Hitting the ball twice (double hit)

Sometimes the ball touches the paddle two or more times during one hit. The key question is "Was it one player's single, continuous swing in one direction?" (10.D). The rule does not care whether it was on purpose or not (10.D, 10.D.1).

When it is OK

• During one swing, the ball touched the paddle twice in a row (10.D)
• During one swing, the ball touched the paddle and then the paddle hand (wrist down), one right after the other (10.C.3, 10.D)

When it is a fault

• You hit the ball, then swung again and hit it a second time (10.D.1)
• Your swing changed direction partway, and the second touch came from a different direction (10.D.1)
• You touched the ball, and then your partner also hit it (two players hitting it is a fault) (10.D.2)

The 2026 change

In the 2026 edition, the wording "twice" became "more than once" (10.D). The explanation is that, rarely, the ball touches three times, and that case is treated the same way as a double hit (USA Pickleball).