Can You Play Pickleball Singles? FAQ

Yes. You can play pickleball singles. It's a standard format with the same court, kitchen rules, and two-bounce rule as doubles. Scoring uses two numbers instead of three, and you'll cover more ground. In UK leisure centres, doubles socials are still more common, but singles is fine anytime you have two players and a court.

How singles scoring works

Only the server scores, same as doubles. Games usually go to 11, win by two.

Call two numbers: your score, then theirs. There's no third number because there's no partner and no second server. When you win a rally as the server, you get a point and switch sides. When you lose it, the serve passes to your opponent, no "second server" waiting in the wings.

Serve from the right when your score is even (0, 2, 4…) and from the left when it's odd (1, 3, 5…). Your position is a living reminder of your score, which is handy when you've lost track mid-chat.

Full doubles context: pickleball scoring explained. Why doubles starts on 0-0-2: why the score is 0-0-2. Calling confidently: how to keep score.

Rules that stay the same

• Underarm serve, diagonally, contact below the waist (serve rules)
• Serve and return must bounce (two-bounce rule)
• No volleying while in the kitchen / non-volley zone

Kitchen FAQ: what is the kitchen. You can still step into the kitchen to play a bounced ball, just don't volley from inside it.

Singles vs doubles in practice

Singles rallies feel longer because there's more open court. Soft dinks still matter (what is a dink), but you'll run more side to side and defend more lobs. If you're used to doubles hiding on the left or right, singles removes the hiding place.

Finding singles games in the UK

Most advertised sessions are doubles, four to a court keeps halls efficient. Options that work:

• Book court hire for two via the homepage search and play singles with a mate
• Ask on a club WhatsApp if anyone fancies a singles hit before the social
• Use quieter off-peak indoor slots when halls aren't packed
• Play "skinny singles" on half a court if space is shared (house rule. Agree first)

Venues that make hire straightforward include Park Sports Chiswick outdoors and halls like Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre, Lee Valley VeloPark, or Meadowbank Sports Centre. Browse London, Manchester, or Edinburgh for more.

If you've only got two people and wondered whether doubles rules somehow ban singles, they don't, related read: can you play pickleball with two people.

Strategy notes for beginners

• Serve deep to push your opponent back
• Return deep, then decide whether to move in
• Don't rush every third ball. A soft drop still works in singles
• Expect longer points; pace your breathing
• Call the score every time, with only two of you, disagreements escalate faster

Quick FAQ

Is singles "real" pickleball? Yes. Tournaments include singles events; clubs just emphasise doubles because four people share a court efficiently.

Do I need a smaller court? No. Same 20×44ft court.

Should beginners start singles? Doubles is gentler for a first social. Try singles once the rules feel familiar.

Any different kitchen rule? No.

Can we play singles during a doubles social? Only if organisers agree and courts allow, don't commandeer a court for singles when eight people are waiting.

Book a court, bring one other person, call two numbers. You're playing singles.