Pickleball Singles Rules

Pickleball rules singles scoring uses two numbers: call your score first, then your opponent's score. Serve from the right when your score is even, including zero, and from the left when it is odd. Under standard scoring, only the server earns points, and losing a rally transfers the serve immediately.

Which side do I serve from at an even or odd score?

USA Pickleball rule 5.A.1 requires you to choose your serving side using your own score. Serve from the right at zero or an even score, and from the left at an odd score. Your serve travels diagonally into the opposite service court, regardless of your opponent's score (rule 7.E).

Even score: serve from your right

At zero or an even score, serve from behind your right-hand baseline into the diagonal service court (rules 5.A.1 and 7.E). Both feet must stay behind the baseline within the imaginary extensions of the centerline and sideline until contact.

Odd score: serve from your left

At an odd score, serve from behind your left-hand baseline into the other diagonal service court. Keep your feet within the correct serving area behind the baseline at contact (rules 7.A.1 to 7.A.3).

How is the singles score called?

Call the server's score first during every turn, followed immediately by the receiver's score. USA Pickleball rule 6.B.1 requires two numbers in singles, beginning the match at 0-0. Singles calls omit the third number used in doubles because you have no partner.

Standard singles games are played to 11 points, and you must win by at least two points. A tie at 10-10 requires play to continue until one player earns a two-point lead.

You can test this sequence with the Call the score tool set to singles mode to 11. Start at 0-0 and select serving side won: the call becomes 1-0, and the server moves left. Select receiving side won next: the serve transfers to your opponent, who calls 0-1 from the right.

The score call always begins with the active server rather than a fixed player order. When possession shifts, the scores reverse in the call to reflect the new server's tally. For a complete overview of match scoring, read our pickleball rules and scoring guide.

What happens when the server loses a rally?

When the server loses a rally, the opponent receives the serve immediately without earning a point. In standard side-out scoring, this transfer of service is called a side out. Singles matches feature no second server before service transfers to the other player.

If you win a rally while serving, you score one point and switch to the other serving side. You continue serving and alternating sides after every point until you lose a rally. Once you lose a rally on serve, your turn ends immediately without a second attempt.

USA Pickleball's singles and doubles rules differ mainly in service sequence and score calls:

The opening doubles exception, where only one partner serves in the first frame, does not apply to singles. Both players have standard side outs right from the start of the match. If you also play doubles, practice doubles score calling separately so three-number habits do not confuse your singles calls.

Do the kitchen and two-bounce rules change?

The kitchen and two-bounce rules apply in singles exactly as they do in doubles. The kitchen, formally known as the non-volley zone, extends 7 feet from each side of the net (rule 3.A.4.c). All perimeter boundary lines enclosing the zone belong to the kitchen itself.

Rule 11.A forbids volleying while touching the kitchen or stepping on any part of the non-volley line. Momentum from a volley cannot carry you into the kitchen, even after the ball becomes dead. You may stand in the kitchen when not volleying, and you may enter to hit a ball that has bounced (rule 11.A).

The two-bounce rule requires the serve to bounce before the receiver hits the return. That return must also bounce once before the server strikes the third shot (rule 10.A). After those first two bounces, either player may volley from outside the kitchen or play off one bounce.

Is the court size different for standard singles?

Standard singles pickleball uses the full 20 × 44-foot court without any modifications. USA Pickleball specifies identical dimensions for singles and doubles, measured to the outside edge of the boundary lines (rules 3.A.1 and 3.A.2). Singles players must cover the complete court area on their own without altered boundaries.

Unlike tennis, pickleball features no narrower singles sidelines on a regulation court. The service court lines limit only where the serve must land on the opening shot. During a rally, any ball touching an opponent's outer boundary line counts as in (rule 8.B). On the serve, however, touching the kitchen line counts as out (rule 8.C). For line details and run-off space requirements, consult our official court dimensions guide.

How do local variations differ from the official format described here?

Confirm whether your group plays standard full-court singles with side-out scoring before you begin. Recreational open-play sessions sometimes modify usable court widths, target point totals, or scoring systems. Clarifying these details in advance prevents disagreements once the game gets underway.

Sections 14.A.2 to 14.A.5 of the USA Pickleball rulebook outline provisional rally scoring formats. Under rally scoring, every completed rally awards a point regardless of which player served. In contrast, standard side-out scoring allows only the active server to earn points on the scoreboard.

Half-court games differ substantially from regulation full-court play. USA Pickleball defines mini-singles, a half-court variation, under rule 14.B, while recreational groups often set their own boundaries. Before starting a casual match, agree which version you play. Sanctioned tournament competitions follow standard rulebook guidelines rather than local house rules.