Pickleball Basics

Choose pickleball court colors for better ball visibility, line contrast and zone clarity, with practical guidance for outdoor, indoor and shared-use courts.

Learn how pickleball court drainage, surface slope, base construction and runoff planning work together to prevent puddles and protect playability.

Learn the official pickleball net height at the sidelines and center, plus post spacing, portable-net setup, measuring tips and common setup mistakes.

Learn how pickleball referee challenges work in 2026, including Head Referee appeals, penalties for an unsuccessful challenge, line-call appeals and overturned rulings.

Learn when you can reach over the net in pickleball, when crossing the plane is a fault, how follow-through works, and the backspin exception under 2026 rules.

Learn the 2026 pickleball let serve rule: what happens when a serve clips the net, where it must land, when it is a fault, and when a replay can occur.

Learn when pickleball rules require a replay, when uncertainty does not, and how hinders, distractions, line calls, damaged balls and score issues differ.

Learn who can call faults in pickleball under the 2026 rules, including self-calls, partner faults, Kitchen and service foot faults, line calls and disputes.

Learn who serves first in pickleball, how the pre-match choice works, why doubles starts at 0-0-2, starting-server rules and when players change ends.

Learn the 2026 pickleball body-contact rule: what happens if the ball hits you, your clothing or paddle hand, including balls headed out and catches.