G.T.H.C. Pickleball Rules


G.T.H.C. Pickleball is based on PickleBall with a few differrences. For those already familliar with Pickleball who only want to know how we differ, check the G.T.H.C. Peculiarites Table.

Items for play:
  • 2-4 Players.
    • We suggest Humans, preferably of the Friend variety.
    • Anyone who takes themselves, or competition, too seriously is poorly suited to the nuances of this game.
  • Pickleball Paddles, 1 per player.
    • Wood, Composite, Graphite.
  • Pickleball.
    • 1 for play, but having an extra is a good idea.
    • Hard plastic 'wiffle' balls.
    • They come 2 7/8" with 26 holes in them.
  • 1 Tennis Court, with net.


Rules of play:
  • Area of play. A standard tennis court is used. The only areas in bounds are the service boxes, at singles width.
    • The white lines represent a tennis court. The blue lines are the are used in GTHC Pickleball. Anything else is out of bounds.
    • The lines are in bounds. If a ball lands on the line, it is in play.
    • Only when a ball lands entirely outside the lines is it out.
  • Service
    • The first serve starts in the players own righthand court.
    • If a point is scored, the player moves to the lefthand side and serves again.
    • Service side alternated cooresponding to score.
    • If the serving side has 0,2,4,6,8 or 10 points, service is from the right. If the side has an odd number of points, service is from the left.
    • One or both feet must be behind the baseline when serving.
    • The serve is underhand, or side-handed; The paddle should not come above the waist.
    • The ball must not hit the net.
      • If the ball hits the net and stays on the players own side, it is a fault, and the serve moves to the other player.
      • If the ball hits the net and still crossed into the opponents court, it is a 'let', and is served again.
      • A second consecutive 'let' is a fault.
    • The serve must go cross court. I.E. From the server's right hand court to the reciever's right hand court.
    • When recieving a serve, the player must let the ball bounce once before returning it.
    • On service return, the player who served the ball must also let the ball bounce once before returning it.
    • After both sides have played one return off the bounce, the ball may be returned from the air by either player.
  • Volleys
    • The ball may only bounce once.
    • If the player fails to return the ball with a valid shot it is a fault.
      • If that player served, they lose the serve, and the opponent gets to serve.
      • If the opponent served, it is a point, and the opponent serves again.
    • Any ball that lands out of bounds is a fault for the player making the shot.
  • Scoring
    • When serving, any player who causes the opponent to make a fault, gets a point.
    • 11 Points is a win.
    • Margin of victory must be by two points.
  • Ammendments for Doubles Play.
    • Each side gets 1 serve per player.
    • Player 1 serves per ususal. If a point is scored, they switch to the other court as usual.
    • When the serving side faults, Player 2 goes to the last side served from, and serves the point again.
    • When both players on a side have faulted, service moves to the opponents.
  • Ammendments for CutThroat (2 vs 1).
    • The side with two players plays by the doubles serving rules.
    • The side with one player gets 2 serves made by the one player.


G.T.H.C. Peculiarites
(Compared to standard Pickleball)
  • We Like to Run!
  • There is no 'no volley zone' (contrary to USAPA.1999.2.A)
  • Played on standard tennis court, using only the service boxes (27'x 21')
    (contrary to USAPA.1999.2.A)
  • Played with a standard tennis-height net.(contrary to USAPA.1999.2.B.4)
  • Touching the net is allowed. (contrary to USAPA.1999.7.E)
  • Jumping over the net and somersaulting into the next court is encouraged.
  • Innapropriate and offensive clothing allowed (contrary to USAPA.1999.2.E)
  • Players do not need shirts (contrary to USAPA.1999.2.E)
  • Defensive Scoring "a.k.a. Target Shooting"
    • Only allowed when a team or player is not the serving side, i.e. is on 'defense', and thus not able to score a point through normal volley.
    • Ball must strike opposing player in mid air- not off the bounce.
    • The hand is considered part of the paddle, and does not count.
    • If the above conditions are met, the team on defense earns one point for striking the opponent legally. This makes people thing twice about crowding the net. So does the welts it leaves. :)

  • Sources for Equipment:
    • Pro-LITE and S-Type Are the two main paddle manufacturers.
    • If you want an older-style wooden paddle (heavier, but more inexpensive, and durable) check out Pickleball Stuff. The ZeroThousand crew has dealt with all three of these companies, and highly recomend them. They are staffed by super nice people who will hook you up.
    • Balls can be purchased from any of the above 3 sites.
    • Tennis courts are available in most cities.
    • Make your own paddle, with our GTHC Paddle Template!




    G.T.H.C. Pickleball is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 License.
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