Two-bounce rule
Definition
The two-bounce rule says that after the serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce before returning it, and the serving team must then let the return bounce before hitting it. After those two bounces, either team may volley.
The rule appears in the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook’s introduction as one of the sport’s “unique features.” It keeps the serving team from rushing the net and volleying the return, which is why the serving team’s third shot (often a soft “third-shot drop”) matters so much.
The rulebook also lets players using wheelchairs and players with certain disabilities allow the ball to bounce twice before returning it, as long as the first bounce is in the court.
Related terms
Sources
- 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook . USA Pickleball . Accessed November 4, 2026