Section 4: Players & Officials
Formats of Play
Pickleball is played in two formats:
- Doubles: Two players per side. This is the most popular format and the standard for most recreational and competitive play. Partners share the court and alternate service positions.
- Singles: One player per side. Singles pickleball uses the same court dimensions and rules, with adaptations for serving position based on the server's score (even or odd).
Player Positions — Doubles (Rule 4.B)
In doubles, each team designates a first server and a second server at the start of each service turn. The server must serve from the correct service area based on the serving team's score: when the score is even, the server stands in the right/even court; when odd, in the left/odd court. The receiving team's players must be positioned in their respective service courts and cannot switch until after the ball is served.
Serving Rotation — Doubles
At the beginning of the game, the starting team has only one service turn (the first server serves until a fault is committed). Thereafter, both partners on each team serve before a side-out occurs. The server calls the score in a three-number format: serving team's score, receiving team's score, server number (1 or 2). For example, "4-2-1" means the serving team has 4 points, the receiving team has 2 points, and it is the first server's turn.
Referee and Line Judges (Rules 13–14)
In sanctioned tournament play, matches are officiated by a certified referee. The referee is responsible for calling the score, determining faults, managing the match, and enforcing the rules. Some tournaments also employ line judges to assist with line calls on the baselines and sidelines. In non-officiated recreational play, players are expected to make their own line calls honestly, giving the benefit of the doubt to the opponent on close calls.
Player Conduct (Rule 13.G)
Players are expected to maintain sportsmanlike conduct at all times. Verbal abuse, excessive profanity, intentional distraction, racket abuse, and unsportsmanlike behavior may result in warnings, technical fouls, or match forfeiture at the referee's discretion. Players may not unreasonably delay the game.