When it comes to pickleball, there’s more than one way to play the game. You can play one-on-one (singles) or two-on-two (doubles). Singles and doubles games each offer unique challenges and strategies, so understanding the differences can help improve your overall skills, no matter which version you prefer. Let's delve into the primary nuances of singles versus doubles pickleball and briefly discuss how they affect gameplay.
Calling the Score
One of the key differences between singles and doubles pickleball relates to how you call the score.
- In doubles pickleball, you call the score as three numbers: my team’s score; the opposing team’s score; my server number.
- In singles, however, since you are the only server for your team, you only call the first two numbers as the score (my team’s score; the opposing team’s score).
The scoring system itself is the same, however, between singles and doubles. That is, in both types of games, a standard game goes to 11 points, and you have to win by 2 points.
Serving
Singles and doubles pickleball also differ when it comes to serving. Here’s how:
- In doubles, both players on a team get a chance to serve before the opposing team can serve (except in the very first round of a game where only one player has a chance to serve until the team loses the rally). So, in almost every round of doubles, the first server serves from the right side of the court. If their team scores a point, they switch sides with their partner and serve from the left side. When the first server loses the serve, because their team lost a rally, their partner takes over and serves from the side they happen to be standing on, and they keep serving until their team loses the rally.
- In singles, however, you serve from the right side of the court when your score is even, and the left side when it's odd. Each server only gets one chance to serve until they lose the rally. This is true in every round of the game, not just the very first round.
Strategy and Court Positioning
Singles pickleball relies heavily on speed, agility, and endurance. With only one player on your team, you have more court space to cover, so playing close to the baseline and maintaining a strong defense is crucial. Your shots must be precise, as the slightest mishit could give your opponent a scoring opportunity. You also generally want to stay in the middle of the court to be able to get shots that are sent to you anywhere on the court. However, as a general matter, you want to send shots to your opponent that are along the sidelines of their half of the court, and often to their backhand.
Doubles pickleball is more about teamwork, communication, and strategy. Court positioning is key—each player must cover their designated side, while moving in sync to create an impenetrable defense. Offensive strategies in doubles often include lobs, overheads, and put-away shots at the non-volley zone, forcing the opponents to make errors. Also, in doubles, you and your partner are often trying to send shots down the middle on the other side of the net in order to confound the opposing team. You and your partner must make sure that whomever has the forehand is covering the middle of the court on any given point, but you also have to ensure that the sidelines are covered, too.
Gameplay Dynamics
In singles pickleball, games are fast-paced and intense, as you need to return every shot and outmaneuver your opponent. Pickleball singles players often excel at shot selection and placement, keeping opponents off-balance with angled groundstrokes and volleys or strategic drops.
Doubles pickleball, on the other hand, is more about patience and teamwork. Players must work together to exploit opponents’ weaknesses, alternating between aggressive offense and strategic defense.
Conclusion
Whether you prefer the intense one-on-one action of singles or the team dynamics of doubles, pickleball offers something for everyone. By understanding the differences between singles and doubles play, you can develop the skills and strategies needed to excel on the court, no matter which version you choose.
