Social sports

Are you curious about pickleball? 

Register your interest by filling out our registration form.

Complete the registration form

Program information

Pickleball is a fun, social, and inclusive sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It is played on badminton sized courts with a paddle and a plastic ball. We are excited to bring this popular sport to Stirling Leisure Centres. Games are un-fixtured and self-umpired by participants.

Stirling Leisure Centres

Last payment will be taken half an hour prior to conclusion of session.

All rules are as per the official USA Pickleball rules, with minor amendments intended to enhance the playing experience at Stirling Leisure.

Basic rules overview

• Pickleball is played either as doubles or singles. Doubles format will be played unless there aren’t enough players

• The same size playing area and rules are used for both singles and doubles

The serve

• The server's arm must be moving in an upward arc when the ball is struck

• Paddle contact with the ball must not be made above the waist level

• The head of the paddle must not be above the highest part of the wrist at contact
• At the time the ball is struck, the server's feet may not touch the court or outside the imaginary extension of the sideline or centreline and at least one foot must be behind the baseline on the playing surface or the ground behind the baseline
• The serve is made diagonally crosscourt and must land within the confines of the opposite diagonal court
• Only one serve attempt is allowed per server.

Service sequence

• Decide who will serve first, using any method you prefer. We're partial to a good game of rock, paper, scissors. The serving player should position themselves on the right side of their court.
• Partners decide what side they’ll play for the entirety of the game: the right, officially the "even" side, or the left, officially the "odd". No switching sides required.
• Every rally starts with a serve. If the serving team’s point total is even (0,2,4...), the partner on the even side (right) serves. If it’s odd (1, 3, 5...), the partner on the odd side (left) serves.
• Every rally scores a point - it doesn’t matter who was serving. Whoever wins the point serves the next point.
• The receiving side must let the ball bounce before returning it. The serving team also needs to let the ball bounce once before returning it. (Explained under “Two Bounce Rule”)

Scoring

• Rally scoring 
• Games are played to 11 points.

Two-bounce rule

• When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce before returning, and then the serving team must let it bounce before returning, thus two bounces
• Both teams can then volley the ball (hit the ball before it bounces) or play it off a bounce (ground stroke).

Non-Volley Zone (“The Kitchen”)

• The non-volley zone is the court area within 7 feet on both sides of the net
• Volleying is prohibited within the non-volley zone. This rule prevents players from executing smashes from a position within the zone
• It is a fault if, when volleying a ball, the player steps on the non-volley zone, including the line and/or when the player’s momentum causes them or anything they are wearing or carrying to touch the non-volley zone including the associated lines
• It is a fault if, after volleying, a player is carried by momentum into or touches the non-volley zone, even if the volleyed ball is declared dead before this happens
• A player may legally be in the non-volley zone any time other than when volleying a ball. 

Line calls

• A ball contacting any line, except the non-volley zone line on a serve, is considered “in” 
• A serve contacting the non-volley zone line is short and a fault.

Faults

• A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation. 
• A fault by the receiving team results in a point for the serving team. 
• A fault by the serving team results in the server’s loss of serve or side out.
  • A fault occurs when:
  • A serve does not land within the confines of the receiving court. 
  • The ball is hit into the net on the serve or any return.
  • The ball is volleyed before a bounce has occurred on each side.
  • The ball is hit out of bounds. 
  • A ball is volleyed from the non-volley zone. 
  • A ball bounces twice before being struck by the receiver.
  • A player, player’s clothing, or any part of a player’s paddle touches the net or the net post when the ball is in play.
  • There is a violation of a service rule.
  • A ball in play strikes a player or anything the player is wearing or carrying. 
  • A ball in play strikes any permanent object before bouncing on the court 3.

How does it work?

You can drop in any time between the session times, with the last payment being taken half an hour before the session concludes.

Upon arrival, make your payment at the reception to receive your pass to play. Then, proceed to the court to collect your equipment. When a spot becomes available, you can take to the court and start playing.

What are the centre rules?

Participants are expected to manage court space and time with courteous behaviour, ensuring that all participants have the opportunity to play and warm up as needed.

Due to the casual format, the City of Stirling cannot guarantee the number of participants, and fees will apply regardless of attendance. If there is a consistent high demand, additional social pickleball sessions may be added.

All skill levels are welcomed and encouraged to participate.