Two-bounce rule
A pickleball rule requiring both the serve and the return to bounce once before players may hit the ball out of the air.
Overview
After the serve, the receiving side must let the ball bounce before returning it, and the serving side must then let the return bounce as well. Only after these two bounces may either team volley the ball, meaning hit it before it bounces.
The rule stops the serving team from rushing the net immediately and gives both sides a fair chance to reach the front of the court. It is also known as the double-bounce rule.
Key points
- The return of serve must be played off a bounce.
- The serving team must also let the return bounce.
- Volleys are only allowed after those first two bounces.
- The rule prevents an immediate serve-and-volley rush.
Where it’s used
Sports that use two-bounce rule:
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Tactics
- Serve and volleyAn attacking tennis tactic where the server follows their serve to the net to finish the point with a volley.
- Counter-attackWinning the ball and moving forward at speed to attack before the opponent can reorganise their defence.
- Pick and rollA two-player basketball action where one player screens for the ball-handler, then rolls to the basket.
- Fast breakPushing the ball up court at speed after a turnover or rebound to score before the defence sets up.
Learning paths
- Learn PickleballA structured, educational learning path for pickleball — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
- Learn TennisA structured, educational learning path for tennis — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
- Learn PadelA structured, educational learning path for padel — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
- Learn BadmintonA structured, educational learning path for badminton — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
- Learn FootballA structured, educational learning path for football — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
Equipment
- Pickleball paddleA solid, flat paddle used to hit the perforated plastic ball in pickleball.
- Tennis racquetA strung frame with a handle used to hit the ball in tennis.
- Cricket batA flat-fronted wooden bat used by batters to hit the ball in cricket.
- Squash racquetA slim strung racquet used to hit the ball against the walls in squash.
- Baseball batA smooth, rounded club used by batters to hit the pitched ball in baseball and softball.
Techniques
- VolleyA shot played near the net by blocking the ball out of the air before it bounces, using a short, firm punch rather than a full swing.
- HeaderA technique for controlling or striking the ball with the forehead in football, used to pass, shoot or clear the ball in the air.
- Topspin ForehandA forehand groundstroke hit with a low-to-high swing that puts forward spin on the ball so it dips and kicks up on landing.
- Tennis ServeThe overhead stroke that starts every point, hit from behind the baseline into the diagonally opposite service box.
- Volleyball SetAn overhead pass using the fingertips of both hands to place the ball accurately for a teammate to attack.
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How this page is maintained
- Content type
- Rule
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
- Verified external sources
- 0
- Content updated
- 2026-07-09
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