Who Serves First In Pickleball?

Pickleball is an increasingly popular sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It is played on a court similar to a badminton court, with a net that stands 34 inches in the center. 

A key part of the game is determining who serves first. This article will explain how to decide who serves first in pickleball.

Who Serves First In A Pickleball Game?

One of the first rules to consider when playing pickleball is who serves first. This decision can be made using any fair method such as rock/paper/scissors, closest to a number, or coin flip. 

The player who wins the choice will then determine whether they want to service first or defer it to their opponent. In singles, this would mean players are serving from the right-hand side on alternate turns.

What About When Playing Doubles?

When playing doubles, generally speaking, you want your strongest server to serve first, so you have a higher chance of scoring a point early on in the game. 

The server must direct the ball into the diagonal service box, which lies between the non-volley zone line and baseline. 

Falling short or going too long over this area will result in an illegal serve; sending it out of bounds or into the net causes an immediate point for the lucky receiver! 

What About When The Serving Team loses Their Turn To Serve?

Serving and receiving are key components of any doubles match in the game of tennis. If one team has just lost its turn to serve, the service immediately shifts over to the opposing team, who must then serve from the right-hand court. 

This same rule applies even if the recently serving team had just won several points. 

It is important to remember these rules regardless of which side you are on because it helps you keep track of how long your opponent has been serving.

As long as a player keeps winning points, they will continue to alternate sides; however, once their scoring streak is broken, their opponents take their turn in going from left to right or vice versa as dictated by this fundamental part of doubles tennis play.

What Are The Basic Rules For Scoring

Scoring a point in pickleball requires that the team serving the ball win the rally. This is true for both singles and doubles matches. 

When playing doubles, teams have to win at least two rallies before they can begin to score. Even when a point is scored, many other points in pickleball do not alter the actual score of the game. 

How Are Points Won Or Lost?

Pickleball is a sport that requires players to strategize in order to win points. An exchange is won when the opposing team commits a fault. 

However, even if an exchange is won, it does not guarantee a point for the winning side. In order for the winning side to receive a point, they must also be the serving team.

In Pickleball, there are multiple faults that can be committed by either team, which can result in them forfeiting an exchange or point. One of the most common faults occurs during service when the ball touches any part of the non-volley zone. 

What Are The Best Tips For Serving In Pickleball?

Serving in pickleball is one of the most important skills to master, as it can make or break the point. When you are able to consistently keep your opponent off balance and consistently put the ball in play, you have a huge advantage over them. 

To achieve this level of consistency, it’s essential to have a good understanding of the rules and practice strategies for every point. Here are some tips that can help enhance your game.

Pick Your Target

It is important to pick your target when playing pickleball, as it will help you focus and increase your chances of success. This is especially true for players who have a more powerful forehand when playing from behind the baseline. 

It can be beneficial to aim for the area of the court that places the ball close to the opponent’s backhand, thus giving you a slight advantage. 

If you are new to the sport, it is best to start by aiming for the middle area of your opponent’s receiving area. 

Continental Grip

One of the first grips you need to learn when playing is the continental grip. This grip is typically used for servers and volleys and works well for beginners as it does not require a lot of manipulation of your hand placement on each shot. 

The main advantage of using this grip is that it sets you up in a ready position, allowing you to get comfortable with the technique of serving.

Use Your Entire Body To Swing

When serving in pickleball, it is important to utilize your whole body in order to achieve optimal power and accuracy. 

To do this, position yourself facing the side of the court with your legs bent and twist at the waist as you swing through with your shoulder and arm. 

Many players make the mistake of only using their wrist and elbow when striking the ball, which results in softly hit shots that are easy for opponents to return. 

Using your whole body will help protect you from injuries to the wrist and elbow tendons, while also providing plenty of power on each serve.

Mixing Up Your Serves

Mixing up your servers can be a great way to challenge your opponent and give yourself the best chance at winning points. 

By varying the speed, position, and spin on your serve, you’re able to make it less predictable for your opponent and thereby increase your chances of coming away with a point. 

Final Thoughts

In pickleball, the first player to serve is determined by a coin toss. Both players stand on opposite sides of the net, and an umpire or referee flips a coin in the middle of the court to decide who serves first. 

The winner then chooses which side they would like to serve from, with the opposing player standing on the other side of the court.