Player's Guide to Pickleball Canada Club Pickleball All Ages 2026

The non-volley zone, or kitchen, is the 7-foot by 20-foot area next to the net on each side (2.13 m by 6.08 m). The lines bounding it are part of the zone.

From section 11 of the 2026 rulebook:

• All volleys must be started outside the zone. You, or anything in contact with you, may touch the zone at any time except while volleying a ball.
• Fault: you (or anything touching you, including your partner) contact the zone while volleying.
• Fault: your momentum from a volley carries you into the zone, or into anything (including your partner) touching the zone, even after the ball is dead.
• Fault: after touching the zone, you volley before both feet are completely outside it.

You can stand in the zone at any time and can play a ball that has already bounced from there. The zone is two-dimensional and does not extend above the playing surface.

Rule 10.A of the 2026 rulebook: the serve and the return of serve must each bounce before being returned.

• If the receiver hits the serve before it bounces, it is a fault against the receiver.
• If the server or the server's partner hits the return of serve before it bounces, it is a fault against the serving side.
• After those two bounces, volleys (hitting the ball before it bounces) are allowed, subject to the non-volley zone rules.

Separately, a player must return the ball before it bounces a second time (rule 10.B), otherwise it is a fault against that player.

From section 5 of the 2026 rulebook (standard scoring):

• Both players on a team serve before a side out, except at the start of each game, when only the starting server serves (as second server) before the side out.
• After each side out, service begins with the player correctly positioned on the right side according to the team's score. That player is the first server for that service rotation and their partner is the second server.
• The first server serves, alternating between right and left serving areas after each point won, until the team loses a rally. The serve then passes to the second server, who does the same until the team loses a rally, which is a side out.
• Position is set by the team's score: the starting server is on the right when the team's score is zero or even and on the left when it is odd. Their partner is on the opposite side.
• Apart from serving and receiving, players may stand anywhere on their own side of the net while the ball is live.
• Before the serve, you may ask your opponent who the correct server or receiver is, or whether players are in the correct positions.
• If a player stops a rally to claim a server, receiver or position error and the claim is correct, the rally is replayed. If the claim is wrong, it is a fault against the player who stopped play. If the error is only found after the rally is completed, the result stands.

From rule 6.B of the 2026 rulebook (standard scoring):

• The server normally calls the score, as three numbers: serving team's score, receiving team's score, then server number (1 or 2). A game starts at "zero - zero - two".
• If the server cannot call the score, the server's partner may, and the same player must call it for the whole game unless their voice becomes impaired.
• The whole score must be called before the serve is hit. Serving while the score is being called is a fault against the server.
• The server must serve within 10 seconds after the score call is completed, or it is a fault.
• Before the score is called, any player may signal "not ready" by raising the paddle above the head, raising the non-paddle hand above the head, or completely turning their back to the net.
• Before the serve, a player may ask the opponent for the correct score. To challenge a score call mid-rally, you must stop play before the return of serve is hit. If the call was wrong the rally is replayed; if it was right, it is a fault against you.

Singles scores are called as two numbers: server's score, then receiver's score.

Standard scoring: a point is scored only by the serving side winning the rally. Typically the first player or team to score 11 points and lead by at least 2 points wins the game.

Tournaments (2026 rulebook, section 15): all scoring options are win by two points. Match formats include best 2-of-3 or 3-of-5 games to 11, or a single game to 11, 15 or 21 points. Win by one point is allowed only for team play.

Rally scoring (provisional rule 14.A): may be used for singles and doubles. A point is scored by whichever side wins each rally. In doubles only one player on a team serves before a side out, and the score is called as two numbers (server's score, then receiver's score).

From section 8 of the 2026 rulebook:

• You make the "out" calls for all lines on your end of the court. In doubles, either partner may make the call.
• Benefit of the doubt goes to the opponent. Any ball that cannot be promptly called "out" must be considered "in", and you must not call "out" unless you can clearly see a space between the line and the ball when it lands.
• Signal "out" promptly by voice, hand signal or both. A line call makes the ball dead.
• A served ball that lands on the non-volley zone line is "out".
• If doubles partners disagree, the team's call is "in".
• You may override your partner's call, your own call, or an "in" ruling to your own disadvantage.
• You may ask the opponent's opinion on a call you are responsible for, up until the next serve is hit. If they make a clear "in" or "out" decision, it stands.
• Spectators must not be consulted on any call.

From rule 3.D of the 2026 rulebook:

• Size: length plus width, including any edge guard and butt cap, must not exceed 24 inches (60.96 cm). Paddle length must not exceed 17 inches (43.18 cm). No limit on thickness or weight.
• Markings: a clear brand and model name or number, plus the USA Pickleball Approved seal or text treatment. Older paddles made before that requirement must still be on the approved list for sanctioned play.
• Material: rigid, non-compressible material.
• Hitting surface must not have: holes, cracks, delamination or dents that break the surface; rough texturing; sandpaper characteristics; natural or synthetic rubber; moving parts that increase head momentum; anti-skid or textured paint or anything adding spin; or a reflective finish that could affect opponents' vision.
• Allowed changes: edge guard tape, weighted tape, adding or removing weights on an integrated weight system, replacing original grips or interchangeable faces, name decals, grip inserts, grip wrap, and handwritten pen identification marks. Decals and tape must not extend more than 1 inch above the top of the grip or more than 0.5 inch inside the paddle edge.

Pickleball Canada checks paddles against the USA Pickleball approved paddle list and balls against the USA Pickleball approved ball list.

Paddle status for sanctioned events:

• PASS: approved for Pickleball Canada play, in tournaments and regular play.
• FAIL: has not met all paddle specifications in rule 2.E and cannot be used in a Pickleball Canada sanctioned tournament.
• Not Tested: not submitted to USA Pickleball, so not approved for sanctioned play in Canada.

Checks under the 2026 rulebook (rule 18.A): you must confirm your paddle is on the approved list.

• Found non-compliant before the match: you switch to a compliant paddle with no penalty.
• Found non-compliant during play: you forfeit the match.
• Found non-compliant after the match ends: the result stands.

Approved balls are listed on the USA Pickleball ball list; any approved ball may be used indoors or outdoors.

Questions about approved equipment: tournaments@pickleballcanada.org. Source: https://pickleballcanada.org/tournaments/approved-paddles-and-balls/

Standard time-outs (2026 rulebook, rule 21.A): two per singles player or doubles team for each 11-point or 15-point game, and three for a 21-point game. Each lasts a maximum of one minute.

• You cannot call one before the match starts.
• Call it between rallies, before the next serve, audibly or with a hand signal, directed at the opponents and the referee. Calling it after the serve is hit is a fault against you.
• Between games you may use one or both standard time-outs before the next game starts.

Medical time-out: one per match, requested by a player needing medical attention, including between games. It cannot be called before the match starts.

Change of ends (rule 21.B, single-game matches and tie-breaker games):

• Game to 11: change ends when the first player or team reaches 6.
• Game to 15: change ends at 8.
• Game to 21: change ends at 11.
• Changing ends takes a maximum of one minute, and the same server continues.

DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) is the official rating system for all Pickleball Canada sanctioned events. Ratings are built from matches recorded in DUPR.

• CTPR is gone: the older CTPR rating was permanently discontinued as of November 2025, and CTPR ratings were not transferred to DUPR.
• Members: Pickleball Canada members are registered in DUPR at signup. You can activate the account for tournament play or for a ladder or league. Members who do not activate appear as non-rated (NR).
• Sanctioned tournaments: you must link your DUPR account to your pickleball.com account, or the tournament director cannot upload results. After linking, turn on DUPR sharing and send results (this can be done after the event ends).
• Keeping a rating accurate: play DUPR events regularly, because how recent your matches are is a key factor in the algorithm. You can request a rating review through DUPR's player support requests page.
• Recreational players: you are encouraged to create a free DUPR profile but do not need to enter scores or use it.
• Club tournaments: only sanctioned events must use DUPR. Club-run tournaments are not required to, though it is recommended.

Source: Pickleball Canada DUPR FAQ, https://pickleballcanada.org/tournaments/dupr-frequently-asked-questions/