Pickleball rules

Pickleball rule changes

Changes that affect how a game is played or scored, newest first: the old rule, the new one, and what it means for scoring.

From the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook, 2026 edition and its change documentLast checked Read the change document ↗
20262026 rulebook
SCORING Rule 14.A.2, 15.C.2

Rally scoring: the receiving side can win on game point

BeforeEvery rally won a point, but game point could only be won by the serving side.
NowEvery rally wins a point, game point included. Rally scoring stays provisional.

For scoring: A side can now win a game on a rally it didn’t serve.

20262026 rulebook
SERVE Rule 7.C.1–7.C.3

The volley serve must clearly pass three tests

BeforeUpward arc, paddle head below the wrist, contact below the waist.
NowEach of the three must clearly be true at contact.

For scoring: No change. A serve that fails a test is a fault.

20262026 rulebook
SERVE Rule 7.B.2

Spin from the paddle at contact is allowed

BeforeNo spin from the release; paddle spin at contact wasn’t addressed.
NowStill no spin from the release. Paddle spin at contact is allowed.

For scoring: No change. Spin on the release lets the receiver ask for the serve again.

Changes from earlier rulebooks (the end of let serves, the drop serve) are being checked against those editions and will be added here.

Rules are written by 1SCOR in our own words and checked against the official rulebook. They are not the rulebook: for anything official, read the rulebook itself.