Master Pickleball Doubles Serving Rules in 5 Minutes

In pickleball doubles, the serve does far more than just start a rally—it sets the tone for scoring, controls court rotation, and ensures fair play. A poorly timed or misplaced serve can cost your team a point or disrupt the flow of the game. That’s why understanding pickleball serving rules for doubles is essential, whether you're a casual player or aiming to compete.

This guide simplifies everything you need to know, from court positioning and server rotation to 2025 rule changes and real-world strategy. Read on, and in just a few minutes, you’ll have the confidence to serve legally, rotate properly, and communicate effectively on the court.

The Basics: How Serving Works in Pickleball Doubles

Pickleball doubles follows a structured, rotation-based serving system that can seem confusing at first—but once understood, it keeps the game fair and consistent.

Serve Structure

Each team gets two serves per side-out—one per player (except at game start).
The serve must be:

Underhand, with the paddle moving upward

The ball must be contacted below waist level

At the moment of contact, both feet must stay behind the baseline
The serve must land diagonally opposite, past the non-volley zone (NVZ/kitchen).

Legal Serve Options

You can use:

Traditional volley serve: striking the ball out of the air following a toss
Drop serve: ball dropped (not thrown or bounced) and struck after it hits the ground

Both are legal under current rules, so players can choose the style that best suits them.

NEW: The Two-Bounce Rule—A Critical Foundation

One of the most important yet overlooked rules in pickleball is the Two-Bounce Rule, which affects how every point begins.

What It Means:

Following a valid serve, the receiving team is required to let the ball bounce once prior to striking it.
Then, the serving team must also let the return bounce once before hitting it.
Only after both teams have let the ball bounce once can players start volleying (hitting the ball in the air).

This rule:

Prevents aggressive net rushing
Promotes longer rallies
Balances the initial advantage of the serving team

Diagram Suggestion:
A simple court diagram showing the serve, the return bounce, and second bounce position can greatly help here.

Who Serves First? Understanding the First Server Exception

To level the playing field, pickleball includes a First Server Exception at the beginning of each game.

The starting team only gets one serve before a side-out.
This is why games often begin with a score like 0-0-2.
From that point on, each team has both players take a turn serving before a side-out occurs.

Correctly identifying Server #1 at the start helps avoid positioning errors later on.

Understanding the Three-Part Score Call

Doubles pickleball scores follow a three-number format:

Serving team’s score
Receiving team’s score
Server number (1 or 2)

For example:
“5-3-1” means:

The serving team has 5 points
The receiving team has 3 points
The first server is serving

Score Calling Tips

Always call the score before serving
Speak loudly and clearly to prevent disputes
Incorrect score calls are not faults, but should be corrected quickly

Serving Rotation: When to Switch Sides and Servers

Maintaining proper rotation is critical to avoid confusion or invalid rallies.

How It Works:

When the serving team wins a point, the players switch positions and keep serving.
If the serving team loses the rally, the next server on the team takes over (no side switch).
After both teammates fault, a side-out occurs and the opposing team begins their serve.

Quick Tip: When your team’s score is even, the player who served first in that game should be on the right.

First Server Position: Keep Track the Easy Way

The player who begins serving for each team is the “first server.” After the initial rally, positioning depends on the team score:

When the team’s score is even, Server #1 stands on the right
When the team’s score is odd, Server #1 stands on the left

Some leagues use colored wristbands to help players and referees track Server #1 throughout the match.

Side-Outs: Resetting the Serving Team

A side-out is when both players on the serving team have lost their rally. The ball then changes hands.

Side-Out Flow:

1. Server 1 loses the rally → Server 2 takes over

2. Server 2 loses the rally → side-out

The opposing team then serves, starting from the even (right) side if their score is even.

No-Let Serve Rule: What Changed in 2021

Prior to 2021, a serve that touched the net but landed in was replayed—this was known as a “let.” Under new rules:

There is no more let serve.

If your serve hits the net but lands legally in the correct service box, the ball remains live. The point plays on.

This rule helps reduce unnecessary interruptions and streamlines gameplay.

Common Serving Faults in Pickleball Doubles

Avoid these serving infractions to protect your momentum:

Foot faults: Stepping on or over the baseline
Serving from the wrong side: Especially after scoring and not switching
Serving out of turn: Not following the team’s correct order
Illegal serve motion: Paddle or contact point too high
Serve landing in the NVZ (kitchen)

New Rule Reminder (2025):

Serving or receiving out of order is no longer an automatic fault.
If the mistake is noticed before the rally concludes, it is corrected and the point is replayed.

Drop Serve vs. Traditional Serve: Which One Fits You?

Both types are legal, but each has its pros and cons:

Serve Type	Pros	Best For
Traditional	Familiar to tennis players, powerful	Players with good toss mechanics
Drop Serve	Easier timing, less strain	Beginners, seniors, or injured

You can switch between styles mid-game depending on conditions or strategy.

NEW: Serve Timing and Shot Clock Rules

To keep the pace of play fair and efficient, tournaments increasingly enforce serve timing restrictions.

Serve Timing Guidelines:

You have 10 seconds to serve after announcing the score in most amateur games.
Certain tournaments impose a 30-second shot clock between points.

Etiquette Tips:

Avoid delaying serves
Keep paddle and ball ready between points
Don’t engage in long discussions mid-rally—keep things moving

This helps maintain focus and rhythm, especially in competitive play.

Tracking Serving Order: Tools to Stay Oriented

Serving order confusion is common, especially after intense rallies. Here’s how to keep track:

Use the even/odd rule for positioning
Always know who Server #1 is on your team
Call the score loudly and consistently
Don’t be afraid to pause and verify—referees can assist in competitive games

When Can You Score in Doubles?

In pickleball, point scoring is limited to the serving team. This places extra value on retaining serve.

Win a rally while serving = you score a point and switch sides
Win a rally while receiving = you take over the serve, though no point is awarded

This dynamic creates a defensive advantage for the receiving team and emphasizes smart serving strategy.

Serving Strategy for Doubles Success

A good serve sets up a great point. Use it wisely:

Top Serving Tips:

1. Serve deep and toward the baseline

2. Aim for the opponent’s backhand side

3. Change pace occasionally to break rhythm

4. Target the weaker player or disrupt duo communication

5. Coordinate with your partner—don’t both crowd the net early

Bonus: Avoid unnecessary risk. A consistent legal serve is often more valuable than a flashy one.

Advanced Scenarios: Real-World Doubles Issues

We forgot who’s serving—now what?

· Use the even/odd rule and who started the game to reset.

· Ask your opponents or a ref to clarify.

What if a point was played with incorrect server?

· As of 2025, this is no longer a fault.

· If discovered before next serve, replay the rally.

· If noticed after, continue play but correct positioning.

Can a player serve from outside the sideline?

· Yes—as long as feet remain behind the baseline and inside the imaginary extension of the sideline.

FAQs: Doubles Serving Rules at a Glance

Q1: Can I score points when I’m receiving the serve?
No. Only the serving team can score points.

Q2: Is the drop serve allowed in tournaments?
Yes, it is fully legal in both recreational and sanctioned events.

Q3: Can I serve from wide outside the sideline?
Yes, but both feet must stay behind the baseline and within sideline extension.

Q4: Is it a fault if I serve before calling the score?
Not a fault, but it’s poor etiquette. Always call score clearly before serving.

Q5: What happens if we rotate incorrectly?
Under 2025 rules, errors in server/receiver rotation are not faults but must be corrected.

You now know the full spectrum of pickleball doubles serving rules—from court positioning and score calls to advanced strategy and 2025 rule updates. More importantly, you’ve learned how to think like a seasoned doubles player: tracking positions, minimizing faults, and using your serve to control the rally.

Whether you’re playing for fun or prepping for tournament play, strong serving fundamentals can make or break your team’s performance. Review these rules regularly, practice with purpose, and step onto the court ready to lead every point with confidence.

Your serve isn't just the start—it's your first shot at winning.