Pickleball Fault Rules: 10 Common Faults That Can Cost You Points

1. What Is a Fault in Pickleball?

If you’ve ever played pickleball and wondered why a rally suddenly ended—or why your opponent got a point even though the ball seemed fine—you’ve probably committed a fault.

In pickleball, a fault is any violation of the official rules that stops play and awards a point or serve change to the opponent. It’s the sport’s version of a foul or penalty, and even seasoned players lose points because of simple, preventable faults.

2. Pickleball Fault Basics: Definition, Categories & How Faults Are Called

Before we dive into the common mistakes, it’s important to understand what exactly counts as a fault in pickleball—and how it’s judged during play.

2.1 Official Definition

According to the USA Pickleball (USAPA) and International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) rulebooks,

A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation.

When a fault occurs:

· The rally immediately ends.

· If the serving team commits the fault, it results in a side-out or loss of serve.

· If the receiving team commits the fault, the serving team scores a point.

Unlike tennis, where multiple serves or lets are allowed, pickleball demands accuracy and discipline—one wrong move can flip control of the game.

2.2 Categories of Pickleball Faults

Faults can be grouped into a few main categories:

Category	Examples
Serve Faults	Serve hits the net, lands out of bounds, or violates motion/foot rules.
Return / Double-Bounce Faults	Player volleys before each side has let the ball bounce once.
Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) Faults	Player steps into the kitchen while volleying.
Foot Faults	Player’s foot crosses boundary lines illegally during serve or play.
Out-of-Bounds Faults	Ball lands outside the lines or hits an external object.
Contact Faults	Ball touches the player, paddle twice, or hits clothing.
Position / Rotation Faults	Wrong player serves or receives.
Interference / Hindrance Faults	Player distracts or blocks opponent illegally.

2.3 Faults vs. “Lets”

Players often confuse faults with lets, but they’re quite different:

· A fault is a rule violation — it ends the rally.

· A let is a neutral stoppage — the point is replayed.
For example, if a serve hits the net and still lands in the correct service box (in some recreational rules), it’s called a “let serve.”

3. The 10 Most Common Faults in Pickleball (and How to Avoid Them)

Even pros commit faults when under pressure. Understanding why they happen is the first step toward eliminating them. Let’s break down the 10 faults that cost players the most points — with examples and fixes.

Fault #1 — Serve Faults (The Most Frequent Beginner Mistake)

Definition:

A serve fault occurs when the serve:

· Lands outside the correct diagonal service area.

· Fails to clear the net.

· Touches the net and doesn’t land in.

· Is not hit underhand or with the correct paddle position.

· Violates foot placement rules during the serve.

Common Example:

You serve from the right-hand court, but the ball clips the top of the net and lands short. That’s an instant fault—no re-serve allowed.

Why It Happens:

· Poor toss or inconsistent contact point.

· Rushing the serve motion.

· Incorrect paddle angle.

· Nervousness or fatigue in long rallies.

How to Avoid It:

· Develop a consistent pre-serve routine (bounce twice, breathe, visualize target).

· Keep paddle contact below your waist and the paddle head below the wrist at impact.

· Focus on smooth, controlled swings rather than power.

· Practice with serve target drills: place cones in each service box and aim for accuracy over speed.

Pro Tip: Record your serve in slow motion to check if your paddle head ever rises above your wrist—one of the most overlooked serve faults in casual play.

Fault #2 — Foot Faults (During Serve or at NVZ)

Definition:

A foot fault occurs when:

· During a serve, the server’s foot touches or crosses the baseline or sideline before striking the ball.

· During rallies, a player’s foot enters the Non-Volley Zone while volleying.

Common Example:

You’re serving from the right side, and in your momentum, your front foot slides forward and touches the baseline. That’s a fault—even if the serve was perfect.

Why It Happens:

· Players stand too close to the line.

· Overstepping due to body momentum.

· Poor balance during serve or volley.

How to Avoid It:

· Always leave at least one foot’s distance from the baseline before serving.

· Use visual markers (like tape) in practice to monitor foot position.

· Strengthen your core and balance to control momentum.

Important: A single toe touching the line during a serve equals a fault. Train yourself to stay slightly behind the line at contact.

Fault #3 — Double-Bounce Rule Violation

Definition:

This happens when a player volleys the ball before it has bounced once on each side following the serve.

The double-bounce rule ensures fair rallies by preventing serve-and-volley dominance.

Common Example:

Your opponent serves deep, and you rush the net to smash the return before it bounces. Fault—you violated the two-bounce rule.

Why It Happens:

· Impatience to attack.

· Misjudging the bounce depth.

· Forgetting the rule in fast rallies.

How to Avoid It:

· Mentally remind yourself: “Let it bounce once.”

· During practice, play “shadow returns” focusing only on watching the bounce.

· Use a two-bounce drill—practice with a partner calling out “one” and “two” as each bounce happens to ingrain timing.

Memory trick: Say “serve–bounce–return–bounce” aloud during warmups to internalize the correct sequence.

Fault #4 — Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen) Violation

Definition:

A kitchen fault happens when a player volleys (hits the ball before it bounces) while:

· Standing in the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ), or

· Touching the NVZ line, or

· Their momentum carries them into the NVZ after a volley.

Common Example:

You smash a high ball at the net but your follow-through lands you inside the kitchen. Even if the shot was a winner, it’s a fault.

Why It Happens:

· Over-aggressive net play.

· Poor balance or foot control.

· Misunderstanding that momentum counts even after the ball is hit.

How to Avoid It:

· Practice the “step-back volley”: hit, then immediately step backward to avoid entering the zone.

· Strengthen leg control for better stopping power.

· Add balance drills: mini-lunges and controlled recoveries.

· Always remember: If you’re in doubt, step out.

Rule reminder: You can be inside the NVZ anytime—as long as you let the ball bounce before hitting. The fault only occurs during volleys.

Fault #5 — Out-of-Bounds Shots

Definition:

When a ball lands outside the court lines or touches any permanent object (net post, fence, ceiling), it’s a fault.

Common Example:

You go for a deep lob, and it floats just beyond the baseline. Even if it hits close, any portion of the ball not touching the line means it’s out.

Why It Happens:

· Overhitting due to poor depth control.

· Misjudging spin or wind direction.

· Aggressive play style without targeting.

How to Avoid It:

· Aim for margin of safety: 6–12 inches inside boundaries.

· Adjust for outdoor conditions—wind and temperature affect bounce and flight.

· Use target drills: place markers inside lines to train spatial awareness.

· Practice spin control—topspin drops faster, backspin floats farther.

Outdoor tip: On windy days, shorten your swing and add topspin. Let the ball dip naturally instead of forcing power.

Fault #6 — Ball Hitting Player, Clothing, or Paddle Twice

Definition:

A fault occurs if the ball:

· Touches any part of the player (body, clothes, hat) before it bounces.

· Is double-hit by the same player or paddle.

· Gets “carried” or “thrown” instead of being cleanly struck.

Common Example:

You attempt a soft block, but the ball catches your paddle edge, then your shoulder. That’s a fault—even if it accidentally lands in.

Why It Happens:

· Awkward defensive positioning.

· Late reactions near the NVZ.

· Improper paddle angle or grip tension.

How to Avoid It:

· Maintain a compact, steady paddle face for control.

· Strengthen reflexes with reaction-ball training.

· Use “soft hands” on resets—avoid flicking or pushing the ball.

· Drill with slow, controlled volleys to eliminate body contact errors.

Rule detail: If both teammates hit the ball consecutively, it’s also a fault—pickleball allows only one paddle contact per team per shot.

Fault #7 — Wrong Server or Service Order Violation

Definition:

A service order fault happens when the wrong player serves, serves from the wrong court, or the receiving team stands in the wrong position.

This type of error is especially common in doubles because rotations can get confusing mid-game.

Common Example:

In doubles, Player A serves and wins a rally, but instead of rotating positions, they serve again from the same side. Fault — play stops immediately, and the point goes to the opponent.

Why It Happens:

· Players forget rotation order.

· Miscommunication between teammates.

· Losing track of who served last during long rallies.

How to Avoid It:

· Develop a verbal cue system with your partner (e.g., “My serve right,” “Your serve left”).

· Keep mental notes: Odd score = right side server serves to left, even score = left side server serves to right.

· Use court diagrams in practice to visually memorize rotation.

Tip: In casual games, pause before each serve to confirm both sides’ positions. It saves a lot of disputes later.

Fault #8 — Double Hit or Carrying the Ball

Definition:

A double hit occurs when a player strikes the ball twice during a single stroke, intentionally or unintentionally.
Similarly, a carry means the ball stays in contact with the paddle for too long instead of being cleanly struck.

Common Example:

You block a fast dink near the net, but your paddle briefly “catches” the ball before flicking it upward — that’s a carry, and it counts as a fault.

Why It Happens:

· Too much wrist motion during soft shots.

· Overly flexible paddles or poor paddle control.

· Trying to guide the ball instead of striking cleanly.

How to Avoid It:

· Focus on crisp, quick contact—not dragging the paddle.

· Maintain medium grip pressure (about 4/10 strength).

· Practice “tap drills” where you lightly tap a ball up and down 50 times without letting it wobble or stick.

Note: If a double hit happens in a single, continuous motion (like a paddle edge deflection), referees may rule it not a fault—but the motion must be clearly unintentional and fluid.

Fault #9 — Hitting the Ball Before It Crosses the Net or Out of Turn

Definition:

You can only hit the ball after it has crossed the net to your side of the court. Touching or hitting the ball over the net (before it crosses) is a fault.
Similarly, in doubles, if the wrong teammate hits the return, that’s also a fault.

Common Example:

You lean over the net to intercept a slow dink before it bounces on your side — fault, even if you don’t touch the net itself.
Or, your partner and you both reach for a return, and you accidentally hit instead of them — fault for hitting out of turn.

Why It Happens:

· Over-aggressive net positioning.

· Poor communication between teammates.

· Misjudging the ball trajectory at the net.

How to Avoid It:

· Learn to track the ball’s arc — don’t swing until it clearly passes the net plane.

· Assign zones with your partner (“I take left half, you take right half”).

· Keep your paddle on your side of the net at all times—practice “shadow volleys” to reinforce correct distance.

Important: You can legally reach over the net only after the ball has already crossed (for example, when following through on a shot). Pre-contact overreach = fault.

Fault #10 — Distraction or Interference Faults

Definition:

A distraction fault occurs when a player intentionally distracts an opponent during play by shouting, moving, or making gestures unrelated to gameplay.
An interference fault can also occur if a player or object interferes physically with an opponent’s shot.

Common Example:

You yell “OUT!” mid-rally to distract your opponent. Even if the ball lands out, you lose the point because of the verbal distraction.

Why It Happens:

· Emotional or frustrated reactions.

· Misunderstanding of what counts as “verbal interference.”

· Poor sportsmanship or casual play misunderstandings.

How to Avoid It:

· Only call “out” after the ball has landed.

· Stay silent during rallies—save commentary for between points.

· Maintain composure and mutual respect; pickleball’s culture values sportsmanship highly.

Reminder: Communication with your partner (“Mine!” or “Yours!”) is allowed—but directed distractions toward opponents are not.

4. Advanced Fault Scenarios: What You Might Not Know

Even experienced players sometimes get tripped up by gray-area faults—those less obvious or situational violations. Let’s cover a few:

Scenario	Is It a Fault?	Explanation
Ball clips the net on serve but lands in (under USA Pickleball 2025 rules)	Yes	“Let serves” are now discontinued — if it hits the net and lands in, rally continues.
Momentum carries you into NVZ after volley	Yes	Even post-contact movement counts.
Ball hits paddle handle instead of face	No	Still considered legal contact if continuous.
Ball hits permanent fixture after bounce	Yes	Point to opponent.
Ball hits net post before bouncing in	Yes	Considered out.
Drop serve hits ground twice before paddle contact	Yes	Illegal serve motion.

Understanding these subtleties can prevent unnecessary point losses during tournaments or referee disputes.

5. Summary: Play Smart, Stay Fault-Free

Understanding pickleball fault rules is about more than memorizing rulebook sections—it’s about developing on-court intelligence.
Faults happen to everyone, but consistent awareness and structured practice make a massive difference.

Key Takeaways:

· A fault is any rule violation that ends a rally—serving wrong, stepping into NVZ, hitting out, etc.

· The 10 major faults include serve errors, foot faults, double bounces, and distraction faults.

· Most faults are preventable through habit and attention.

· Use drills and consistent review to reduce mistakes.

· Honest play and sportsmanship are as important as skill.

Bottom Line: The fewer faults you make, the more control you gain over rallies—and the closer you get to mastering the rhythm of pickleball.