17 Most Important Pickleball Rules Singles

Can you play singles pickleball? or do you serve twice in singles pickleball?

Pickleball is a sport that has been around for over 50 years, and in recent years it has seen an explosion in popularity. It can be played as singles or doubles, but this article will focus on pickleball rules singles so you won’t loss any points.
Pickleball singles is a game for two players instead of four. Pickleball singles rules are fairly straightforward, but some nuances can make all the difference in winning or losing. This article will go over and above to explain the top 20 pickleball singles rules so you can get out on the court and start playing like a pro!

Pickleball Rules Singles

These pickleball rules for two players are slightly different than double rules. You must follow these, so you don’t miss any points to lose the match. Let’s look at these rules to learn.

Serve

The serve is one of the most critical aspects of pickleball singles play. The server must hit an underhand serve from behind the baseline, with one foot remaining inside until contact is made with the ball. The ball must travel over the net and land within the opposite service box diagonally across from them.

If it does not land in bounds or goes out of bounds after bouncing once, it is considered a fault, and the opponent will score a point. If both players commit faults on their serves consecutively, then they will switch sides without any points being awarded. This rule helps keep things fair if one player has difficulty serving consistently due to wind or other factors outside their control.

Return of Serve

After your opponent serves, you have three chances to return their serve to their service box before you lose a point. You may only hit the ball once per volley (or rally),  so if you miss your first shot, you must wait until your next turn to try again. 

Volley Zone

When returning your opponent’s serve, you must do so from within the “volley zone,” which extends 7 feet from either side of the net along both sides of the court up to where each player’s baseline begins. If you step outside of this area when volleying or hitting a groundstroke, it is considered a fault, and your opponent will receive a point. 

Scoring

In pickleball singles play, points are scored by either serving an ace (a direct hit into your opponent’s service box without them being able to return it) or by forcing your opponent into making an error, such as missing their return shot or stepping out of bounds while returning their serve/groundstrokes/volleys etc.. The first player to score 11 points wins the game unless both players reach 10 points, at which time whoever scores two more points than their opponent wins (this is known as “winning by two”). 

Double Bounce Rule

In pickleball singles play, players must allow their opponents’ shots two bounces before they can hit them back (this rule does not apply when returning serves). This means that if you hit your opponent’s shot after only one bounce, then it is considered a fault, and your opponent will receive a point (similarly, if they do not allow your two bounces, then they would also incur a fault). 

No Volley Zone

There is an area near either side of the net known as “the no-volley zone,” which extends 7 feet from either side of the net along both sides of the court up to where each player’s baseline begins (this rule does not apply when returning serves).  

Service Order

In pickleball singles, players alternate serving after every two points scored until one person reaches 11 points. At this time, they become eligible for another serve immediately following their last one, regardless of how many points have been scored since their last serve attempt (this rule does not apply when returning serves). 

Let Rule

A lot occurs when something interrupts play, such as interference from spectators/players/objects, etc., in which case no point shall be awarded. Play shall resume with no penalty assessed against either player involved in that particular rally/shot exchange (this rule does not apply when returning serves).  

Out Calls

When playing pickleball singles, any shots that land beyond the boundaries of either end line are deemed outcalls and thus result in a loss of points for whichever player made contact with said shot before landing outside these boundaries (this rule does not apply when returning serves).  

Touching Net Rule

In pickleball, and singles play, touching any part of the net during rally exchange results in a loss of points for whichever player made contact with a said net before the completion of said rally exchange(this rule does not apply when returning serves).  

Carry Rule

In pickleball, singles play, carrying any part of paddle over net during rally exchange results in loss of point for whichever player made contact with said paddle before the completion of said rally exchange(this rule does not apply when returning serves).  

Foot Fault Rule

In pickleball singles play, stepping on any part outside boundary lines during rally exchange results in loss of point for whichever player made contact with said boundary lines before completion of said rally exchange(this rule does not apply when returning serves) . 

Short Serve Rule

In pickleball singles court play, hitting any part of the serve out of the opponent’s service box results in a loss of points for whichever player made contact with said serve before completion of said rally exchange ( this doesn’t apply when returning serves ) .  

Interference With Opponents Shot Rule

In pickle singles play, interfering with opponents shot through blocking or obstructing it in any way results in loss of point for whichever player made contact with said interference before completion of said rally exchange (this doesn’t apply when returning serves) .  

Unforced Error On Serve Attempt Rule

In pickle singles, serving error caused by lack of our concentration while attempting to serve results in loss of point for the server before completion of said serve attempt. (this doesn’t apply when returning spin serves) 

Intentional Delay Of Play Rule

In pickles single play deliberately delaying start or resumption of game by either player results in loss of points for the delaying player before completion of the game.

Illegal Equipment Use Rule

In pickles single play using equipment that does not meet official rules and regulations results in a loss of points for the player using illegal equipment before completion of the game.(this doesn’t apply when returning serves)