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Doubles vs. Singles Pickleball


Doubles pickleball is quickly becoming one of the most popular sports for both older and younger populations. While the fundamentals of pickleball remain the same whether you are playing singles or doubles, there are several key differences between the two formats that can affect your playing strategy and technique. In this post, we'll take a closer look at the rules and strategies of singles and doubles pickleball, so you can be better prepared to play either format.

Court Dimensions and Scoring

In singles pickleball, the court is narrower, measuring 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, while the doubles court is wider, measuring 22 feet wide by 44 feet long. The service court is also smaller in singles, measuring 10 feet wide by 20 feet long, compared to the 10 feet by 22 feet service court in doubles. Additionally, the scoring is different, with singles being played to 11 points, while doubles is played to 15 points.

Serving and Receiving Rules

In singles pickleball, players serve from the right-hand court when they have even scores and from the left-hand court when they have odd scores. The receiver also stands in a specific location based on the server's score, standing behind the baseline on the same side as the server. In doubles pickleball, the serving team always starts on the right-hand side of the court, and the right-side player serves first. After winning a point, the serving team rotates, with the server moving to the left side of the court, and the partner moving to the right side to serve next.

The Unique Scoring Rules of Doubles Pickleball

One of the most notable differences between singles and doubles pickleball is the scoring. In doubles, the score is always called out as three numbers: the serving team's score, the receiving team's score, and the server number. For example, if the serving team has 5 points, the receiving team has 3 points, and the server is on their second serve, the score would be called out as "5-3-2". Additionally, the team only scores a point when serving. If the receiving team wins the point, they don't score, but instead, become the serving team, and only after the second server has served. This unique scoring system can make for exciting, back-and-forth matches, as teams must work hard to maintain their serve and prevent their opponents from scoring.

Differences in Strategy and Technique

Because of the smaller court size in singles pickleball, players need to be more agile and cover more ground. This means playing closer to the baseline and being able to quickly move up to the net to take advantage of shorter shots. In doubles, players need to coordinate with their partner and communicate effectively to cover the entire court and prevent shots from getting past them. There is also more emphasis on teamwork, with players using strategic positioning to set up their partner for successful shots.

Whether you prefer singles or doubles pickleball, understanding the differences between the two formats is crucial to success on the court. Doubles pickleball's unique scoring system adds an extra layer of fun and excitement.

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