Play begins with the server standing in the Service Zone and serving the ball to his/her opponent(s). To serve, the server must first bounce the ball and then strike it with the racquet. The ball is put into play after making contact with the Front Wall first and then passing into the rear half of the court. In its flight, the ball may strike one side wall, but no more. If it hits three surfaces including the ceiling or back wall before bouncing, the serve is not good (called a fault) and the ball is not in play.

Also, a serve that does not carry beyond the Short Line of the Service Zone is also not good (called a fault). Additionally, the ball cannot hit a side wall, floor or ceiling before the Front Wall when attempting to serve. The server is given two opportunities to put the ball into play. If the server hits two faults in a row, the player returning serve takes over in the Service Zone and the original server assumes the Return of Serve position.

To return serve, stand in the middle of the court (equal distance between each side wall) approximately one arm and racquets length away from the Back Wall. Return serve by striking the ball before the second bounce. The ball must travel to the Front Wall for it to be a good return of serve. The ball may hit ANY surface except the floor on the return as long as it hits the Front Wall before bouncing.

Once the ball is in play, each player alternates hitting the ball until one misses the ball or hits an illegal shot. Players try to earn points or win the serve by putting an end to the rally. This is done when a player hits a shot so that the ball bounces twice before their opponent can return it either by hitting the ball away from their opponent or hitting the front wall at its lowest point, causing the ball to roll out, rather than bounce back into the playing area (called a Kill Shot or Roll Out). Points are also earned when rallies end with an error, or a "Skip Ball," i.e. when the ball makes contact with the floor before reaching the Front Wall.
Once the ball is in play, the walls and ceiling can be used for shot variations. Points are scored when, after serving the ball, the server wins the rally. If the player returning serve wins the rally, the result is a Side out, and no points are scored for either player and the player who won the rally now gets to serve. Whoever wins the rally always serves next. Matches are typically two games to 15 points and a tiebreaker to 11 points if needed.