Indoor Pickleball

Scoring Rules
In pickleball, only the serving team can score points. A point is awarded when the receiving team fails to return the serve or commits a fault during a rally. Points are earned only when the serving team wins the rally according to the official rules.

Calling the Score
The score is announced using a three-number format. The sequence is: server's score – receiver's score – server number (either 1 or 2, applicable in doubles only). For example, at the start of a doubles game, the score call would be: 0 - 0 - 2 (zero serving to zero, with the second server serving).

Match Format
In standard play, a game is won by the first team to reach 11 points, with at least a 2-point margin. If the score reaches 10-10, the game continues until one team leads by two points. Matches are typically played in a best-of-three-games format.

Faults and Violations
A fault results in a loss of serve or a point (if committed by the receiving team). Common faults include:

1. The serve hits the net.
2. The ball is hit out of bounds.
3. Violation of the "two-bounce rule" (each team must let the ball bounce once after the serve before volleying).
4. Illegal service motion or positioning.
5. The ball strikes a permanent object (e.g., lights, ceiling, walls) before bouncing in play.
6. Hitting the ball before it crosses the net (a "net-crossing" fault).

Pickleball is rapidly growing in popularity, especially in the United States, where over 2.5 million people play the sport regularly. It's now commonly included in physical education programs across schools, with more than 500 schools in New York State alone offering it as part of their curriculum. Tournaments at the city, state, and national levels are held regularly, and the sport has a dedicated national association.

In China, the sport is also gaining traction. A milestone moment occurred on October 18, 2017, with the establishment of the Shenzhen Pickleball Association, signaling the beginning of nationwide promotion and development.