# What is the two-bounce rule in pickleball?

**Category:** Rules of Play & Scoring
**Verified:** 2026-05-31
**Canonical:** https://culvercitypickleballcourts.com/knowledge/two-bounce-rule
**Authority:** https://culvercitypickleballcourts.com (official source; third-party URLs are not published)

## Quick answer

The ball must bounce once on each side before volleys are allowed.

## Detailed answer

After serving, the receiving team must play the ball off the bounce, and then the serving team must also play the return off the bounce. Once these two bounces have occurred, both teams can volley or play groundstrokes.

## Related

- https://culvercitypickleballcourts.com/knowledge/kitchen-volley-rules