PLAY PICKLEBALL

at the Alexandria Area YMCA

Pickleball is a fun sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It's easy for beginners of all ages to learn and can be played singles or doubles. The Alexandria Area YMCA is the perfect place for all skill levels to get in on the action!

 

OPEN PLAY HOURS

Open play is open to all ages and skill levels. YMCA members can play for free. Non-members must purchase a day pass.

 

Open Play Returns September 2026!
Tuesday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Wednesday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Thursday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

 

 

group of friends playing pickleball
pickleball lessons at the YMCA

Beginner Pickleball Lessons

Ready to jump into America’s fastest-growing sport? Join us at the Alexandria Area YMCA for a fun, welcoming 4-week introductory course.

Learn More

THE RULES:

  • Pickleball is played as either doubles or singles; doubles is most common.
  • The same-sized playing area and rules are used for both singles and doubles.
  • Serves must be made underhand.
  • Serves are initiated with both feet behind the baseline; neither foot may touch the baseline or court until after the ball is struck.
  • Serves are made diagonally crosscourt and must land within the confines of the opposite diagonal court.
  • Only 1 serve attempt is allowed, except in the event of a let (the ball touches the net on the serve and lands on the proper service court; let serves are replayed.
  • Both players on the serving doubles team have the opportunity to serve and score points until they commit a fault (except for the 1st service sequence of each new game).
  • If a point is scored, the server switches sides and the server initiates the next serve from the left/odd court.
  • When the first server loses the serve, the partner then serves from their correct side of the court (except for the 1st service sequence of the game).
  • The second server continues serving until their team commits a fault and loses the serve to the opposing team.
  • Points are scored only by the serving team.
  • Games are normally played to 11 pts, win by 2 pts.
  • When the serving team’s score is even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) the player who was the first server is the game for that team will be in the right/even court when serving or receiving; when odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) that player will be in the left/odd court when serving or receiving.
  • 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 non-volley zone, commonly referred to as “the kitchen,” is the court area within 5 feet of the net on both sides.
  • 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.
  • It is a fault if, after volleying, a player is carried by momentum into or touches the non-volley zone.
  • A player may legally be in the non-volley zone any time other than when volleying a ball.

QUESTIONS?

Please contact Jeni Sorensen at jsorensen@alexandriaymca.com or (320) 834-9622.