This page outlines the core gameplay rules, league expectations, match structure, and policies that all Honcho players are expected to follow throughout the season.

🏓 Gameplay Rules

1️⃣ Serving

• Serve must be made diagonally and clear the non-volley zone (the kitchen).
• Each player on the serving team continues serving until they commit a fault. After both players have lost their serve, the serve passes to the opposing team.

Exception: On the first service of the game, only one player serves before the serve switches sides.

2️⃣ Volleys

• Volleys are allowed only after the ball has bounced once on each side.
• Players cannot volley from within the kitchen.

3️⃣ Double Bounce Rule

• Both the serve and return must bounce before the ball can be volleyed.

4️⃣ The Kitchen

• A 7-foot area on both sides of the net.
• You cannot volley the ball (hit it in the air before bouncing) while touching the Non-Volley Zone. However, you may: (1) hit volleys from outside the Non-Volley Zone, (2) hit the ball after it bounces while in the Non-Volley Zone, and (3) stand in the Non-Volley Zone without volleying, including when your partner hits a volley.

5️⃣ Scoring

• Games are played to 11, win by 2.
• Some venues use a best-of-3 format (PKL Social, Dropshots, and People's Court).
• Only the serving team can score points.