How To Play the Game: Rules for Doubles Pickleball?
Rules for Doubles Pickleball
Master the essentials and dominate the court with Midwest Racquet Sports
Introduction
Learning the rules for doubles pickleball is crucial to playing the game correctly. Once you grasp the rules, you can take on all-comers and improve your rank. 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.
Serving
When taking the court with a partner, either you or your partner can serve and score points until they commit a fault. However, in the first service sequence, only one player gets to serve before the service passes to the other team.
The server must land their serve 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 cannot.
Scoring
In doubles pickleball, the score consists of three numbers called out in order: the serving team’s score, the receiving team’s score, and the server number. A team can only score points while serving, and the ball must bounce on both sides of the court before volleying is allowed (Double Bounce Rule).
Remember to track who served at 0-0-2. If that’s you, always start on the right side when your team’s score is even.
Volleying
Volleying serves and drop serves must always be underhand. Players can volley the ball anywhere except in the "kitchen" or non-volley zone. If a player steps into the non-volley zone while volleying, it’s a fault. However, teammates can stand in the kitchen while their partner volleys from elsewhere.
Line Calls
If a ball touches a line marking the court boundaries, it’s considered in. Players are responsible for calling lines on their side of the court. Good sportsmanship is essential for accurate and fair line calls.
Common Faults
- Two-Bounce Rule: The ball must not bounce twice on one side of the court.
- Service Faults: Includes serves landing outside the service court, missed serves, or the ball touching the no-volley zone on the serve.
- Foot Faults: Occur if a player steps beyond the baseline during a serve.
- Non-Volley Zone Faults: Hitting a volley in the kitchen is not allowed.
- Double Hits: A single player striking the ball twice in one swing is a fault.
Tips for Success
To excel in doubles pickleball, communication is key. Talk to your partner to avoid collisions and missed shots. Choose a partner whose skills complement yours, like matching a strong forehand with a sharp backhand.
Positioning is critical—move quickly to the non-volley line after returning a serve to limit opponents' scoring opportunities. Vary your serves to keep opponents guessing and practice the third-shot drop to establish a strong net presence.
Get Outfitted With Midwest Racquet Sports
Now that you know the rules for doubles pickleball, it’s time to gear up! Midwest Racquet Sports offers top-quality pickleball equipment, including backpacks, paddles, and apparel to enhance your game. Shop with us for everything you need to dominate the court!