A rally in pickleball is where the ball is in continuous play back and forth across the court after the ball is served and before a fault occurs. Rallies at the professional level typically last between 7-12 shots, demonstrating the skill and agility of pickleball players.
How Does a Rally Work?
A rally in pickleball is basically when players hit the ball back and forth over the net until someone scores a point, makes a mistake, or the play gets stopped for some reason.
Rally Basics
- Starting Off: Each rally begins with a serve by the first team. The server’s position, either on the right side (even side) or the left side (odd side), is determined by the serving team’s score at the start of the serve. The serve must be underhand and land cross-court in the opposite court.
- Hitting It Back: The other player or opposing team has to let the ball bounce once before they whack it back over the net. This is where the fun begins.
- Keeping It Going: After that, you can hit the ball either before or after a bounce. But, there’s a twist: you can’t hit the ball out of the air in the non-volley zone (the kitchen).
- Earning Points: A rally wraps up when the ball lands out of bounds, isn’t returned properly, or a team racks up a point because they played a killer shot that the other team couldn’t return. This process is key for scoring in the entire game.
- Oopsies: If you mess up, like missing the ball, hitting it out, or stepping into the kitchen when you shouldn’t, that’s called a fault. This can end the rally and might give the other team a chance to serve.
Any type of fault as outlined in the US Pickleball Rulebook (ex-USAPA) will cause a rally to end.
What are the different types of rallies in pickleball?
Here’s a breakdown of the different types of rallies you might encounter on the court:
1. Dinking Rallies
- What It Is: Dinking is a soft, controlled shot that barely clears the net and lands in the opponent’s non-volley zone (the kitchen).
- The Strategy: It’s all about patience and precision. Players engage in a dinking rally to force an error from the opponent or to create an opening for a more aggressive shot.
2. Groundstroke Rallies
- What It Is: These rallies involve players hitting the ball after one bounce, usually from the baseline or mid-court.
- The Strategy: Groundstrokes are about power and placement, aiming to push opponents back or move them side to side until you find an opening.
3. Volley Rallies
- What It Is: Volleys are hit out of the air before the ball bounces. These rallies happen when players are closer to the net, often in or near the kitchen line but outside the non-volley zone.
- The Strategy: Quick reflexes and sharp angles. Volley rallies are fast-paced, aiming to catch opponents off-guard or force a weak return for an easy put-away.
4. Lobbing Rallies
- What It Is: A lob is a high shot that arcs over the opponent’s head, ideally landing near the baseline.
- The Strategy: Used to break up net play or as a surprise tactic. Lobs can push opponents out of their comfortable net position, opening the court for subsequent shots.
5. Drive Rallies
- What It Is: Drives are hard, flat shots aimed directly at opponents or into open spaces.
- The Strategy: Drives are about power and speed, trying to overwhelm opponents or force them into a defensive position. It’s a high-risk, high-reward approach that requires precise execution.
6. Drop Shot Rallies
- What It Is: Drop shots are softly hit balls that land just over the net in the opponent’s kitchen, forcing them to move forward quickly.
- The Strategy: The drop shot is a finesse move used to bring opponents to the net, often setting up a more aggressive follow-up shot.
7. Counterpunch Rallies
- What It Is: These rallies occur when players consistently return aggressive shots with controlled, defensive plays, waiting for an opening or an error.
- The Strategy: It’s about resilience and turning defense into offense. Players absorb the pace and power of their opponents’ shots, looking for a chance to take control.
How Long Do Pickleball Rallies Last?
Looking at match data for several pro tournaments, shots per rally typically range anywhere from 7 to 12 shots. This rate will greatly differ depending on the skill levels of the players involved, meaning that a rally can last anywhere from just 3-4 hits all the way up to dozens!
According to Guinness World Records, twin brothers Angelo and Ettore Rossetti accomplished the longest recorded pickleball rally on October 10, 2021, in Connecticut, USA. Their rally lasted over 6 hours and consisted of 16,046 consecutive hits.
The 7 Most Common Faults that End a Rally
Understanding and avoiding these common faults can help keep your rallies going longer and improve your overall pickleball game performance.
- Foot Faults: Occur when a player steps into the non-volley zone during the act of volleying the ball, or when the server’s feet are not behind the baseline during the serve.
- Service Errors: Include serving out of bounds, not clearing the net, or serving into the wrong service box.
- Hitting the Ball Out of Bounds: Any ball that lands outside the court boundaries ends the rally.
- Failing to Clear the Net: If the ball hits the net and doesn’t land in the opponent’s court during a rally, it’s a fault.
- Volleying in the Non-Volley Zone: Any volley hit while standing in or stepping on the non-volley zone line before the ball bounces.
- Double Bounce: The ball must bounce once on each side before it can be volleyed; failing to let the ball bounce on your side before hitting it results in a fault.
- Hitting a Player or Equipment: If the ball hits your opponent or their equipment while they are standing in their court, you win the point. However, if you or your equipment are hit by the ball while on your side of the court, it’s a fault against you.
How many points does a rally earn in pickleball?
In pickleball, a rally can earn a team or player one point. In the traditional pickleball ruling system, points are scored only by the serving side when they win a rally; if the receiving side wins the rally, no points are scored, but they earn the serve (or in doubles, the serve may rotate to the partner on the serving team).
This means that in order to score a point, a player or team must be serving and win the rally. The game is typically played to 11 points, and a team must win by at least 2 points.
Some matches may be played to 15 or 21 points, especially in tournament play, but the same rule applies where the team must win by 2 points.
What does pickleball rally scoring mean?
Rally scoring in pickleball represents a scoring method where a rally point can be scored by either the serving or the receiving side following a rally, contrasting with the traditional scoring system where only the serving side can earn points. This approach accelerates the pace of the game and can make matches more competitive and engaging, as every rally results in a point regardless of which team served.
In traditional pickleball scoring, the game relies on a side-out scoring system, meaning points are only scored by the serving team when they win a rally. If the receiving team wins the rally, they earn the serve but not a point, except in rally scoring where they would earn a point immediately.
Rally scoring is commonly used in volleyball and has been experimented with in pickleball, especially in recreational play or certain tournaments to ensure faster games and more straightforward scoring. It simplifies the game for beginners and makes every rally crucial, adding pressure and excitement to every point played.
Our 7 pro tips to Get Better at Pickleball Rallies
Here are some pro tips to help you get better at pickleball rallies:
1. Master the Dink Shot
- Why It’s Important: Dinking allows you to control the pace of the game and can force your opponents into making errors. Practice hitting your dinks with precision to keep them low over the net and in the kitchen.
2. Develop a Consistent Serve and Return
- Key Strategy: A reliable serve and return serve set the tone for the rally. Work on placing your serves and returns strategically to put immediate pressure on your opponents.
3. Improve Your Footwork
- What to Do: Good footwork is crucial for reaching shots and positioning yourself effectively. Practice lateral movements, quick steps, and staying on your toes to enhance your mobility on the pickleball court.
4. Work on Your Shot Variety
- Expand Your Arsenal: Having a variety of shots at your disposal (lobs, drives, volleys, and drop shots) can keep your opponents guessing and open up the court for point-winning opportunities.
5. Focus on Shot Placement Rather Than Power
- Strategic Play: Instead of always hitting the ball hard, focus on placing your shots where your opponents aren’t. Use angles, depth, and width to move your opponents around and create openings.
6. Practice Your Non-Volley Zone Play
- Control the Kitchen: Being comfortable playing in and around the non-volley zone (kitchen) is key. Work on your soft game, including volleys and dinks, to win the battle at the net.
7. Enhance Your Defensive Skills
- Stay in the Rally: Improve your ability to return difficult shots, including smashes and fast volleys. Being a strong defensive player can frustrate your opponents and force errors.
Remember, improvement comes with practice, patience, and a willingness to learn and adapt your strategies based on your experiences on the court.
