Pickleball Rules Singles: What You Need to Know for Solo Play
Want to play pickleball but don’t have a partner? No problem! You can still enjoy this fun sport by playing singles. Singles pickleball uses most of the same rules as doubles, with a few key differences.
In singles pickleball, you serve from the right side when your score is even and the left side when it’s odd. This is different from doubles, where you switch sides based on your team’s score. Scoring in singles is also simpler – you just call out your score followed by your opponent’s score before each serve.
Playing singles can be more challenging than doubles since you’re covering the whole court by yourself. But it’s a great way to improve your skills and get a good workout. You’ll need quick reflexes and smart positioning to succeed.
Ready to give it a try? Let’s dive into the specifics of singles pickleball rules so you can hit the court with confidence.
The Basics of Singles Pickleball
Singles pickleball is a fast-paced game that tests your skills and endurance. You’ll need to cover the whole court by yourself, so it’s important to know the rules and equipment. Let’s look at the court, gear, and goals of singles play.
Court Dimensions
The pickleball court for singles is the same size as for doubles. It’s 20 feet wide and 44 feet long. The non-volley zone, also called the kitchen, extends 7 feet from the net on each side.
You’ll serve diagonally across the court, just like in doubles. Remember to switch sides based on your score – serve from the right when it’s even, left when it’s odd.
The baselines and sidelines are important. You need to stay behind the baseline when serving. During play, the ball is out if it lands outside the sidelines or baseline.
Equipment Needed
To play singles pickleball, you’ll need a few key items:
- Paddle: Choose one that feels comfortable and suits your playing style.
- Balls: Use plastic balls with holes, made for pickleball.
- Net: The net should be 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches at the center.
Wear comfy clothes and shoes with good grip. Since you’ll be moving a lot, breathable fabrics are best.
Don’t forget water and a towel. Singles is more tiring than doubles, so staying hydrated is crucial.
Objective of the Game
Your goal in singles pickleball is to score 11 points before your opponent, winning by 2. You only score when serving.
To win a point:
- Hit the ball over the net and into your opponent’s court
- Make your opponent hit the ball into the net or out of bounds
- Force your opponent to commit a fault
Remember the two-bounce rule: The serve and return must bounce before you can volley. After that, you can hit the ball in the air or after a bounce.
Watch out for the non-volley zone. You can’t volley while standing in the kitchen. This rule adds strategy to the game.
Starting the Game
Pickleball singles starts with a few key rules. You need to know where to serve from, how the ball must bounce, and how to keep score. These basics will get you playing quickly.
Service Rules
You always serve from the right side of the court when starting a game. Stand behind the baseline to make your first serve. After that, switch sides based on your score.
Serve from the right when your score is even, left when it’s odd. Hit the ball diagonally across the court. Make sure you use an underhand serve.
Keep both feet behind the baseline until you hit the ball. If you step over before contact, it’s a fault. You only get one try to serve correctly.
Two-Bounce Rule
This rule keeps the game fair at the start of each point. When you serve, let the ball bounce once on the other side before your opponent hits it.
When they return it, you must also let it bounce once on your side. After these two bounces, either player can volley or let the ball bounce.
This rule stops servers from rushing the net right away. It gives both players a chance to get into position for longer rallies.
Scoring System
In singles pickleball, only the server can score points. If you’re receiving, you’re trying to win the serve, not points directly.
Call out the score before each serve. Say your score first, then your opponent’s. For example, “3-2” means you have 3 points and they have 2.
Games usually go to 11 points, and you must win by 2. Some tournaments play to 15 or 21. Keep serving until you lose a point. Then your opponent gets to serve.
Remember, in singles, there’s no second server like in doubles. You switch serving sides based on your own score, not your opponent’s.
Playing the Game
Pickleball singles follows specific rules for serving, faults, and line calls. These elements are key to playing a fair and enjoyable game. Let’s look at each in detail.
Serving Sequence
In singles pickleball, you serve from the right side when your score is even. When it’s odd, serve from the left. You only get one serve attempt.
The score is called out before each serve. It includes two numbers: your score first, then your opponent’s. For example, “4-2” means you have 4 points and your opponent has 2.
If you win the rally, you earn a point and serve again. If you lose, your opponent gets to serve next. This continues until someone reaches 11 points and wins by 2.
Faults
Faults in singles pickleball are similar to doubles. Here are some common faults:
- Hitting the ball into the net
- Hitting the ball out of bounds
- Stepping into the non-volley zone (kitchen) to hit a volley
- Not letting the ball bounce once on each side after the serve
- Touching the net with your body or paddle
If you commit a fault, your opponent gets the serve. If they committed the fault while you were serving, you get a point.
Line Calls
In singles pickleball, you’re responsible for calling lines on your side of the court. The ball is “in” if it touches any part of the line.
If you’re unsure about a call, give your opponent the benefit of the doubt. It’s better to play a questionable ball than to make a wrong call.
For serves, the receiving player makes all the line calls. This includes the serve landing in the correct service court and not touching the non-volley zone line.
Remember, honesty in line calls is crucial for fair play. If you realize you made a mistake, correct it immediately.
Rules of Play
Pickleball singles has some unique rules you need to know. These cover where you can hit the ball, how to keep a rally going, and when play stops.
Non-Volley Zone
The non-volley zone is a key part of the court. It’s the area within 7 feet of the net on both sides. You can’t hit the ball in the air while standing in this zone.
You can step into the zone to hit a bounced ball. But you must be out of it before making contact with a volley. If you touch the zone during a volley, you lose the point.
Be careful about your follow-through too. If you hit a volley and then step into the zone, that’s also a fault.
Rallying
In singles pickleball, you’re on your own to cover the whole court. This makes rallying more challenging.
You serve diagonally, just like in doubles. But you always serve from the right side when your score is even, and the left when it’s odd.
During the rally, you can hit the ball anywhere in bounds. Try to move your opponent around the court. Use a mix of soft shots and hard drives to keep them guessing.
Remember, the ball must bounce once on each side after the serve before you can volley. This is called the “double bounce rule”.
Dead Ball
A dead ball in pickleball stops play. This happens in several situations:
- The ball doesn’t clear the net
- The ball bounces twice
- The ball hits a permanent object
- A player commits a fault
When a dead ball occurs, the point ends. If it was your serve, you might get a second serve chance. But if it wasn’t, the serve goes to the other player.
Faults in singles are similar to doubles. They include hitting the ball out of bounds, not letting it bounce when required, or touching the net.
Etiquette and Manners
When playing pickleball singles, good etiquette is key. Introduce yourself to other players before starting a match. It’s a friendly way to kick things off.
Remember to call out the score before each serve. In singles, you’ll say your score first, then your opponent’s.
Keep the game fun and respectful. Don’t use bad language or yell at other players. Be a good sport whether you win or lose.
Bring your own balls to the court. It’s polite and shows you’re prepared to play.
When the game ends, shake hands or tap paddles with your opponent. Thank them for the match, win or lose.
If there’s a referee, thank them too. They’re helping make the game fair for everyone.
Remember, pickleball is about having fun. Your good manners will make the game more enjoyable for you and your opponent.
Changing Ends
In singles pickleball, players switch sides of the court at certain points during the game. This keeps things fair and adds a bit of strategy to the match.
Switching Sides
You’ll change ends of the court with your opponent at specific times. After each game, players swap sides. This means if you started on one side for the first game, you’ll start on the opposite side for the second game.
During a game, you’ll also switch sides when the first server’s score reaches 6 points. This rule helps balance out any advantages one side might have, like sun glare or wind direction.
Remember, when you switch sides, you keep your same score. The change is just about where you’re standing on the court.
Maintaining Fairness
Changing ends helps keep the game fair for both players. Each side of the court might have slight differences that could give one player an edge.
By switching sides, you both get a chance to play from each end. This evens out any court advantages over the course of the match.
It’s your job to remember when to switch. The referee won’t remind you, so keep an eye on the score. If you’re playing without a ref, work with your opponent to track when it’s time to change sides.
Switching also gives you a quick break to catch your breath and reset mentally. Use this time wisely to refocus and plan your strategy for the next part of the game.
Ending the Game
The end of a singles pickleball game is an exciting time. You need to know how to win and what to do after the match is over.
Winning the Game
To win a singles pickleball game, you must score 11 points and be ahead by at least 2. If the score is tied at 10-10, you keep playing until one player leads by 2 points. For example, the final score could be 12-10 or 15-13.
Remember, you can only score points when you’re serving. If you’re receiving, your goal is to win the rally and get the serve back. Once you have the serve, you can start racking up points.
Keep an eye on the score. It’s easy to lose track in the heat of the game. Call out the score before each serve to stay on top of things.
Shaking Hands
After the game ends, it’s time to show good sportsmanship. Walk to the net to meet your opponent. Shake hands or tap paddles, depending on what you both prefer.
This is a great time to say “good game” or give a compliment. Maybe your opponent had an awesome serve or made a great shot. Let them know you noticed!
Don’t forget to thank the referee if there was one. They work hard to keep the game fair and fun for everyone.
Remember, win or lose, it’s all about having a good time and improving your skills. Treat your opponent with respect and you’ll both enjoy the game more.
