Official Rules of Pickle Bucket Backyard Game

Game Setup:  Locate an area of level ground that is a minimum of 20’ x 9’.  Place the bucket down on the ground.  Use the boundary line to measure out a 9 ft distance and then place the boundary line perpendicular to make the 9 ft boundary line with the bucket located at the middle.  Next, place the 1st spot just behind the boundary line.  Use the 21.75” side buffer line in the middle perpendicular to the boundary line to mark the distance between each spot.  Lay them in a line in ascending order as you move away from the bucket.  Place the buffer line and place it perpendicular to one side of the boundary line.  Now that the game is marked off, you just need two pickleball paddles and one pickleball to play.

Traditional Team Rules: The game has two teams of two players each. The team who goes first has one player behind the bucket and is labeled the “bucket” and one player who starts at the #1 spot labeled the “spot”. The spots are labeled with an “S” to determine when the “spot” serves the ball, which occurs on the odd numbered spots. The “bucket” will serve when the teammate is on the even numbered spots. The server hits the ball underhand into the bucket. The partner or “bucket” may tap the ball in or let the ball go if it looks like it will go in the bucket.  If a ball goes in and stays in, it is worth two points. If the ball hits the bucket in the air before hitting the ground, then it is worth one point. Repeat the roles one more time at that position. The total possible points is 4 for this round. The team steps off to the side to give the other team a minimum buffer of 4 ½ feet. The opposing team then gets a turn from the #1 spot. This concludes the 1st round.The spot number indicates how many volleys the partners will hit back and forth. However, if the “bucket” taps the ball to help it go in, this is not counted as an extra volley. The same player will be the “bucket” and the same player will be the “spot” for the first five rounds.

The 2nd round is played like the first round, except the server will be the “bucket” since the spot is marked with an even number. Again, the partner may let the ball go if it looks like it will go in or he/she can tap the ball in. The scoring remains the same: 2 points for in the bucket and 1 point for hitting the bucket. The roles are repeated for two chances to score. The total possible points is 4 for this round as well.

The opposing team then gets a turn. This concludes the 2nd round. The 3rd and 4th rounds are played the same way as the 2nd round except with 3 and 4 volleys, respectively. However, if the team does not score during a round, then play resumes from the spot they were at previously. 

The “spot” must start at the designated spot but may move to return their next volley. However, the “spot’s” feet may never cross the boundary or side buffer lines or their attempt is forfeited. The “bucket” must start at the bucket (to the side or behind) but may move as needed to hit the ball. However, if the “bucket” knocks over the bucket with their body or paddle, then that attempt is forfeited. The "bucket" may hit the ball once after the "spot" hits the ball against the bucket. However, each player may only make one swing attempt towards the ball when it is his/her turn to strike the ball.

The 5th round is the last round for the players at their respective positions. If your team scored on every round, then you would end play at the 5th spot. If you did not score every round, then play could be ended an an earlier spot. 

Teams switch positions. The “spot” becomes the “bucket” and the “bucket” becomes the “spot”. Now the “spot” will serve from the 1st spot and will get two attempts. The opposing team then gets a turn. The next round is at the 2nd spot where there will be two attempts before the opposing team gets a turn. If a team does not score from their spot, then they will resume play from that spot on the next round. Play will continue until five rounds have concluded. If your team scored on all four rounds, then you would end play on the 5th spot. There are 10 rounds of the game and the total possible points is 40 points. The highest scoring team wins. If there is a tie, then the game goes into overtime. Another way to force overtime is for the losing team to hit it in the bucket from the 5th spot (or an agreed upon spot number prior to play) unassisted on their last attempt. The team may determine who takes the shot.

Overtime Team Rules:
Each team will choose a “spot” and “bucket” person. The game is played one round at a time with only one attempt from each team. If one team scores more than another, then the game is over. If there is a tie, then the 2nd round is played. If a winner has not been named after the 5th round, then the “spot” and “bucket” switch positions and the play is walked back in from spot #5 to #1 until a winner is named.

Advanced Team Rules: If players are consistent with their volleys and placement, they would benefit from advanced rules. The main difference from advanced team rules and traditional is that play always moves to the next spot each round regardless if your team scored. Play will start at the 1st spot with two attempts. The next round will be at the 2nd spot, then 3rd, 4th, and 5th.

The 5th round is played the same way as the previous rounds and has 5 volleys from the furthest distance. However, the scoring is doubled for this round and for this round only. If you hit the bucket then it is worth 2 points and if the ball goes in it is worth 4 points. However, each team will get only one attempt from this position instead of the normal two attempts.

Teams switch positions. The “spot” becomes the “bucket” and the “bucket” becomes the “spot”. Now the “spot” will serve from the 5th spot for another double point round. Again, there will only be one attempt from this position. The opposing team then gets a turn. The next round is walked back to the 4th spot where there will be two attempts before the opposing team gets a turn. Play will continue until the game finishes at the #1 spot. There are 10 rounds of the game and the total possible points is 40 points. The highest scoring team wins. If there is a tie, then the game goes into overtime. Another way to force overtime is for the losing team to hit it in the bucket from the 5 spot unassisted on their last attempt. The team may determine who takes the shot.

*One team may play “traditional” and the other team may play "advanced". This will even the playing field and the rules you want applied should be agreed upon before play begins. If the advanced rules are not challenging enough for a team, then they can choose to have the "spot" alternate forehand and backhand during the rally.

Two Player Cooperative Rules: Work on your team chemistry by playing cooperatively without opponents. This game is played exactly like the 4 player game. Play for fun or try to set a new high score!

Traditional Head to Head Rules:
All shots are simply serves into the bucket. They must be underhand and the ball must be hit with an upward trajectory. The 1st spot is placed on the normal location. Players may choose to play traditional and keep the remaining spots where they are or they may alternate turns placing the remaining four spots.
1st attempt: The “bucket” must stand off to the side to allow the spot a free shot at the bucket. If the ball hits the bucket, it is worth one point and if it goes in the bucket, it is worth two points.
2nd attempt: The “bucket” may block it, but it still gives your opponent a point but possibly saves them from getting 2 points. If you hit the ball, but it still goes in, your opponent is awarded two points.The “bucket” must stand to the side or behind the bucket and may not block the server’s view of the bucket with the body or the paddle before the serve occurs.
Play then alternates with the opposition switching positions. There are no double point rounds and play ends after the 5th round. The highest score is 20 points. 
Note: An easier variation is for a beginning player to not move back to a further spot if he/she did not score the round before.

Overtime Head to Head Rules:
The game is played one round at a time with two attempts from each player. The first is unguarded and the 2nd attempt is guarded by the “bucket”. If one player scores more than another, then the game is over. If there is a tie, then the 2nd round is played. If a winner has not been named after the 5th round, then you repeat play for double overtime.

Intermediate Variation for Head to Head Rules:
The spot number tells you how many self volleys you hit. For example if you are on the #2 spot, you must hit the ball up in the air once before hitting again towards the bucket. Players may choose to walk in after the first self-volley, but may not cross the boundary line. The rest of the rules are the same as the traditional rules with the 1st attempt being unguarded and the 2nd attempt being guarded by the “bucket”. Play ends after the 5th round and the highest score is 20 points.

Advanced Variation for Head to Head Rules:
The spot number tells you how many self volleys you hit. You must alternate forehand/backhand for the self volleys. The 1st attempt is unguarded by the “bucket” as he/she stands off to the side. However, you may may not move forward to make it an easier shot. During the 2nd attempt, self volleys are alternated with the forehand and backhand, but you may choose to move in closer to get an easier shot. The 2nd attempt is guarded by the “bucket” and the remaining rules are the same as the traditional rules. Play ends after the 5th round and the highest score is 20 points.

Three Player Rules:
The rules are similar to the traditional team rules. However, there will only be one attempt at each spot. While player A is the “bucket”, player B will serve from the 1st spot followed by player C. Then player B will be the “bucket”, while player A serves from the 1st spot followed by player C. Then player C will be the “bucket”, while player A serves from the 1st spot followed by player B. Player A will then be the “bucket” again while the other players each take a turn from the 2nd spot. There will be two volleys from this position, but again, only one attempt for each player. Play continues until the double point round at the 5th spot and the highest score is 48 points.

Pickle BucketTM Terms:
The person standing by the bucket is called the “bucket”.
The person standing on a spot is called the “spot”.
If you are scoreless after 10 rounds of team play or 5 rounds in head to head, you have been “pickled''.
If you make a bucket in the 5th round of team play, you call it a “double bucket”.
If you score every round you are on a “bucket streak”.
If you score a perfect 40 points in the team play, 20 points in head to head, or 48 points in three players, you scored an “ultimate bucket”.