Official Rulebook
The complete GPF rulebook 2025/2026 in German can be found below. The English original is available for download at globalpickleballfederation.org.
PDF Download
Download rulebook as PDF
Authorised German translation. Created by DPB e.V. with express permission from USA Pickleball (Jason Maloof).
GPF Rulebook 2025 — German
PDF · Deutsch
Download PDF ↓
Original · USA Pickleball / GPF
GPF Rulebook 2025 — English
PDF · English
Download PDF ↓
© USA Pickleball / Global Pickleball Federation 2025. Authorised German translation. Created by DPB e.V. with express permission from USA Pickleball (Jason Maloof).
Quick Start Guide
Quick Start Guide
The Pickleball court is 13.41 m × 6.10 m — significantly smaller than a tennis court. The net is 86 cm high in the middle and 91 cm at the sides. A kitchen zone (Non-Volley Zone, NVZ) on both sides of the net (2.13 m deep each) is the central tactical element.
The serve must be executed from below the navel — forwards and upwards. It must be played diagonally into the opposite service box and must start behind the baseline. A serving fault results in a side change.
The receiver must let the serve bounce (1st bounce). The server must also let the return bounce (2nd bounce). Only from the 3rd shot may volleys be played. This rule prevents the server from rushing immediately to the net.
No volley may be played in the kitchen (NVZ) — neither with the paddle nor with the body during the shot. You may enter the kitchen when the ball lands there, but must leave before playing a volley again.
Only the serving side scores points. A game normally goes to 11 points (at least 2 point lead). In doubles, both players each have one serve before the side changes. The score is always called in three parts: server score - receiver score - serve number.
A fault ends the rally immediately. Common faults: ball lands out of bounds, ball played as volley in/from the NVZ, ball touches body or clothing, ball played twice in succession from the same side, two-bounce rule not observed, baseline crossed during serve.
Pickleball is played as singles (1 vs 1) or doubles (2 vs 2). Mixed doubles (one man and one woman each) is particularly popular. In doubles, special serving rules apply: on a side\\\'s first serve, only one player may serve.
FAQ
FAQ: Pickleball rules
Pickleball is played on a smaller court (approx. 1/4 of the tennis area). The paddle is smaller and more solid than a tennis racket. The ball is made of plastic with holes. The pace is slower, the learning curve significantly shorter — but the tactical depth is similar.
The Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone) is the area directly on either side of the net (2.13 m deep each). No volleys may be played here. The Kitchen rule prevents players from simply rushing to the net and smashing the ball out of the air — it forces tactical play.
At all official DPB tournaments, the GPF rulebook in its current version applies. The DPB is a member of the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF) and adopts their official rulebook as binding for all national competitions.
Play now
Find a club or course near you and get started right away.