(basic rules video)
(basic scoring video)
*The Court: 2 sidelines, 2 baselines, 4 serving courts (left and right on each side), and the non-volley zone on each side of the net called the “Kitchen.”
*Play: Every point begins with a serve. Each game goes to 11 points and you must win by two points. (ex. If the score is 10-10 the serving team must score two more points to win without allowing the other team to score.)
*Serve: Underhand, behind the baseline, the ball must go over the net and land in the opposite service court (serving diagonal), the service ball can not land in the kitchen.
*Double Bounce Rule: The ball must bounce once on each side of the net before either team can volley (hit the ball before it bounces)
* The Kitchen: Players can not hit the ball while standing in the kitchen unless the ball has already bounced once on their side.
*The Lines: Sidelines, centerline, and baselines are “in” the line for the Kitchen is out. (example: when serving your ball can hit the centerline, the baseline, or the sideline and be considered in, but it can’t hit the line for the kitchen.)
*Scoring: Game is played to 11 points, must win by 2. Only the serving team scores points. If the non-serving team wins the rally it is not a point, it either moves to the next server on the serving team (when playing doubles) or is a “sideout” and the serve switches to the other team.
*Doubles: When playing doubles each player is either server one or server two for their team. Team A serves first, starting with server TWO in the right service court. Play until the serving team loses a rally, then it is a sideout and the serve moves to Team B, server 1. Team B server 1 and server 2 both take their turns serving before another sideout moves the serve back to Team A. Then Team A server 1 gets a turn. It’s a little confusing, but this is to prevent an unfair advantage to the first serving team.
