Pickleball has its share of quirky rules, and the Two-Bounce Rule (also known as the Double Bounce Rule) is one of the most important rules to understand. It's not just a rule—it's a game-balancer that applies to both singles and doubles.
What Is the Two-Bounce Rule?
The Two-Bounce Rule ensures that after a serve:
- The ball must bounce once on the receiving side before being returned.
- Then, it must bounce once on the serving side before being hit.
After those two bounces, the game opens up to volleys and any shots played off a bounce. On Bainbridge Island, the birthplace of pickleball, you might hear a player yell "OPA!" when this moment arrives—it's the pickleball way of saying, "Volleys allowed!"
Why is the Two-Bounce Rule Important?
The Two-Bounce Rule might seem like an extra layer of complexity & quirkiness, but it keeps pickleball strategic and approachable for all skill levels.
- Keep the game balanced: Without it, serving teams could rush the kitchen (non-volley zone, NVZ) and dominate the return with overheads and volleys.
- Encourage strategy: It slows the game momentarily, allowing both teams to set up their positions.
Tips for Playing the Two-Bounce Rule
Here's how to use this rule to your advantage:
For the Serving Team:
- Stay back after serving: Stay near or just behind the baseline to prepare for the second bounce. It's easier to move forward to the ball than to scramble backward if the return is deep. Standing too far into the court signals your opponent(s) to aim quick returns at you or your feet, making it much harder to handle the second bounce effectively.
- Plan your third shot: After the ball bounces on your side, aim for a well-placed shot, a drive or drop, to the middle to regain control and set yourself up for success.
For the Receiving Team:
- Go for depth: A deep return keeps the servers back and makes it harder for them to approach the net. It also gives the player hitting the return more time to get to the kitchen line, which should be part of your doubles strategy.
- Charge the kitchen line: After hitting the return, get to the kitchen line to create a solid wall with your partner if playing doubles. In doubles, if you control the kitchen, you control the game.
What's Your Take? Do you have a favorite strategy or a story about the Two-Bounce Rule? Share it with us below, and check out more of our blogs for pickleball tips, tricks, and a touch of fun!
Ready to bring the quirkiness and fun of pickleball off the court? Check out our Pickleball Slam card game—the perfect way to test your pickleball slang knowledge and trick-taking strategy with friends and family! Visit www.pballgoods.com or find it on Amazon and get your game today!
