Sign up for updates about pickleball tournaments and events Subscribe
Join the Pickleball Movement at the YMCA of South Hampton Roads
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports, and the YMCA of South Hampton Roads is proud to offer a variety of Pickleball programs for all ages and skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the game, our courts and programs are designed to help you enjoy this exciting sport.
Adult Pickleball Programs
Our Adult Pickleball Programs offer a welcoming environment for players of all skill levels. Whether you’re interested in open play or structured lessons, we have something for you.
- Open Play: Join other Pickleball enthusiasts for casual games at our YMCA courts.
- Pickleball Clinics & Tournaments: Hone your skills with clinics and friendly tournaments tailored for beginners and intermediate players.
- Private Lessons: Learn the sport and improve your game with one-on-one instruction with our pickleball coordinators.
Locations
Chesapeake
Eastern Shore
North Carolina
Portsmouth
- YMCA of Portsmouth (indoor and outdoor courts)
Suffolk & Franklin
Virginia Beach
Why Play Pickleball at the YMCA?
- All skill levels are welcome, from beginners to experienced players.
- A fun, social sport that’s easy to learn but offers plenty of challenges.
- Indoor and outdoor courts are available year-round.
Pickleball for Seniors
Pickleball is a great low-impact sport, making it a perfect option for seniors looking to stay active and social. Join our dedicated senior Pickleball sessions for a friendly and supportive atmosphere.
Pickleball Rules
Pickleball is played either as doubles (two players per team) or singles; doubles is most common. The same size playing area and rules are used for both singles and doubles.
The serve must be made underhand. Paddle contact with the ball must be below the server’s waist or via a dropserve.
The serve is made diagonally crosscourt and must land within the confines of the opposite diagonal court. Serves that land in are played as normal serves.
Service Sequence
Both players on the serving doubles team have the opportunity to serve and score points until they commit a fault (except for the first service of each new game).
The first serve of each side-out is made from the right-hand court. If a point is scored, the server switches sides and the server initiates the next serve from the left-hand court.
When the first server loses the serve the partner then serves from their correct side of the court.
Once the service goes to the opposition at side-out, the first serve is from the right-hand court and both players on that team have the opportunity to serve and score points until their team commits two faults.
Points are scored only by the serving team. Games are normally played to 11 points, win by 2.
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.
After the ball has bounced once in each team’s court, both teams may either volley the ball (hit the ball before it bounces) or play it off a bounce (ground stroke).
The double bounce rule eliminates the serve and volley advantage and extends rallies.
The non-volley zone is the court area within 7 feet on both sides of the net (aka the kitchen).
Volleying is prohibited within the non-volley 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.
A player may legally be in the non-volley zone any time other than when volleying a ball.
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.