Imagine stepping onto the court, paddle in hand, ready for a thrilling game of pickleball doubles. But amidst the excitement, a question pops into your head: “Wait, what are the rules again?” Don’t worry, it’s completely normal! Getting a grasp of pickleball doubles rules for beginners can seem a bit daunting at first, but it’s much simpler than you might think. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from serving and volleying to faulting and scoring. Get ready to confidently dive into the world of competitive yet friendly pickleball doubles!
Serving Up Success: The Pickleball Doubles Serve
The serve in pickleball doubles is a critical component of the game. It sets the tone for the rally and can give your team a strategic advantage. Here are the key rules to remember:
Underhand Serve: The Foundation of Pickleball
Like in badminton, the pickleball serve must be underhand. This means contacting the ball below your navel (belly button). Imagine a line across your waist – the paddle must be below that line upon contact. This rule ensures fair play and prevents overly powerful serves.
Diagonal Court Service: Targeting the Right Box
The serve must be made diagonally across the court, landing in the service box opposite the server. Think of it as aiming for the box that’s not directly in front of you. This adds a strategic element to the serve, forcing the receiving team to move and cover more ground.
Serving Sequence in Doubles: Taking Turns
In doubles, only one player on the serving team gets one fault before the serve switches to their partner. If the first server faults, their partner then serves. Once the second server faults, the serve goes to the opposing team. This keeps the game flowing and ensures both partners get a chance to serve.
The Non-Volley Zone (NVZ): The Kitchen Rules
The non-volley zone, often affectionately called “the kitchen,” is a critical area on the pickleball court. It extends seven feet from the net on both sides. Understanding the NVZ rules is crucial for mastering pickleball doubles.
Staying Out of the Kitchen During Volleys
You cannot volley a ball (hit it in the air before it bounces) while standing inside the NVZ. This rule prevents players from dominating the net with powerful smashes and encourages strategic shot placement.
Entering the NVZ After a Bounce
You are allowed to enter the NVZ to hit a ball after it has bounced. This allows for aggressive play at the net while still maintaining a balance of skill and strategy.
Exiting the NVZ After a Volley: Returning to Neutral Ground
If you volley a ball while outside the NVZ and then land inside the NVZ, it’s perfectly legal. However, you must exit the NVZ before volleying again. This prevents players from camping out in the kitchen and dominating the net.
Faulting in Doubles: Understanding the Missteps
Faults can occur in various ways during a pickleball doubles game. Here are some common scenarios:
Serving Faults: Missing the Mark
A serve is a fault if it lands out of bounds, does not clear the net, is hit overhand, or is not hit diagonally into the correct service box.
Volleying Faults: Kitchen Violations
Volleying a ball while standing in the NVZ is a fault. Stepping into the NVZ after volleying and before the ball bounces is also a fault.
Return of Serve Faults: Handling the Initial Shot
The return of serve must clear the net and land within the boundaries of the receiving team’s court. Any shot hitting the net or landing out of bounds is considered a fault.
Scoring and Winning: Reaching the Finish Line
Pickleball doubles games are typically played to 11 points, and a team must win by 2 points. Here’s a breakdown of how scoring works:
Serving Team Scores Points
Only the serving team can score points. If the receiving team faults, the serving team scores a point and continues to serve.
Switching Sides After Each Point
After each point scored, the server on the scoring team switches sides of the court with their partner. This ensures that both partners get to serve from both sides of the court.
Calling the Score: Keeping Everyone Informed
Before each serve, the score is called out loud, starting with the serving team’s score, followed by the receiving team’s score, and finally the server number (1 or 2). For example, “7-4-1” would indicate the serving team has 7 points, the receiving team has 4 points, and the first server on the serving team is serving.
Pickleball Doubles Gameplay
- USAPA Approve Pickleball Paddles: The pickleball paddles of 2 are USA pickleball approved & with USAPA approval lable ith high safety and professionalism, and can be used in tournaments
- Premium Quality Pickleball Paddles: The pickleball paddles set is designed with unique fiberglass and polypropylene honeycomb core technology. Provides exceptional power and control. Polypropylene honeycomb technology reduces vibration and achieves stable speed, resulting in optimal ball strike feel. The fiberglass surface provides excellent rotational performance.The pickleball racket lightweight,strong and durable
- 𝘾𝙊𝙈𝙋𝙇𝙀𝙏𝙀 𝙋𝙄𝘾𝙆𝙇𝙀𝘽𝘼𝙇𝙇 𝙎𝙀𝙏: This pickleball set of unbeatable value includes 4 fiberglass pickleball paddles, 2 outdoor pickleball balls + 2 indoor pickleball balls, 4 pickleball lead tapes and 1 pickleball bag to accommodate this racket set of 4 with all your essential pickleball accessories. Fetch a pickleball net, and find a pickleball court, you can enjoy the amazing game with your family and friends right away!
- 𝙐𝙎𝘼𝙋𝘼 𝘼𝙋𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙑𝙀𝘿: JoncAye BLITZ pickle-ball paddle series is tested and approved by USAPA for tournament play. Each paddle is manufactured strictly according to USAPA standards, and carries a USAPA approval label. Further details can be found on the USA Pickleball website
- Official UPA-A Certification: The Rhythm has earned official UPA-A approval, ensuring top-tier build quality, tested consistency, and compliance with the standards trusted by competitive players. Step onto the court with a paddle engineered for sanctioned tournaments and league play.
- New MaxCell Honeycomb Structure: Compared to 8mm cell size paddles, the 16mm Rhythm Pickleball Paddle features a 10mm cell-wide honeycomb core, resulting in a softer and more stable feel. Built for control and touch—not hard-hitting, aggressive play—it makes soft game shots easier and more accurate. Enjoy higher forgiveness, a larger sweet spot, and a smoother feel.
- MULTI-LAYER T700SC CARBON FIBER FACE: TENVINA pickleball paddles are crafted from the lightweight and high-strength material, multi-layer T700SC carbon fiber, which utilizes cutting-edge Dry Jet-Wet Spinning technology. Delivering greater power and easy to control, this pickleball paddle brings you an unprecedented gaming experience.
- SUPERIOR MATTE-TEXTURED CARBON FIBER SURFACE: Our carbon fiber pickleball paddle features a unique T700SC Matte-textured Carbon surface (TMCS), offering high friction for precise hits and high-speed spin, while guaranteeing abrasion resistance even in intense continuous games. To dominate the game, just don't miss our outstanding pickleball paddles.
- Professional pickleball paddles suitable for everyone, including beginners, intermediate players, or professional players.
- USAPA Approved Pickleball Paddles: These two pickleball paddles have been approved by the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) and come with the USAPA approval label, ensuring high safety and professionalism.
- OPTIMIZED DESIGN: The top-of-the-line JOJOLEMON pickleball paddles is meticulously designed and tested for its appearance, frame, and perforation design to provide the ultimate hitting experience and comfort.
- TEFLON COATING: Enhances the pickleball paddle's durability and increases the friction coefficient between the racket and strings, thereby improving the racket's spin control and dwell time.
- PEAK PERFORMANCE DESIGN: DGYGQ pickleball paddles are precision-engineered to deliver premium performance and unmatched comfort. Made with high-quality carbon fiber, these paddles offer an elite playing experience tailored for players at every level.
- EXTENDED HANDLE FOR POWER: Ideal for two-handed backhand players, the extended handle improves balance and provides extra leverage for more powerful swings.
- 4 LAYERS CARBON FIBER COMPOSITE SURFACE：HERCULES PRO pickleball paddles surface is constructed from hot-pressed T700SC carbon fiber. And the unique T700SC Matte-textured Carbon Surface brings the high friction coefficient for precise hits. A professional pickleball paddle, a sparkling court winner.
- THERMOFORMED POWER: Designed for professional pickleball players, HERCULES PRO pickleball paddles wrap 3 carbon fiber layers at the edges with foam injection into the gap. Gaining larger sweet spot, the carbon fiber pickleball paddle formed by special Thermoforming Technology, making your court performance unmatched.
- 【Great Value Pickleball Paddles Set】DULCE DOM pickleball paddles set contains 4 durable paddles, 2 indoor and 2 outdoor high-performing pickleballs and 1 pickleball bag. This is the perfect pickleball paddle set for beginners and professionals, promoting interaction with family and friends.
- 【High-Quality Material】DULCE DOM pickleball paddle is made of high-quality 9-ply hard basswood, and the edge of the paddle is reinforced with protective rubber. USPA Pickleball certification ensures stronger and longer life. Each pickleball paddle is optimally weighted at 10.58 oz for the perfect balance of swing speed and power.
- 【Durable Pickleball Paddles Set】 We have upgraded the previous pickleball paddle set. With this new pickleball paddle set of 4, you can play singles and doubles like never before, so if your friends want to join, now, they can with its 4 paddles, and 6 balls all you need to have fun in a group. Plus, with 2 indoor balls and 2 outdoor balls, you can play pickleball whether on indoor courts, or outdoor courts.
- 【Lightweight Pickleball Paddle】 Pickleball paddles are made of top-grade fiberglass,each pickleball paddle weighs about 7.7oz, a great balance of power and control.This pickleball paddle is suitable for all ages and all skill levels, like adults, elders, teens, beginner or professional players.Paddles are optimally designed with balance, comfort, reach, power, and ball control in mind.
Mastering Pickleball Doubles: Tips for Beginners
Now that you understand the basic rules, here are a few tips to enhance your pickleball doubles game:
- Communicate with your partner: Clear communication is essential in doubles. Call out shots, discuss strategies, and support each other throughout the game. “Mine!” or “Yours!” can prevent confusion and collisions.
- Practice your dinking: Dinking, or soft shots at the net, is a vital skill in pickleball. Mastering this shot can help you control the net and set up winning volleys. Practice your soft game for more strategic play.
- Get to the kitchen line: Try to establish a position at the non-volley zone line (kitchen line) as soon as possible. This gives you better control of the net and allows you to react quickly to volleys. However, remember the NVZ rules.
- Focus on placement over power: While powerful shots can be exciting, accuracy and placement are more effective in pickleball. Aim for open spaces on the court and try to keep your opponents moving.
- Have fun! Pickleball is a social and enjoyable sport. Embrace the learning process, celebrate your successes, and enjoy the camaraderie of the game. It’s okay to be a beginner – everyone starts somewhere!
Conclusion: Stepping Onto the Court with Confidence
Learning the pickleball doubles rules for beginners may seem like a lot at first, but with a little practice and understanding, you’ll be playing with confidence in no time. Remember the key elements of serving, the non-volley zone, faulting, and scoring. Use these strategies to enhance your game and, above all, enjoy the fun and social aspects of this rapidly growing sport. Now, grab your paddle, find a partner, and get ready to experience the thrill of pickleball doubles! We’d love to hear about your pickleball journey – share your experiences and any questions you may have in the comments below! Are you ready to explore other aspects of pickleball? Check out our articles on understanding pickleball faults, game structure, court strategies, and beginner tips to further develop your skills. Happy playing!