USA Pickleball Rulebook (2024)

The USA Pickleball Association (USA PICKLEBALL) was organized to perpetuate the growth and advancement of pickleball on a national level and to set goals for worldwide play and recognition. USA PICKLEBALL is committed to furthering the growth and development of pickleball among all players.

USA PICKLEBALL is the governing body of American Pickleball that formulates and interprets all the rules of the sport in a manner that preserves the traditional nature and character of the sport and the skills traditionally required to play the sport. All such decisions by USA PICKLEBALL are final and not appealable.

The purpose of the rulebook is to provide pickleball players with the rules necessary for recreational, social, organized league and tournament play. Some sections of this rulebook are designed to be used only for the conduct of sanctioned tournaments. A sanctioned tournament allows players to obtain a rating on a national or international basis.

Non-sanctioned tournaments may also use these sections as guidelines. Tournament Directors for non-sanctioned tournaments may be flexible in the use of these guidelines to better fit the skills, ages, and diversity of their players. USA PICKLEBALL enthusiastically encourages these non-sanctioned tournaments to promote knowledge and growth of the sport, and skill development, while having fun playing pickleball. USA PICKLEBALL published the first rulebook in March 1984.