How to Play Pickleball Two Ways

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Pickleball is a sport that people of all ages and skill levels enjoy. It is a mix of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Standard pickleball courts are made for both singles and doubles play. However, if you want to have a good and fun game, you need to know the rules and things to keep in mind for playing with a partner. We will talk about the rules and details of playing pickleball on a double court in this piece.

The Pickleball Court with Two Sets

A normal pickleball court is 44 feet long and 20 feet wide, with clear lines around the edges and a 7-foot-wide area that you can’t hit the ball into (called “the kitchen”). For double pickleball, this court is split up into different parts so that all four players can play.

Layout of Court

Serving Area: There is a 10-foot-by-20-foot serving area on each side of the net. This is where the team that is serving stands to hit the ball to the other team.

Zone Without Volleys: In double pickleball, the zone without volleys, which is sometimes called “the kitchen,” stays the same. On each side of the net, it’s 7 feet long. They need to be careful not to step into this area and strike the ball from there.

Service Court: The service court for each team is 10 feet long and 22 feet wide. A line down the middle of the service court divides it into two parts.

Line of Base: The line of base is 22 feet on each side and runs straight to the net. A player stands there to serve.

Centerline: This line runs from the non-volley zone to the sideline and splits the serve court in half.

Knowing how the double pickleball court is set up is important for following the rules and techniques of the game.

How to Serve and Score

Putting out

When playing pickleball with a partner, the team that serves has certain duties and rules to follow:

Each team’s player on the right side serves first, going diagonally to the other team’s service court.
The serve has to go over the net and land on the other side in the diagonal service court. The serve is “let” if it goes over the net and hits the net. The serve is then taken again. It’s a fault if the service goes out of boundaries or into an area where you can’t return.
Before serving, the server must read out the score, starting with their own team’s score and then the other team’s score. For example, “3-2-1” means that the team serving has 3 points and the team getting has 2. It is now the turn of the first server.

There are two courts for doubles pickleball. Each team serves once, and then the other team serves. This will keep going until the game is over.

Keeping score

The way you score in double pickleball is the same as in regular pickleball. Most games last 11 points, and to win, a team must be ahead by at least two points. Points can only be scored by the team that serves. The team that is serving gets a point and gets to serve again if they win a comeback. People on the receiving team win rallies. If they do, they serve, but they don’t get any points.

The Rule of Two Bounces

The “double bounce” rule is an important part of pickleball, even when playing on two courts at once. Because of this rule, the receiving team has to let the ball bounce once on each side before they can play it in the air. How it works:

The serve doesn’t follow the double bounce rule. Before it can be returned, the serve has to bounce in the service court of the other team.
Both teams have to let the ball bounce once on their own side after the serve. This means that both teams must let the ball bounce in their service courts. The team getting the ball must do the same.
The ball is now in play after the double bounce. Either team can lob it, which means to hit it in the air, or they can let it bounce first. It’s the same rules as the non-volley zone (the kitchen): players can’t hit the ball in the air while standing in the kitchen.

Tips for the Non-Volley Zone

In doubles pickleball, the non-volley zone, which is often called “the kitchen,” is still an important part of the game. There are certain rules that players must follow in this area:

When players are in the non-volley zone, they can’t volley the ball, which means they can’t hit it in the air. But they can hit the ball after it has bounced outside of the area where you can’t charge.
Players are in the kitchen when their foot hits any part of the non-volley zone. This can lead to a fault.
This rule is meant to stop players from making “smash” shots straight at the net, which would lead to longer battles and more strategy play.

Faults and Calls to Let

When playing on a doubles court, there are rules about mistakes and “let” calls. Here are some common mistakes:

Giving the dish from the wrong side or before your turn.
In the kitchen, which is not a shooting zone, you can hit the ball in the air.
When you hit the ball out of bounds or into the net.
Before the double bounce, the ball was flipped over.

Let calls are made when something unexpected happens during a rally, like a ball rolling onto the court from a nearby game or any other event that stops play. In this case, the rally is played again.

Getting the Win

Most games played on a double pickleball court go to 11 points. However, if the score is tied at 10-10, one team has to win by two points. So, the game can go on until one team has a lead of at least two points.

In conclusion

Both new and expert pickleball players need to know how to play by the rules of a double court. Following these rules not only makes sure that the game is fair and fun, but it also encourages safety and good behaviour on the court. So, whether you’re just looking to have fun or you’re a serious player trying to win, playing pickleball on a double court is a fun and exciting activity that is made better by knowing the rules. Play double pickleball with a buddy. Get your paddle and get ready for a fast-paced game.