In pickleball, the first server is not automatically determined by court side, age or team name. USA Pickleball’s basic rules say any fair method can determine which player or team has the first choice of side, serve or receive. A coin toss, number choice or another agreed random method can work. After that choice, serving order follows the format being played.
Who serves first in doubles pickleball?
Under traditional side-out scoring, the player on the right side serves diagonally to the opponent’s right service court. The serving team continues until it commits a fault. Each team normally gets both serving partners before a side out, but the team that starts the game begins with only one server. That is why the opening score is commonly called as 0-0-2: serving team score, receiving team score and “second server.”
Doubles serving sequence
- Use an agreed fair method to decide the first choice of serve, receive or side.
- The starting server serves from the right service court when the serving team’s score is even.
- After winning a rally, the server switches sides and serves again.
- After a fault, service passes to the partner unless it is the opening service turn or the partner has already served.
- After the second server faults, the opponents gain the serve.
Partners do not swap their relative positions unless their team scores while serving. If the sequence becomes confusing, pause and reconstruct the last correct server, score and court positions before resuming.
Who serves first in singles pickleball?
Singles uses one server per side. The server begins from the right service court when the server’s score is even and from the left when the score is odd. A fault gives the serve to the opponent.
How is the first serve delivered?
The serve is made diagonally into the opposite service court, beyond the non-volley-zone line. USA Pickleball permits the volley serve and drop serve when performed within the current rules. Because rules and tournament procedures can change, players should use the current rulebook and the event director’s instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Does the winner of a coin toss always have to serve?
No. The winner of the agreed selection method generally has the first choice of side, serve or receive under USA Pickleball’s basic rules.
Why does a doubles game start at 0-0-2?
The “2” identifies the starting team’s opening server as the second server for that first service turn. This prevents the starting team from receiving two service opportunities before the opponents receive one.
Can local leagues use a different scoring format?
Yes. A league or event may specify rally scoring or other procedures. Confirm the format before play rather than assuming traditional side-out scoring.
New to the rest of the game? Continue with our pickleball rules and beginner guides.
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