Pickleball is a fun and engaging sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It’s played on a court similar to a badminton court with a net at the center, using paddles and a perforated plastic ball. Here’s a detailed guide on how to play doubles in pickleball.

To start, you need four players, two on each team. Each team occupies one side of the court, divided into two sections: the left service court and the right service court. The server starts from the right service court.

The game begins with a serve. The server must serve underhand, hitting the ball diagonally across the net to the opponent’s service court. The ball must clear the non-volley zone, also known as the “kitchen,” a seven-foot area on both sides of the net. The server must keep both feet behind the baseline during the serve. The serve continues to alternate between teams until a point is scored.

The receiving team must let the serve bounce once before returning it, and the serving team must also let the return bounce once before hitting it back. This rule, known as the “double bounce rule,” is crucial in pickleball. After the ball has bounced once on each side, players can either volley the ball (hit it before it bounces) or play it off a bounce. However, volleying is not allowed within the kitchen.

In doubles pickleball, players must stay in their respective service courts and only switch positions after scoring a point. The player on the right always serves or receives the first serve of a new game. After a point is scored, the server moves to the left court and continues to serve, and partners keep switching positions as long as they keep scoring.

Scoring in pickleball is unique. Only the serving team can score points. If the serving team wins a rally, they score a point. If the receiving team wins, no point is scored, but the serve switches to them. The first team to reach 11 points with a minimum lead of 2 points wins the game. If the game reaches a tie at 10-10, play continues until one team has a 2-point lead.

Communication between partners in doubles pickleball is crucial. Teams need to strategize and coordinate their movements to cover the court effectively and set up offensive and defensive plays. It’s important to know when to stay back and when to approach the net. A common strategy is for both players to move up to the net in a line, known as “stacking,” to control the volley and put pressure on the opponents.

In terms of faults, several actions can stop play and result in a point for the other team or a loss of serve. These include hitting the ball out of bounds, not letting the ball bounce once on each side at the start of each point, volleying the ball in the kitchen, and hitting the ball into the net.

Pickleball is a game of precision, strategy, and agility. It requires good hand-eye coordination, quick reflexes, and strategic positioning. While the rules may seem complex at first, with practice, you’ll find the game easy to understand and incredibly enjoyable. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a beginner, doubles pickleball offers a great way to enjoy physical activity and social interaction.

If you’re eager to elevate your doubles pickleball game and are in search of effective training, look no further than I&G Pickleball. This renowned training program is designed to cater to beginners and intermediate players, helping them refine their skills and understand the nuances of the game.