Pickleball Singles Serving Rules: Everything You Need to Know

While doubles often gets the spotlight in pickleball, singles play brings its own unique pace and strategy. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the serve. If you’re stepping onto the court for a one-on-one match, knowing the rules for singles serving can give you a strong start—and a real edge.

Let’s walk through the essential serving rules for singles pickleball, along with how they differ from doubles.

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The Core Rules Still Apply

Just like in doubles, the serve in singles must be made underhand, with the paddle striking the ball below the waist. At least one foot must remain behind the baseline until contact is made, and the ball must be hit diagonally across the court into the receiver’s service area.

These foundational rules ensure fair play and consistent form, whether in casual games or competitive tournaments.

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Serving Position: Even and Odd Rule

In singles, players don’t rotate sides with a partner—but they do rotate court positions based on their score.

• If the server’s score is even (0, 2, 4, etc.), the serve is made from the right-hand side of the court.
• If the server’s score is odd (1, 3, 5, etc.), the serve comes from the left-hand side.

This rotation ensures both players get equal exposure to forehand and backhand returns and keeps play fair throughout the match.

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Scoring and Serving in Singles

Only the server can earn points, and matches are typically played to 11 or 15 points, win by 2. When the server wins a rally, they score a point and switch sides (from right to left or vice versa) to serve the next point.

If the server loses the rally, it's a side-out, and the opponent takes over serving. Unlike doubles, where two players per team serve before a side-out, singles is straightforward: one player serves at a time, and possession switches after each lost point.

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No Server Number Needed

In doubles play, servers are labeled “1” or “2” to help track turns. In singles, this designation isn’t necessary. There’s only one server per side, so score announcements are simplified to just two numbers: the server’s score followed by the receiver’s score.

For example, a call of “5-3” means the server has five points and the receiver has three.

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Court Coverage and Strategy

Singles serving in pickleball is about more than just putting the ball in play—it’s also a strategic opportunity. Because players have to cover the entire court alone, the placement of the serve can make a big difference. A deep serve to the backhand or a low, angled serve can force your opponent off balance from the start.

After the serve, players must be prepared to cover more ground than in doubles, making stamina, footwork, and shot placement even more important.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even seasoned players occasionally trip up on singles serving rules. Here are a few of the most common pitfalls:

• Serving from the wrong side based on score
• Forgetting to switch sides after winning a point
• Stepping on or over the baseline before the serve
• Not hitting the serve diagonally

Remaining mindful of these details keeps rallies clean and avoids unnecessary faults.

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Final Thoughts

Singles pickleball serving may seem simple on the surface, but it plays a major role in match momentum. Unlike doubles, where teamwork affects every rally, singles puts the full weight of play—and positioning—on one player.

Mastering the serve, understanding court rotation, and anticipating your opponent’s return all help you stay in control from the very first shot. Whether you're entering your first singles match or refining your game, knowing the serving rules is a solid step toward better performance.