If you’re looking for a fun and exciting racquet sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels, look no further than doubles pickleball. This fast-paced game combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, and is played with two players on each side of the court.
In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to play doubles pickleball, including the rules, necessary equipment, and strategies for success.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner looking to try something new, this article has everything you need to start playing doubles pickleball with confidence.
What is Doubles Pickleball?
Doubles pickleball is a racquet sport that is played with two players on each side of the court. It is similar to doubles tennis but is played on a smaller court with a lower net, pickleball paddles, and balls.
The objective of the game is to hit the ball over the net and into the opponent’s court while trying to prevent the other team from doing the same. Points are scored when the serving team fails to return the ball or hits the ball out of bounds.
Doubles pickleball is a fun and exciting sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. Apparently, it is a great sport that can help you to improve your hand-eye coordination and teamwork skills.
How to Play Doubles Pickleball?
To play doubles pickleball, you will need a pickleball court, pickleball paddles, and a pickleball. In case you haven’t been to one yet, just know that a pickleball court is smaller than a tennis court and has a lower net.
Paddles that are smaller than tennis racquets and made of composite materials or wood are used to play the game. Before the game begins, the teams must decide who will serve first.
This can be done through a coin toss or by letting one team choose which side of the court they would like to start on. Once the serving team has been decided, they would have to stand behind the baseline on their side of the court.
For clarity’s sake, the baseline is the line at the back of the court that separates the serving and receiving areas. As expected, the receiving team will, as well, stand on the opposite side of the court in their respective service boxes.
Starting The Pickleball Game:
To start the game, the server must hit the ball diagonally across the court. This implies that they must hit the ball with their paddle, underhand, so that it goes over the net and into the diagonally opposite service box.
The receiving team must hit the ball with their paddles before it bounces twice on their side of the court. They can hit the ball back to the serving team or try to hit it out of bounds on the serving team’s side of the court.
When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce once before returning it. Similarly, the serving team must let it bounce once after it has been returned by the receiving team.
Hence, the pickleball bounces once on either half in each team’s court before both teams may either volley the ball or play it off a bounce. The first team to reach 11 points (with a lead of at least two points) wins the game.
After each point, the serve rotates to the other team. The team that was receiving becomes the serving team, and the team that was serving becomes the receiving team. The first team to win two games wins the match.
Are the Rules the Same for Singles and Doubles Pickleball?
The basic rules of pickleball are the same for singles and doubles play. However, there are only a few differences in the way the game is played.
In singles pickleball, there is only one player on each side of the court. While in doubles pickleball, there are two players on each side of the court.
What are the Differences Between Singles and Doubles Pickleball?
The first and most common distinction between singles and doubles pickleball is the number of players. As the name implies, there is only one player on each side of the court in singles pickleball.
While there are two players on each side of the court in In doubles pickleball. Nonetheless, the main differences in the two games lie in their serving rules.
In singles pickleball, the server must serve the ball diagonally across the court, and the receiver must return the ball before it bounces on their side of the court.
But that is not the case in doubles pickleball as the server must serve the ball to the receiver on the right side of the court, and the receiver must return the ball to the server on the left side of the court.
What are Some Tips for Playing Doubles Pickleball on Offense?
While playing doubles pickleball on the offense, you must constantly communicate with your partner. The game becomes more interesting if your partner is on alert about how you are going to hit the ball.
If your partner is a strong server, it is wise to have them serve often. Similarly, if they are a good net player, have them move up to the net to put pressure on the other team.
When on the offense, ensure you vary your shots. Mix it up by hitting some softly and some aggressively. This will keep the other team from guessing and make it harder for them to anticipate where the ball is going.
Another important approach is to look for opportunities to hit the ball to the open court, where no one is standing. This will give you a better chance of winning the point.
Lastly, do not be afraid to take risks and go for shots that might be difficult to make. The more aggressively you play, the more pressure you will put on the other team.
What are Some Tips for Playing Doubles Pickleball on Defense?
Just like when playing offensively, it is also important to maintain constant communication with your partner on the defense. During the game, make sure to cover the open areas of the court.
This will make it harder for the other team to hit the ball to an open spot and win the point. If your partner is a good net player, have them move up to the net to intercept shots.
Furthermore, don’t be afraid to lob. This is especially useful if the other team is hitting the ball aggressively. Hence, consider hitting a lob to give yourself time to get back into position.
Defense can be tiring, as you are constantly on the move and reacting to the other team’s shots. Stay patient and don’t get frustrated – the more consistent you are, the better chance you have of winning the point.
What are the 5 Main Strategies used in Doubles Pickleball?
There are several strategies that can be used in doubles pickleball to help a team win points and matches. Here are five common strategies:
1. Serve and volley: In this strategy, one player serves the ball and then moves up to the net to volley the return. This puts pressure on the other team, as they must hit the ball past both players on the serving team.
2. Stay back: In this strategy, both players on the serving team stay back and try to hit groundstrokes to the back of the court. This can be effective if the other team is struggling to hit winners from the back of the court.
3. Hit to the open court: Look for opportunities to hit the ball to the open court, where there is no one standing. This will give you a better chance of winning the point.
4. Use lobs: If the other team is hitting the ball aggressively, consider hitting a lob to give yourself time to get back into position. Lobbing can also be used to put pressure on the other team and force them to hit an overhead shot.
5. Use the alley: The alley is the area between the sideline and the center line on each side of the court. Hitting the ball to the alley can be effective, as it forces the other team to hit a cross-court shot, which can be more difficult to control.
EndNote: How to Play Doubles Pickleball?
In conclusion, doubles pickleball is a fun and exciting racquet sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner looking to try something new, doubles pickleball is a great way to improve your hand-eye coordination, cardiovascular endurance, and teamwork skills.
While playing the game, ensure you communicate with your partner quite often and try to make timely decisions when on the offense or defense.
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2. What is Stacking in Pickleball?
3. What is Pickleball? And Why Is It So Great For Adults?
4. Why is Pickleball So Popular?
6. What is Rally Scoring in Pickleball?
7. Can You Play Pickleball with 3 Players?
8. Can You Play Pickleball in the Rain?
