Paddle handling rules: one paddle, one or two hands and no carrying the ball
Short answer: Section 12 of the 2026 rulebook allows one paddle per rally, held in one or both hands, with hand switching permitted. You must have possession of the paddle when hitting, and catching or carrying the ball on it is a fault.
- One paddle (12.A). More than one used or carried while the ball is in play is a fault.
- Possession (12.B). You must have possession of the paddle when hitting. Hold it with one or both hands; switch hands at any time.
- Catch or carry (12.C). Fault.
The double-hit rule (continuous, single-direction stroke) is in the 2026 changes article, and equipment limits are in the paddle rules guide.
What section 12 covers
Section 12 of the rulebook is short, but it deals with the one piece of equipment every player holds. It has three rules: you may use only one paddle, you must have possession of it when you hit the ball, and you must not catch or carry the ball on it. Each of them is stated as a rule followed by a matching fault.
One paddle (12.A)
A player must not use or carry more than one paddle during a rally. The fault in 12.A.1 applies when a player uses or carries more than one paddle while the ball is in play. The word "carries" matters: it is not enough to hit the ball with only one of them. Holding a second paddle in the other hand during the rally, for example while tucking it under your arm, is itself the fault.
Possession (12.B)
A player must have possession of the paddle when hitting the ball. The rulebook is explicit that you may hold the paddle with one hand or both hands, and may switch hands at any time. Two-handed grips are therefore legal on both forehands and backhands, and switching a paddle between hands in the middle of a rally is fine. What is not legal is hitting the ball with a paddle you do not hold. A paddle that flies out of your hand and strikes the ball is a fault under 12.B.1, because possession was lost.
Catch or carry (12.C)
A player must not catch or carry a ball on the paddle during a rally. The rulebook states the fault in 12.C.1: when a player catches or carries a ball on their paddle during a rally, it is a fault against the player. Ordinary strokes, where the ball rebounds off the paddle, are not affected.
The equipment rules require paddles to be made of rigid, non-compressible material, so the surface is not meant to trap the ball. See our paddle equipment rules article.
How these differ from the double hit
People often confuse these rules with the double-hit rule. A double hit is about striking the ball twice in one motion, and the 2026 rulebook treats a continuous, single-direction stroke as legal. Catch or carry is about the ball staying on the paddle. See the 2026 rule changes for the double-hit update.
Practical points for players
- Switch hands freely. There is no rule that requires you to use one hand for the whole point.
- Keep a spare paddle off the court, in your bag or on the fence, so that you never "carry" two during a rally.
- If your paddle slips out of your hand and you were not holding it when the ball touched it, the point is lost.
- Check your equipment before tournament play: is your paddle tournament-legal?
How to read the rule numbers
The rulebook pairs each rule with a fault in a consistent pattern. A rule sets the standard (12.A, 12.B, 12.C) and the numbered item under it (12.A.1, 12.B.1, 12.C.1) states the consequence: a fault against the player. Knowing the pattern helps when you look things up. Section 12 covers what a player does with the paddle; section 13, covered in our net rules and net contact articles, covers where the paddle and the player may go relative to the net. Reading the two sections together gives you the full picture of how a player may legally use the paddle during a rally.
When a rules question comes up in a game, the quickest fair approach is to find the rule number, read the actual wording, and settle the point from that. The full text is linked in the sources below, so you do not need to rely on memory or on how it is done at your local courts.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use two hands on my paddle?
Yes. Rule 12.B allows a player to hold the paddle with one or both hands and to switch hands at any time.
Is it a fault to carry a second paddle in my other hand?
Yes. Rule 12.A.1 makes it a fault to use or carry more than one paddle while the ball is in play.
What if my paddle slips out of my hand and hits the ball?
That is a fault under 12.B.1 because you did not have possession of the paddle when it hit the ball.
What is a catch or carry?
Catching or carrying the ball on the paddle during a rally is a fault under 12.C.1.
Sources
Sources checked 14 Oct 2026. Header photo: A player in a gym holding a pickleball paddle, by U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Seung Pyo Shin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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