Double Hit Fault
Also known as: double contact, two hits
A double hit fault occurs when a player makes two clearly separate hitting motions at the ball in the same point of contact — an unintentional double touch within one continuous stroke is generally treated differently and is not automatically a fault.
A double hit describes the ball contacting a paddle more than once before crossing back over the net. The key distinction is whether the extra contact happened within a single, continuous swinging motion — such as an awkward bounce off the paddle edge that is immediately followed by the face on the same stroke — or whether the player took two distinct, separate attempts to direct the ball, effectively swinging twice. The first case is generally treated as incidental and not penalized; the second is a fault.
Double hits are most common on mishit dinks and resets, where a fast or oddly angled ball clips the paddle frame or edge before the face makes proper contact, all within the same unbroken swing. Because this happens quickly and close to the body, it can be difficult for an opponent to judge in real time whether the contact was one continuous motion or two deliberate attempts.
A doubles team should also distinguish a double hit fault from a legal, sequential rally shot — if a ball is returned, crosses the net, and a player legitimately swings at it again on a later shot in the same rally, that is not a double hit at all, just normal play. The fault only applies to contact happening within what is judged as a single attempt to return one ball.
Example
A player mishits a fast dink off the paddle edge, and the ball immediately catches the face on the same continuous swing before crossing the net — this is treated as incidental contact, not a fault.
Why it matters
Knowing the difference between an incidental double touch and a deliberate second swing prevents unnecessary disputes over close, fast contact at the net.
Common mistakes
- Assuming any paddle-edge mishit is automatically a fault, regardless of whether it was one continuous motion
- Taking a visible second swing at a ball that was not cleanly struck the first time
Frequently asked questions
Is it always a fault if the ball touches my paddle twice?
Not necessarily. If both contacts happen within one continuous swinging motion, it is generally treated as incidental rather than a fault. It becomes a fault when the player makes two clearly separate, deliberate attempts to hit the ball.
How is a double hit different from a carry?
A carry is one prolonged contact where the ball rolls or rests on the paddle face before releasing. A double hit is two distinct touches of the paddle against the ball, whether incidental within one swing or from two separate attempts.
Related terms
- Carry (Illegal Hit)A carry is an illegal hit where the ball is scooped, slung, or held on the paddle face for an extended moment rather than struck with a single, clean, distinct contact.
- Reset MechanicsReset mechanics are the specific technique elements — soft hands, open paddle face, forward body position, and minimal backswing — that convert a hard-incoming ball into an unattackable kitchen drop.
- Soft HandsSoft hands is the ability to absorb pace from an incoming ball by relaxing the grip slightly at impact, converting a hard shot into a controlled, softly placed return.
- VolleyA volley is any shot hit out of the air before the ball bounces. In pickleball it must be struck while standing outside the kitchen — the non-volley zone — making footwork and position as important as stroke mechanics.
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