RULES
1. Scoring System: Games are played to 15 points. Only the serving team can score points.
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2. Serving Rules: The serve must be diagonal and clear the non-volley zone (kitchen). The server must stand behind the baseline when serving. In doubles, both players on a team get to serve before the other team gets the serve, except at the start of the game (only one server starts). If the server faults (e.g., ball goes out, hits the net, or is an illegal serve), the serve switches to the next server or team.
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3. Double Bounce Rule: After the serve, each team must let the ball bounce once before hitting it (this means the return of serve must bounce, and the serving team’s next shot must also bounce). After these two bounces, the ball can be hit on the fly or after a bounce.
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4. The Non-Volley Zone ("Kitchen"): The kitchen is the 7-foot zone near the net on both sides. Players cannot volley (hit the ball in the air) while standing in the kitchen. A player's momentum cannot carry them into the kitchen after a volley. Players can hit the ball in the kitchen only if it has bounced first.
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5. Side-Out & Changing Serve: The server switches sides after scoring a point. In doubles, the first server continues until a fault, then the second server serves. After both lose the serve, the other team gets the serve. The receiving team does not switch sides when they win the serve.
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6. Let Serves (Optional Rule): do not use lets—if the ball lands in the correct service box after hitting the net, play continues.
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7. Out of Bounds: A ball is out if it lands outside the court lines. The lines are considered in except for the kitchen line on a serve (the serve must clear the kitchen).
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Faults & Violations: A fault occurs if: the ball is hit out of bounds, the ball does not clear the net, a player volleys while in the kitchen, the ball is volleyed before the double bounce rule is met, a serve is illegal (e.g., wrong service box, overhand, etc.), the ball touches any part of the player’s body or clothing before being hit.