait. After the return bounce, the serving team may play the ball in the air.
However, this is not advisable. You should always serve the ball with a soft touch. This will keep the ball in the court. The game has many rules that can be confusing.
Serving Rules
Pickleball’s serving rules are as quirky as its name. First, you must know that the player who is serving the ball must hit the ball with three numbers before it hits the ground.
After serving, players may volley the ball. A volley is when the ball hits the ground before it bounces back.
However, volleying is not allowed if the serving team failed to hit two of the three numbers before serving.
The other serve rule is that the ball must stay within the white lines on the pickleball court. A player who accidentally serves the ball out of bounds loses the serve.
This rule is crucial in pickleball because out-of-bounds plays can affect the outcome of a game.
The rules for pickleball serves are designed to help the players serve better. As you can see, serving is the most crucial part of the game.
Non-Volley Zone faults
If you play pickleball on a court with a non-volley zone, you must make sure that both of your feet are outside of the NVZ.
This area extends seven feet from the net on either side. This area cannot be entered during a volley. The non-volley zone is also called the “kitchen.” A player who enters this area must be able to step outside the zone before contacting the ball.
A player may also be guilty of a Non-Volley Zone fault if they hit the ball and touch the Non-Volley Zone when they return a bouncing ball.
A player may enter this zone even if they do not intend to; however, if they hit the ball with their paddle, they will incur a fault.
The player may also make a Non-Volley Zone fault if they push their partner’s paddle into the non-Volley Zone and make contact with it.
Tips To Carry the Ball
There are a few tips you can follow to improve your shots and serve more effectively in pickleball. One of the most important tips is to always make contact with the ball as far in front of you as possible. This will give you more power and control when you hit the ball.
Another important tip is to sound out the contact point to help ensure you’re looking at the ball as it hits your paddle. It is also important to maintain eye contact during the follow-through to return the ball more quickly to the ready position.
The other important tip is to warm up. Try walking or jogging for 5 minutes before the match. Your body will get a good workout and will be ready for your game.
Once you’re warmed up, you’ll be ready to serve and carry the ball in pickleball! Keep in mind that warm-ups and cool-downs will help you stay relaxed while playing.