Pickleball Doubles Rules Explained: Everything You Need to Know

Pickleball doubles is one of the most exciting and strategic variations of the sport. With two players on each side of the court, teamwork, communication, and positioning become just as important as skill. Whether you're new to the game or looking to refine your knowledge, this guide will break down the essential pickleball doubles rules, ensuring you're ready to play like a pro.

The Basics of Pickleball Doubles

In doubles pickleball, each team consists of two players, with one positioned on the left side (even court) and the other on the right side (odd court). The game follows the same fundamental rules as singles but has some key differences, especially regarding serving, scoring, and positioning.

Court Dimensions and Equipment

The court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, the same as in singles.
A pickleball net stands 34 inches high at the center and 36 inches at the sidelines.
Players use a paddle and a plastic perforated ball, which differs from tennis balls in terms of bounce and speed.

Serving Rules in Doubles

Serving is crucial in pickleball doubles, and it follows specific rules that ensure fairness.

How to Serve in Doubles

Underhand Only: The ball must be served with an underhand motion, with the paddle making contact below the waist.
Diagonal Serve: The serve must land diagonally in the opponent's service court, beyond the non-volley zone.
One Serve Attempt: Each server gets one chance to make a legal serve (except in the case of a let serve, where the ball clips the net but still lands in the correct service court).

The Two-Serve Rule

Both players on a team get to serve before the serve switches to the opposing team.
The first server starts from the right-hand side of the court and serves to the opponent’s diagonal service box.
If the serving team wins a rally, they switch sides and the same player serves again.
If they lose the rally, the second teammate gets a turn to serve from their current position.
Once both players lose a rally on their serve, the opposing team gains the serve (called a side-out).

Exception for First Serve of the Game

At the beginning of the game, only one player on the starting team serves before a side-out occurs. This is to balance the advantage of serving first.

The Two-Bounce Rule

This is one of the most fundamental rules in pickleball.

After the serve, the receiving team must let the ball bounce before returning it.
The serving team must also let the return bounce before hitting it.
After these two required bounces, both teams can volley the ball (hit it out of the air) as long as they are not in the non-volley zone.

This rule prevents aggressive smashes right after the serve and promotes fair rallies.

The Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen) Rule

The non-volley zone, also known as the kitchen, is the 7-foot area on both sides of the net where players cannot volley the ball (hit it before it bounces).

You cannot step into the kitchen while volleying.
If your momentum carries you into the kitchen after a volley, it’s a fault.
However, you can step into the kitchen if the ball has bounced before you hit it.
Many doubles strategies involve dinking, which is a soft shot hit into the opponent’s kitchen to keep them from attacking.

Scoring in Pickleball Doubles

Scoring in pickleball doubles is unique and follows a rally-based system.

How to Keep Score

Points can only be scored by the serving team.
Games are typically played to 11 points, and a team must win by at least two points.
A score is announced in three numbers: serving team's score, receiving team's score, and server number (1 or 2).

Example:
If the score is 5-3-2, it means:

The serving team has 5 points.
The receiving team has 3 points.
The server is the second player on the serving team.
Winning the Game
Most games are played to 11 points, win by 2.
In tournaments, games may go up to 15 or 21 points.

Common Faults and Violations

To play an error-free game, you should avoid these common faults:

Serving into the net or out of bounds
Volleying the ball while standing in the kitchen
Not letting the ball bounce during the two-bounce rule phase
Hitting the ball out of bounds
Failing to serve diagonally into the correct service court
Touching the net during play

Pickleball Doubles Strategies for Winning

Beyond knowing the rules, having a smart game strategy can make a big difference in doubles play.

1. Communicate Constantly with Your Partner

Clear and constant communication is one of the most overlooked aspects of a strong doubles game. Unlike singles, where you rely solely on your own judgment, in doubles, you need to work in sync with your partner.

Pro Tip: Silence during play often leads to hesitation and missed opportunities. Talk early and often!

2. Control the Kitchen Line (Non-Volley Zone)

The most dominant teams in pickleball control the net. The closer you and your partner are to the kitchen line, the better your chances of dictating the pace of the game.

Pro Tip: If one partner is at the kitchen and the other is stuck at the baseline, you’re leaving gaps that the opponents can exploit. Move up as a unit!

3. Master the Art of Dinking

Dinking is a soft, controlled shot that lands in the opponent’s non-volley zone (kitchen), making it difficult for them to attack. A strong dinking game keeps rallies going while forcing mistakes from your opponents.

Pro Tip: The best teams engage in long dink rallies before going for the winning shot. Don’t rush—wait for the right moment.

4. Target Your Opponent’s Weaknesses

Every player has a weakness, whether it’s a weak backhand, slow reaction time, or difficulty with low balls. The key to winning in pickleball doubles is to identify and exploit those weaknesses.

Pro Tip: Watch your opponents warm up—you can often spot weaknesses before the game even starts!

5. Stay Side-by-Side with Your Partner

Proper positioning is critical in pickleball doubles. If you and your partner are out of sync, you create large gaps in the court that your opponents can exploit.

Pro Tip: If your opponent loves to aim for the middle, try using the phrase "Yours!" or "Mine!" early to avoid hesitation.

Differences Between Singles and Doubles Pickleball

While both formats follow many of the same rules, doubles pickleball has key differences:

Aspect	Singles	Doubles
Court Coverage	One player covers the entire court	Two players share court responsibility
Scoring Format	Two-number score (e.g., 5-3)	Three-number score (e.g., 5-3-2)
Strategy	More running and covering space	More teamwork and coordination
Pace of Play	Faster-paced rallies	More controlled dinks and teamwork

Pickleball doubles is a fun, strategic, and highly engaging version of the game. By mastering the serving rules, kitchen rules, scoring system, and teamwork strategies, you’ll not only follow the official rules but also gain a competitive edge.

Now that you understand the pickleball doubles rules, grab your paddle, find a partner, and start enjoying one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.