Can You Play Pickleball Doubles? Rules and Strategies

Yes, you absolutely can play pickleball doubles—and it’s actually the most common way the game is played. Whether you're a casual weekend player or entering tournaments, doubles play brings fast-paced action, teamwork, and a layer of strategy that’s different from singles.

In this guide, we’ll break down how doubles pickleball works, the official rules, and smart strategies to help you and your partner stay competitive.

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What Is Doubles Pickleball?

Doubles pickleball involves four players—two on each team—playing on a standard-size court. The rules are nearly identical to singles pickleball, but the presence of two players per side introduces more complex positioning, communication, and coordination.

It’s widely popular because it’s easier on the body, more social, and typically results in longer rallies than singles.

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Serving Rules in Doubles

Serving in doubles follows a unique system that confuses many new players at first. Here's how it works:

• Both players on a team get a chance to serve before the serve switches to the other team—except at the start of the game.
• At the start of the game, only one player from the first serving team serves.
• The server must always serve from the right-hand side of the court, and alternate sides after winning points.
• The serve must land in the diagonal service box and clear the non-volley zone.

The team that’s serving continues serving as long as they keep scoring points. When they lose a rally, the serve passes to their partner. If they lose the next rally, it’s a side out and the opposing team gets the serve.

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Court Positioning in Doubles

Smart positioning is key to successful doubles play. Here are the basics:

• After the serve and return, both players on the serving team usually try to move forward toward the non-volley zone (kitchen).
• Staying at the net gives you better angles and more control.
• Teams often move side-to-side together to cover the court as a unit.

Miscommunication or poor spacing can lead to open gaps and easy points for your opponents.

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The Non-Volley Zone Rule

In doubles—as in singles—players can’t volley (hit the ball out of the air) while standing inside the non-volley zone, also known as the kitchen.

This rule prevents aggressive net play and encourages more strategic, soft-touch shots like dinks. In doubles, kitchen awareness becomes even more important because one mistake can cost your team a point.

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Strategy Tips for Doubles Pickleball

Doubles is a game of angles, patience, and teamwork. Here are a few key tactics to help your team win more consistently:

• Dink with purpose – Use soft shots at the net to force errors or open up a put-away opportunity.
• Target the weaker player – In casual games or even tournaments, it’s common to direct more shots toward the player with less control or mobility.
• Communicate constantly – Call shots, warn about lobs, and talk about who’s taking middle balls.
• Don’t both run back on lobs – Have a clear understanding of who covers deep shots to avoid leaving the court empty up front.
• Stay patient – In doubles, long rallies are normal. It’s better to wait for the right shot than try to force a winner.

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Can You Switch Sides with Your Partner?

Yes, but only under specific circumstances. After every point you win while serving, you and your partner switch sides. If you lose the rally, you stay in your current positions until it’s your team’s turn to serve again.

Understanding this flow helps with predicting serves, positioning, and knowing who should be hitting what shot.

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Final Thoughts

Doubles is the backbone of the pickleball community. It’s strategic, fast-paced, and just as fun for beginners as it is for advanced players. Whether you’re playing recreationally or entering a competitive bracket, mastering the unique dynamics of doubles will elevate your game.

And at the end of the day, the real secret to great doubles isn’t just shot selection—it’s teamwork.