Pickleball rules address where to stand during the serve (behind the baseline within your service quadrant) and during play (no volleying in the non-volley zone). Otherwise, where to stand in pickleball is a matter of strategy. These tips will help you maximize your advantage by being in the right position.
Pickleball players need to be aware of the ball and their opponents’ court position on the court so they can anticipate where to move next. Players should also be mindful of pickleball rules, which include the foot fault rule, which states that players are not allowed to step on or over the baseline or the center line when hitting the ball.
Regulations On Where To Stand In Pickleball
What Does The USAPA Rulebook Say?
In pickleball, the USAPA (USA Pickleball Association) has established a set of rules and regulations governing the game. One of these rules concerns the position of players on the court during a pickleball game.
- The USAPA mainly sets rules for where to stand during the serve (behind the baseline within your service quadrant) and during play (no volleying in the non-volley zone).
- After the serve, players may stand anywhere on their side of the court as long as they do not interfere with the opponent’s ability to play the ball.
- Players may not hit the ball while standing in the non-volley zone until the ball has bounced.
7 Tips On Where To Stand In Pickleball
Where To Stand While Serving
The server should stand behind the baseline. Servers must be positioned between the side and center lines when their paddle hits the ball. At least one foot must be touching the ground while serving.
Most players tend to stand around the middle of the serving quadrant—but that’s a matter of preference.
Don’t stand too far back from the baseline, as that’ll make it more challenging to hit a deep serve. Don’t stand too close to the baseline, as you may accidentally find yourself with a foot fault.
Best practice after the serve, according to the USAPA, is to remain behind the baseline until after the third shot is hit.
Where To Stand As The Partner Of The Server
The server’s partner should stand in their service court. Since they aren’t serving, they can have their feet on the baseline.
When stacking, the partner of the server stands in the same service quadrant as the server.
Where To Stand While Returning
When returning the serve, the receiver should be within their service court, ideally a couple of feet behind the baseline. Remember—most players serve the ball deep.
Make sure to stand in such a way that you’re positioning your forehand or backhand—whichever’s stronger—to return the serve.
Where To Stand As The Returner’s Partner
The receiver’s partner should be standing in their service court. Since you’re not returning the serve, it’s to your advantage to get close to the non-volley zone so you’re ready to return the third shot.
Where To Stand When Hitting The Third Shot
When returning the third shot in pickleball, stay back by the baseline. Since the ball has to bounce on the second shot, staying far back gives you the best chance of being in the right position to return the shot.
Where To Stand When Dinking
When dinking at the net in pickleball, players should position themselves at the non-volley zone within their own service court. The dink is a soft, low shot played over the net.
Where To Stand When “Stacking” In Pickleball
Stacking in pickleball is when both players on a doubles team stand on the same side of the court when a serve is made. After the serve, both players can take their preferred positions on the court.
Often, stacking is used to accomodate left-handed players. It can also allow a right hand/left hand partnership to always have their stronger forehands playing from the middle of the court.
