What is the Starting Score of a Doubles Pickleball Game?
My heart pounded with anticipation as I prepared for my debut doubles pickleball match. I had heard that the starting score differed from singles, but I couldn’t recall the details. As the whistle blew, I nervously glanced at the scoreboard, hoping I wouldn’t make any embarrassing mistakes.
To my relief, the starting score in doubles pickleball is 0-0. This meant I didn’t have to worry about losing points right away and could focus on getting my bearings. As the game progressed, I realized that the unique scoring system added an extra layer of strategy and excitement to the match.
Serving in Doubles Pickleball
Doubles pickleball shares many similarities with singles, including the basic rules of serving. The game starts with the serving team choosing one player to serve. The server must hit the ball diagonally across the net into their opponent’s service court, ensuring that it bounces once on each side of the net.
In doubles, each player on the serving team gets one opportunity to serve. If a player faults while serving, their partner takes over. The server continues to alternate shots until they fault, at which point the receiving team takes over serving.
Scoring in Doubles Pickleball
The scoring system in doubles pickleball is slightly different from singles. In doubles, a point is scored when:
- The opposing team fails to return the ball.
- The opposing team hits the ball out of bounds.
- The opposing team hits the ball into the net.
- The opposing team commits a double hit or carries the ball.
The team that wins a point serves the next point, and the game continues until one team reaches 11 points. However, there is a catch – the winning team must win by at least two points. If both teams are tied at 10-10, play continues until one team wins by two points, such as 12-10 or 13-11.
Latest Trends and Developments in Doubles Pickleball
Pickleball has seen tremendous growth in popularity over the past few years, and this has led to several new trends and developments in doubles play:
- Increased Use of Drop Shots: Drop shots are becoming increasingly common in doubles, as they can be more effective at getting the ball around opponents than traditional groundstrokes.
- Greater Focus on Strategy: Doubles teams are placing a greater emphasis on strategy, as they need to work together to create scoring opportunities and cover the court effectively.
- Rise of Mixed Doubles: Mixed doubles, which involves one male and one female player on each team, is becoming more popular as it provides a unique challenge and allows players of different skill levels to compete.
Tips and Expert Advice for Doubles Pickleball
Here are some tips and expert advice to help you improve your doubles pickleball game:
- Communicate with Your Partner: Communication is key in doubles pickleball. Talk to your partner about who will cover which areas of the court and discuss your strategy for each point.
- Learn to Hit Drop Shots: Drop shots can be a game-changer in doubles pickleball. Practice hitting drop shots to improve your ability to get the ball around opponents.
- Cover the Court Effectively: As a doubles team, you need to cover the court effectively to prevent your opponents from getting easy shots. This means moving quickly and communicating with your partner to avoid leaving any gaps.
By following these tips and practicing regularly, you can improve your doubles pickleball game and enjoy the thrill of this fast-paced and exciting sport.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the starting score of a doubles pickleball game?
A: 0-0
Q: How do you win a point in doubles pickleball?
A: By hitting the ball into your opponent’s court and they fail to return it, hit it out of bounds, hit it into the net, or commit a double hit or carry the ball.
Q: How many points do you need to win a game in doubles pickleball?
A: 11 points, winning by at least two points.
Q: Can you score points on your opponent’s serve in doubles pickleball?
A: Yes, if your opponent faults on their serve or hits the ball out of bounds.
Q: Can you hit the ball twice in a row in doubles pickleball?
A: No, each player can only hit the ball once before their partner must hit it.
Conclusion
The starting score of a doubles pickleball game is 0-0, and teams play until one team reaches 11 points and wins by at least two points. Doubles pickleball is a fast-paced and exciting sport that requires strategy, communication, and teamwork.
If you’re interested in learning more about doubles pickleball, I encourage you to check out the following resources:
- USA Pickleball Association: https://usapickleball.org/
- International Federation of Pickleball: https://www.ifp-pickleball.org/
- Pickleball Central: https://www.pickleballcentral.com/
