Rules of Pickleball Singles vs Doubles: Key Differences Every Player Should Know

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, loved for its accessibility, fast-paced gameplay, and social nature. No matter if you’re a veteran athlete or a casual weekend player, pickleball features two primary formats: singles and doubles. While both follow the foundational rules of the game, the rules of pickleball singles differ in key areas from those of doubles, affecting everything from court positioning to scoring and strategy.

Singles vs. Doubles in Pickleball: What’s the Difference?

The essence of pickleball—utilizing a paddle, a perforated plastic ball, and a court equivalent in size to a badminton court—stays consistent in both singles and doubles. Yet:

• Singles: Conducted in a one-on-one format, it demands players to cover the entire court by themselves.
• Doubles: Played two-on-two, with teammates sharing court responsibilities.

This distinction alters the game’s rhythm significantly. Singles is typically more physically demanding, while doubles emphasizes teamwork and positioning.

Surprisingly, the court measurements are identical for both singles and doubles:

• Court size: 20 feet wide by 44 feet long
• Non-volley zone (kitchen): 7 feet from the net on each side
• Service zones: Split into left and right service courts

Although the court doesn't change, how it's used does:

• Singles: You must cover the entire 20-foot width alone.
• Doubles: You and your partner each typically defend one side, splitting responsibilities.

Positioning becomes more strategic in doubles, but the physical intensity is higher in singles.

Serving Rules in Singles vs Doubles

In Singles:

• Players serve from the right when their score is even, and from the left when it’s odd.
• You serve only until you lose a rally, after which the serve passes to your opponent.
• There’s no second server—only one server per side.

In Doubles:

• One team starts with only one server in the first turn (called the "start serve").
• After that, each player on a team gets to serve before the serve changes sides.
• The serve alternates between right and left sides based on the serving team’s score (even = right, odd = left).
• The two-server rotation is a key complexity in doubles.

Common Serving Mistakes:

• Forgetting to switch sides based on score
• Serving from the wrong position
• In doubles, confusing which teammate should serve next

Understanding the difference in serving mechanics helps avoid faults and unnecessary point losses.

Scoring Differences

Singles Scoring:

• The server can only score a point if they win the rally.
• The score is announced as: [server score] - [receiver score]
• When you lose a rally, the serve goes to your opponent.

Doubles Scoring:

• Only the serving team can score.
• The score is announced as: [serving team score] - [receiving team score] - [server number (1 or 2)]
• When the first server loses the rally, the second server gains the serve.
• After both lose their serves, the ball goes to the opponents.

The third number in the doubles score (server number) is a major difference from singles and can be confusing for beginners.

Player Positioning and Movement

In Singles:

• Players are required to cover the entire court by themselves.
• Movement involves side-to-side and front-to-back coverage.
• Strategic placement of shots (especially cross-court) can tire out an opponent quickly.

In Doubles:

• Each player typically defends one-half of the court.
• Following the serve, both players typically advance to the non-volley zone line (the kitchen).
• Cooperation plays a vital role in defending against lobs, dinks, and fast drives.

Singles players must be quick and have excellent stamina, while doubles players need coordination and communication.

Strategy Differences Between Singles and Doubles

Singles:

• Focused on endurance, agility, and shot placement
• Long rallies with wide-angle shots
• Serve deep and return deep to gain control of the net
• Winning is often about outlasting and outmaneuvering your opponent

Doubles:

• Focused on team strategy and net play
• Controlled dinking at the kitchen line is crucial
• Poaching (crossing over to take your partner’s shot) is a common tactic
• Communication and planned formations (stacking) are often used

The strategic mindset in singles is closer to tennis, while doubles is more like high-speed chess with volleys.

Common Mistakes Players Make When Switching Between Singles and Doubles

Transitioning between formats can be tricky. Here are some common issues:

1. Serving Confusion

In doubles, players often forget who the correct server is or serve from the wrong side. In singles, they might expect a second server when there isn’t one.

2. Positioning Errors

Singles players might forget to rotate sides based on score. Doubles players might stand too far back or fail to move to the net.

3. Miscommunication

When playing doubles after singles, players may neglect to communicate, assuming solo responsibility.

4. Overexertion in Doubles or Underperformance in Singles

Singles players tend to move more, which can cause issues in doubles where positioning is tighter. Doubles players may find singles exhausting and misjudge court coverage.

Fixes: Practice each format separately, review the rules regularly, and play with experienced partners who can help correct habits.

Which Should You Play? Choosing Between Singles and Doubles

Not sure which version is for you? Here's a quick comparison based on different player profiles:

Player Type	Best Fit	Why
Beginners	Doubles	Easier movement, shared court coverage
Competitive Athletes	Singles	More intense, physical gameplay
Older Players or Those with Injuries	Doubles	Less running, more strategy
Fitness-Focused	Singles	Great cardio workout
Social Players	Doubles	More teamwork and interaction

 

Many players enjoy both formats, switching based on mood, fitness level, or group size. There’s no wrong choice!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are the main differences between singles and doubles in pickleball?

The main differences include serving rules, scoring systems, player positioning, and strategic focus.  Singles demands greater court coverage and endurance, whereas doubles focuses on teamwork and synchronized positioning.

2. Is the court size the same for singles and doubles in pickleball?

 Indeed, the court measurements are identical: 20 feet in width and 44 feet in length. However, players use the space differently in singles and doubles, particularly when it comes to movement and positioning.

3. How does serving work differently in singles vs doubles?

In singles, players alternate serving based on their score being even or odd, and there's only one server per side. In doubles, each team has two servers, and the score includes a third number to indicate which server is serving.

4. Can I use the same strategies for singles and doubles?

Not entirely. Singles relies more on speed, endurance, and precision, while doubles depends heavily on teamwork, net control, and communication. Strategy must adapt depending on the format.

5. Which format is easier for beginners: singles or doubles?

Doubles is generally easier for beginners because it involves less movement and allows players to share court responsibilities, making the game less physically demanding.

6. What should I watch out for when switching between singles and doubles?

Be mindful of serving order, positioning, and strategy changes. Miscommunication in doubles or fatigue in singles are common issues. Practicing both formats can help build adaptability.

While the rules of pickleball singles and doubles share the same foundation, their key differences in serving, scoring, positioning, and strategy can dramatically alter how the game feels. Whether you’re playing solo for the cardio challenge or enjoying the team-based fun of doubles, understanding these distinctions helps you play smarter and avoid costly mistakes.