Ready to double the pickleball fun? Doubles pickleball can be just as thrilling and satisfying as singles. Plus, playing with a partner can help you refine your shots, strategy, and team dynamic. However, you must understand the game’s rules inside and out. Let us cover the rules for doubles pickleball to help you know how to play the game right.
Serving
When taking the court with a partner, either you or your partner can serve and score points until they commit a fault. However, an exception to this rule occurs in the first service sequence. Here, only one of the players on the serving team gets to serve before the service passes to the other team.
The server must land their serve in the area diagonally opposite theirs, akin to tennis. The serve must either be a drop serve or underhand. In a drop serve, the ball must bounce without assistance before sending it to your opposition. Each player gets only one serving attempt. If the ball hits the net but lands in the correct service court, the service will begin again. A team can only score points when serving; the receiving team can’t.
Scoring
In doubles pickleball, the scoring rules are quite specific. The score consists of three numbers called out in a particular order. These include the serving team’s score, the receiving team’s score, and then, only for doubles, the server number. Remember that a team can only score points when serving; the receiving team can’t. This caveat differs from other court games, so it’s an easy misconception for beginners to overlook.
In addition to this, there is also the “Double Bounce Rule.” This rule states that the ball must bounce on both sides of the court before either team can volley the ball. Don’t let the double-bounce rule confuse you with another two-bounce ruling. After the initial bounce on each side of the court, the ball can only bounce once on the same side. If two bounces occur, the team that hits the shot wins the point.
Furthermore, remember who served at 0-0-2. If that is you, you should always be on the right side when your team’s score is even.
Volleying
Volley serves and drop serves must always be underhand. The understood rule is the shot must come from below the belly button.
Volleys are an option for players anywhere on the pickleball court except in the “kitchen,” otherwise known as the non-volley zone. This regulation stops players from executing smashes from a position on top of the net. This area exists because of the size of the court and the advantage it would give other players if they could camp near the net.
There’s no violation if players volley a ball while their partner stands in the non-volley zone. However, it becomes a fault if the player volleying the ball steps into the non-volley zone.
After the serve and return of serve, volleying is fair game for any team or player. This is a shot where the ball never hits the ground during a ferocious rally near the net. It’s pickleball’s version of “hot potato.”
Line Calls
Line calls refer to the judgment made by a player or referee about whether a ball has landed within the boundaries of the court or outside of it.
If a ball touches a line that marks the boundaries of the court, the shot is good. This rule applies to all lines on the court, including the lines defining the kitchen.
Players are responsible for calling their lines on their side of the court. If there’s a referee present, they can ultimately settle the score.
Good sportsmanship and fair play are key aspects of pickleball, which extends to line calls. Players should always strive to make accurate and honest line calls. A game of pickleball isn’t worth fighting over.
Faults
There are several types of faults in pickleball. Below, we outline some of the most common ones.
Two-Bounce Rule
This rule, which we touched on before, occurs when the ball hits your side of the court twice.
Service Faults
Service faults can occur for several reasons. These include if the serve doesn’t land within the confines of the court, if the server misses the ball, or if the ball touches the no-volley zone on the serve.
Foot Faults
This happens if a player steps beyond the line while striking the ball.
Non-Volley Zone Faults
Volleying the ball in the kitchen is a big no-no.
Double Hit
Occasionally, a player may hit the ball twice in one swing. This mishap is a fault.
Tips for Success
With a solid grasp of the game’s rules, you can begin to formulate a winning strategy with your partner, and it all begins with solid communication. If you don’t communicate effectively on the court, you’ll run into each other or let a few shots fall that shouldn’t.
It’s also nice to have a partner who complements your game well. For example, if you have a strong forehand, you may want to find a partner with a sharp backhand.
Court positioning is also vital for winning. After returning a serve, dart toward the non-volley line as quickly as possible. Doing so should take away a few scoring opportunities from your opponents. Beyond that, anticipating their next shots and defending them can give you the upper hand in the competition.
Also, you and your partner should never rely on the same types of serves. Varying your pace, location, and type of serve can yield better results and keep your opponents on their toes.
Finally, a third-shot drop comes in handy with doubles pickleball. This is arguably one of the most vital shots in pickleball doubles. A well-executed third-shot drop can help you and your partner move forward and establish a position at the net. But without effective communication, any fancy shots will go to waste.
By now, you should know how to play the game and the rules for doubles pickleball. Knowing the differences between singles and doubles play enables a better appreciation of the game. With some strategic foresight, two players can make a formidable team on the court, so spend some time practicing on the pickleball court!
Getting outfitted with the best gear for pickleball is important, too. Fromuth Pickleball offers quality
pickleball backpacks that are easy to carry, giving you everything you need for an enjoyable match every time.
