Ahh… the double hit! It sounds illegal even to pronounce this word.
But guess what, you might be in for a surprise – Whether it is legal to double hit or not in pickleball, it all depends upon how you execute the shot.
What is a double hit?
When the ball contacts the paddle more than once before crossing the net it is considered a double hit.
The Official Pickleball Rulebook – 2025, defines double hit as “Hitting the ball twice before it is returned.”
According to Rule #11.A. from www.usapickleball.org
“Balls can be hit twice, but this must occur during a continuous, single-direction stroke by one player. If the stroke made while performing the serve or during a rally is not continuous, or not in a single direction, or the ball is struck by a second player, it is a fault.”
Let’s dive deep into understanding this rule.
When is double hit considered legal?
- When the ball is hit twice in one smooth stroke
- The second contact with the ball is unintentional
- Player has not manipulated the shot to gain an advantage
- This usually happens when the ball slightly deflects off the paddle before rebounding
When is double hit considered as Illegal?
- When Player is making deliberate second contact with the ball to control or redirect the ball, so it is a fault
- Player moves the paddle after the ball is hit to strike it again the second time
What if in doubles both the partners strike the ball consecutively before it crosses the net?
As per the rule #11A stated above It’ll be a fault.
Let’s understand the legal and illegal double hits with real life examples
Scenario 1: Illegal Double Hit
You are playing the game and the ball comes towards you. You try to reach the ball and somehow hit the ball. But the shot doesn’t have enough power to cross the net. So, you hit it again.
These are two separate strokes. Hence it will be called a fault.
Scenario 2: Legal Double Hit
The player swings the paddle in curved motion, the ball touches slightly at one point and again at another during the same motion of the stroke.
As here it was one continuous stroke and the contact made 2nd time was unintentional. It is a legal shot.
Is Double hit and carry the same?
Nope. They are very different. Carry is when the ball comes in contact with the paddle but instead of bouncing it is carried along the stroke staying in touch with the face of the paddle.
Although you can categorise legal and illegal shots in double hit, carry shot doesn’t qualify for them. Intentional or not, any kind of carry shot is considered a fault.
Conclusion
The Double hit rule discourages manipulation of the shot to gain advantage in the game, ensuring players play clean and controlled strokes and discourages.
However the picklers should take it as responsibility for calling faults on themselves in rec-games to promote honesty and integrity and magnify the fun.
Have you ever called a double hit on yourself or on your opponent? Share your story in the comments below, I’d love to hear it!
