Pickleball has been growing in popularity, and it’s no wonder why. This sport combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, and it can be played either as singles or doubles. One of the reasons pickleball is so interesting is because of this variation–the dynamics of the game change depending on how many people are on the court.
In this article, we’ll cover how to play singles pickleball, the difference between singles vs. doubles pickleball rules, why it’s often more fun to play pickleball with two people, and where to find a great pickup game of pickleball in Chicagoland.
How to Play Singles Pickleball
When you’re playing singles pickleball, you’re responsible for covering your entire side of the court. The court dimensions are the same as in doubles, but because there’s only one player on each side, you’ll have to cover more ground. This can make the game more intense.
The serve in singles pickleball is done diagonally, starting from the right side. You’ll continue to serve as long as you win the rally.
As far as strategy goes, singles pickleball is a game of positioning. Unlike doubles, where players can share the responsibility of covering the court, singles players must manage every inch of the playing surface on their own. This makes positioning one of the most important parts of the game.
A key tactic in singles is to hit deep, angled shots that push your opponent toward the far corners of the court. These types of shots force your opponent out of their central position, making it hard for them to cover the next return. By sending them to the back corners, you’re also lowering their ability to hit offensive shots, as they’re more likely to hit defensive lobs or softer shots as they try to return the ball.
As you continue to find pickup games and learn how to play singles pickleball, you’ll improve your skills. Ultimately, this means you’ll figure out how to dictate the pace of the game, which is a great strategy to win.
Singles vs. Doubles Pickleball Rules
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America for the third year running. While the rules of singles and doubles pickleball are largely similar, there are a few notable differences.
Number of Players
Naturally, when you’re playing singles pickleball, there will just be one player per side (two players total). In doubles, there are two players per side (four players total).
Scoring
In both formats, points can only be scored by the serving side. However, in doubles, when the serving team loses a rally, the second server takes over before the serve switches sides.
Serving Area
The serving area is different in singles vs. doubles pickleball. In singles, the server alternates between the right and left sides of the court with each point scored. In doubles, only the server who wins the point continues serving.
Court Coverage
Doubles allows players to cover more ground by dividing responsibilities. This can make rallies longer but generally less physically demanding than in singles.
Pacing
The pacing is different in singles vs. doubles pickleball. Playing singles pickleball tends to be faster-paced with less time between shots because there’s more open space on the court. When you play pickleball with two people, it’s slower in comparison due to better coverage, which can lead to longer, more strategic rallies.
Is it More Fun to Play Pickleball with Two People?
Whether singles or doubles pickleball is more fun largely comes down to personal preference. At Wintrust Sports Complex, we know many of our pickleball players like doubles since it’s a more relaxed type of game and tends to give people a better chance to socialize. With doubles, there’s also more chance for interaction with your teammate since you’re constantly talking and strategizing, which can make the game more fun and less competitive than if you’re playing solo.
When comparing singles vs. doubles pickleball, the physical demands are usually lighter in doubles. Though this isn’t always true and can depend on the players, people typically find that when they’re sharing the court with another person, they are also sharing the physical work. Again, whether this is more fun comes down to personal preference. Some people like the intensity of singles, while others prefer to have some competition without needing the endurance required in singles.
In terms of strategy, playing doubles means using teamwork. It’s not just about power but also finding smart ways to place shots and cover the court with your partner. While singles gives people a faster game, more casual players who are looking for ways to stay active often find doubles more fun.
Tips for Playing Pickleball with Two People
Playing pickleball with two people means learning specific tactics that can improve your game. Though there are many tips for new players, we share the ones we think are most important here.
Communicate Constantly
Communicating with your partner is important when playing doubles. Always call out who is going for the ball, and be clear about your positioning.
Divide the Court
Each player should take responsibility for their half of the court. Avoid clustering in the middle and trust your partner to cover their side.
Control the Kitchen Line
One of the best strategies in doubles pickleball is for both players to move up to the kitchen line together. This allows you to be more aggressive with volleys while keeping the pressure on your opponents.
Serve and Return Deep
Serving deep into the opponent’s court pushes them back, while a deep return keeps you and your partner in control of the kitchen area.
Stay Ready for Volleys
Since doubles pickleball often involves quick exchanges at the kitchen line, being prepared for volleys and dinks is important if you want to keep control of the rally.
Play Pickleball at Wintrust Sports Complex
Whether you prefer singles or doubles, pickleball is a great sport for players of all levels. Singles may push your physical limits, while doubles lets you work on teamwork and strategy. Here at Wintrust Sports Complex, we encourage you to try both.
Ready to start playing at a court near you? Wintrust Sports Complex is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility located in Bedford Park, Chicago with pickup games of pickleball every week. We welcome players of all levels, so come check us out to start playing pickleball today.