Pickleball’s ascend to being the world’s most popular recreational game has no end in sight, as millions of people play the game worldwide. For newcomers curious about the sport, there may be a few things that can get confusing, like the differences between pickleball singles and doubles. Don’t worry, though; we’ll break it down for you.
Serving
The first noticeable difference between the two is the serve. In singles, your serve game must be strong because there isn’t a partner the opponent can lean on. While solid doubles serve is helpful, players usually win points from the back-and-forth after it.
Elite singles could exploit your opponent’s weakness immediately. Putting your competitor on their heels with a strong serve should quickly give you the point.
If you are flying solo, it helps to be in better physical condition because you must cover your side of the court by your lonesome. Luckily, a doubles game doesn’t require as much movement, although it’s still a great way to bust a sweat.
Scoring
There are a few differences in scoring, so let’s begin with the gameplay. Scoring in singles pickleball isn’t arduous, particularly if you serve like a pro. It may only take a couple of volleys before you earn a point. That’s not usually how it goes with doubles. Intense rallies will cause a spectator’s head to spin, and usually, a point occurs because of an opponent’s fault.
Note: You only score points in doubles pickleball if you’re serving.
Now to the differences between scoring and how you call it out. We’re accustomed to only caring about two numbers on the scoreboard—your and your opponent’s points. However, for doubles pickleball, there is a third number to announce.
Say your opponents have four points compared to your two. The serving team would call out their score, your score, and the server number. For example, if they were serving, it would be 4-2-1.
There’s no reason to call out the server in singles competition, considering you are the only server; the server’s and receiver’s scores suffice.
Winning Strategies
As the famous sound bite from former NFL head coach Herman Edwards states, “You play to win the game.” It’s integral that you incorporate a proper strategy for each version of the game to emerge victorious.
A strong singles player must have a strong and accurate serve, can return their opposition’s serve swiftly, and play within their means. By playing within your means, we mean this is not the time to try anything complicated. Akin to a stand-up comic, performing new material may not be the best idea in front of a sold-out theater. Instead, you should play the hits and what you know will work well.
For doubles, communication is of the utmost importance. If you’re not communicating with your partner, you might as well play without a paddle. Knowing your partner has your back yields positive results.
Another key to doubles success is keeping your opponent in the middle of the court. Opting for this strategy will keep them guessing how to return the ball. Anything that makes your foes uncomfortable and questioning things is a huge help.
The differences between pickleball singles and doubles can help you decide if one version works better for you than the other. Fromuth Pickleball wants you to play like a pro by offering
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