It took me some time to learn the double bounce rule in pickleball when I started playing. If you want to learn more about the double bounce rule and its true purpose, you have come to the right place.
The Two Bounce RuleDouble bounce is when the first two shots (the serve and the return serve) must bounce before they can be hit. After both shots are allowed to bounce, each team can now hit the ball on its own.
This forces each team to hit ground strokes before being able to hit the ball out of the air; also known as a volley shot.
The Core of the Double Bounce Rule is:
1. Require serve to bounce2. Require the return serve to bounce3. For more rallies and longer play, organically extend the game. The competition level can be lowered to some extent. Reduce the unfair advantage that is given to the serving team
You may have forgotten the double bounce rule if you are a beginner to pickleball. This could cost you a point and cause you to lose points.
It is against all court-based instincts if you are a former tennis player. You must not charge the net after you serve. It serves a very unique purpose in pickleball…and it’s genius!
Continue reading to find out more.
What is the purpose of The Double Bounce Rule
Pickleball was built around rallies in order to make the game more fun for everyone. This would not be possible without the double bounce rule.
The point could end in just two to three shots if serves and returns of serves can be played quickly (without bouncing). A weak serve or return of a serve could be used to score an easy point in the kitchen.
Pickleball would not be as much fun if there were only two shots per point.
Rallying in any sport of racquet is a great experience. Pickleball’s double bounce rule amplifies this in a wonderful way.
In short:The double bounce rule allows for more rallies.
Who benefits from the Double Bounce Rule
As I said, forcing the serving team members to wait for the serve bounce to return keeps them from reaching the net quickly. They can, and should, hustle quickly to the kitchen after the return team hits.
Before hitting the ball again, the serving team must let it bounce. They are effectively delayed by one shot before they can charge the net.
This rule takes away the great advantage in tennis that legends Pete Sampras or John McEnroe used to use.
These hall of farmers would launch a devastating serve on their opponent and then sprint to the net to take away the point.
Pickleball is a game where the underhand serve, and even more important, the double bounce rule do not give the serving team an advantage.This is one of our favorite. It is unique among other paddle sports.
Pickleball is a game of underhand serves, so it’s rare for them to be returned. The server can’t get to the no-volley zone if the serve is returned by the server unless it’s hit very deep back to them.
There are no Pete Sampras two shot winners. It’s a level playing field in pickleball, sir.
You could even argue that this rule gives the return of serve team a slight advantage by getting to the net first. Pickleball is a game where most points are won or lost at the kitchen line. Therefore, the person who gets there first has a slight advantage.
This makes it impossible for the player or team serving to earn a point.
Fun Fact: Pickleball points are awarded only to the team that serves.
You can’t get a point if you’re on the return team. However, you can often make it to the kitchen first. This is huge! This clever little rule extends the match and makes it highly competitive, regardless of skill level or age.
Is the “Double Bounce Rule”, and The “Two Bounce Rule”, the Same Thing?
Yes. It’s sort of. Let me explain.
The official pickleball rules manual changed the name of the double bounce rule to the “two-bounce” rule in 2018. It means the exact same thing. This is the rule that requires the ball to bounce on both sides before it can be thrown out of the air (volley).
It doesn’t matter if it is called the “double bounce” or “two bounce” rule, it refers to the same thing. It refers to the return and serve of serve bouncing.
Is it possible for the ball to bounce twice in pickleball?
The answer to your question about how many times the ball bounces in bounds during a pickleball game is one.
Many paddle and racquet sports have an inherit rule that states that if the ball bounces twice in a game, the player or team who hits the shot wins a point.
If you and I play pickleball, and you have a nice rally at the no-volley zone, but you hit a great dok to my far side of my court and it bounces twice since I couldn’t reach it; that is your point.
This rule is common in virtually all paddle and racquet sports.
Don’t let the common rule for racquet sports get in the way of the double bounce rule for pickleball. They are distinct.
Who invented the Double Bounce Rule
Pickleball’s fascinating origin story is fascinating. Joel Pritchard and Bill Bell were the game’s founders. Barney McCullum is also a part of this story.
Who was the one who invents double bounce rules in pickleball? Did it not one of these three men?
The answer is not clear, unfortunately.
It’s not possible to find the answer you are looking for. is the person that has created the greatest rule in racket sports history.
However, Joe, Bill, and Barney spent days working to customize the rules for the game at their Bainbridge Island vacation home in Washington, so that everyone could play. There are good chances it was one of them.
Unfortunately, we might never know.
Up-to-date: I reached out to USAPA to get an official answer, but have yet to hear back.
Is Pickleball the only sport with a double bounce rule?
Pickleball isn’t the only paddle sport to have a double bounce rule. The return of serve must bounce.
Pop Tennis, or more precisely “Classic Pop Tennis”, the serve and the return of serve must bounce before either side can reach the net. Iike it in pickleball.