Rules for popular recess games
(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.
(basic rules video)
(basic rules video)
(basic rules video)
(basic rules video)
1411 West Diamond Valley Drive
Saint George, Utah 84770
T: 435-574-2009
F: 435-574-2013