How Do You Play Singles Pickleball: Rules & Strategy

In singles pickleball, serve diagonally, follow the two-bounce rule, and win by 2.

If you’ve ever wondered how do you play singles pickleball with confidence and control, you’re in the right place. I’ve coached new and seasoned players for years, and I’ll show you how to master serves, scoring, footwork, and winning tactics. Stick with me and you’ll learn how do you play singles pickleball like a pro, with simple steps and real on-court examples.

Singles pickleball basics: court, rules, and gear

If you’re asking how do you play singles pickleball, start with the court and core rules. The court is the same size as doubles, but you cover all of it. The non-volley zone (the kitchen) is 7 feet from the net on both sides. You can volley outside the kitchen, but never inside it or on the line.

Know these three base rules:

Serve underhand or use a drop serve. Hit it cross-court past the kitchen line.
Follow the two-bounce rule. The serve must bounce, and the return must bounce.
After that, you may volley or hit off the bounce, but avoid stepping into the kitchen on a volley.

Gear tips I give new singles players:

Pick a light to midweight paddle for faster hand speed and control.
Use an outdoor ball if you play outside. It’s harder and flies straighter in wind.
Wear court shoes with side support. Singles needs quick stops and starts.

If you want a quick mental model for how do you play singles pickleball, think chess with sprints. Place the ball, move your feet, then attack open space.

Serving rules and tactics in singles

Serving in singles wins free points when done right. If a player asks me how do you play singles pickleball with a strong start, I point to the serve.

Key serve rules:

Serve cross-court into the opposite service box.
Your score sets your side. Even score serves from the right. Odd score from the left.
The ball must clear the kitchen line on the serve. Hitting that line is a fault.
You can use a volley serve or a drop serve. Check current rules for spin limits.

Simple serve plan:

Aim deep to the backhand. Depth pushes the returner back.
Mix speeds and locations. Go body, then corner.
Add a surprise short serve now and then to draw them in.

In my last league final, I used a deep kicker serve to the backhand five times in a row. It set up weak returns I could attack on ball three. That’s how do you play singles pickleball with intent.

Scoring made simple for singles

Many players freeze on scoring. Here’s how do you play singles pickleball without score stress.

Games are usually to 11, win by 2. Only the server can score.
Call the score as server first, then receiver. For example, 6–4.
If you score a point, you switch sides and serve again. Keep serving until you lose a rally.
There is no third number like in doubles. It’s just two numbers.

Fast example:

You start at 0–0 on the right. You serve cross-court and win. Call 1–0 and move to the left.
If you lose the next rally, it’s side out at 1–0. Your opponent serves at 0–1 from their right.

Once you nail this, how do you play singles pickleball becomes less mental math and more flow.

Where to stand and move: positioning and footwork

Good footwork is your best friend in singles. If you ask me how do you play singles pickleball with fewer errors, I’ll say move first, then swing.

Positioning basics:

On your serve, stay behind the baseline until you hit, then split-step near the middle.
On return, stand 1 to 2 feet behind the baseline. Aim deep middle, then recover to center.
Guard the middle. It covers both forehand and backhand with fewer steps.

Footwork cues I teach:

Split-step as your opponent hits. It readies your legs for either side.
Use small adjustment steps. No lunges unless needed.
After a wide shot, recover to the middle of the likely next ball, not the court’s exact center.

A simple rule for how do you play singles pickleball with better coverage: hit toward one corner and recover to take away the next open lane.

Shot selection and patterns that win points

In singles, shot choice is about time and space. How do you play singles pickleball to create time for you and steal time from them? Aim deep, change direction only on easy balls, and go at big targets.

High-value shots:

Deep cross-court return. It buys time to recover.
Third shot drive up the line when they cheat middle.
Inside-out forehand to pull them off the court.
Short angle when they camp deep. Make them run forward.

Point patterns I use a lot:

Serve deep body, then attack the next ball to the open court.
Return deep cross-court, recover middle, then play the next ball to the weaker wing.
When ahead, hit deep, heavy balls and make them swing from behind the baseline.

If you keep asking how do you play singles pickleball with a simple plan, try this: deep, safe, middle until they float one. Then change direction to the open space.

Practice plan: drills to build your singles game

Drills turn ideas into wins. If you want a step-by-step on how do you play singles pickleball better each week, use this 30-minute plan.

Five-minute serves. Pick a corner and hit 20 deep serves, then 20 to body.
Five-minute returns. Partner serves. You aim deep cross-court and recover to middle.
Ten-minute plus-one. Serve, then attack the next ball to open space. Reset and repeat.
Five-minute approach and finish. Hit a deep ball, move in behind it, and volley to open court.
Five-minute scramble. Partner moves you side to side. Focus on recovery steps and breath.

Pro tip from my own training: count clean contacts out loud. It locks your focus and speeds up improvement.

Common mistakes and quick fixes

If you ask how do you play singles pickleball without leaking points, avoid these traps.

Standing too wide after a serve. Fix it by split-stepping and recovering to middle.
Going for line winners early. Aim big targets first, then corners late in the rally.
Floating short returns. Hit deep cross-court and lift with your legs.
Rushing the net on bad balls. Approach only when you push them back or pull them wide.
Overhitting. Smooth swing, high margin, and clear the net by a safe height.

I once lost a match by hugging the sideline after my serve. One tweak to recover middle, and the rematch flipped fast. Little fixes make big gains.

Safety, etiquette, and the mental game

Singles is a sprint and a grind. If you want to know how do you play singles pickleball for the long haul, protect your body and play fair.

Safety and etiquette:

Warm up ankles, hips, and shoulders. A few band moves go a long way.
Call lines as you see them. If unsure, call it in.
Hydrate and rest between games. Heat sneaks up fast on hard courts.

Mindset tips:

Breathe out as you hit. It calms nerves and boosts timing.
Pick one cue per game. For example, “deep middle” or “split-step early.”
Shake off misses. Say “next ball” and reset your feet.

This is how do you play singles pickleball with trust in your game. You keep your body safe and your mind steady.

Walk-through: a sample singles point

A clear point shows how do you play singles pickleball under pressure.

You serve from the right at 6–4. Deep to their backhand.
They return deep cross-court. You split-step near middle and hit a heavy cross-court.
They stretch and float one middle short. You step in, change direction down the line.
They run and pop it up. You volley to the open court and finish.

Notice the pattern: deep serve, safe rally ball, then attack the short ball. Simple and clean.

Frequently Asked Questions of how do you play singles pickleball

What is the basic singles pickleball serve rule?

Serve diagonally into the opposite service box and clear the kitchen line. Your score decides your side: even right, odd left.

Can I volley in singles, and where?

Yes, you can volley outside the kitchen. Never volley with a foot in the kitchen or on its line.

How do I keep score in singles?

Only the server scores. Games go to 11, win by 2, and you call server score first.

What is the two-bounce rule?

The serve must bounce, and the return must bounce before either side can volley. After that, you can volley or hit off the bounce.

Where should I stand after I serve?

Serve, then recover toward the middle and split-step as they hit. This guards both sides with fewer steps.

How do I return serve in singles?

Stand a step behind the baseline, aim deep cross-court, and recover to middle. A deep return gives you time and limits their attack.

What is the best beginner tactic in singles?

Hit deep to big targets and move your feet first. Attack only when you see a short or weak ball.

Conclusion

You now know how do you play singles pickleball with clear steps. Serve deep, follow the two-bounce rule, recover to the middle, and attack open space. Keep your shot choices simple and your feet busy, and your game will rise fast.

Take one focus this week, like deep returns or split-steps, and track small wins. If you want more guides like this on how do you play singles pickleball, subscribe or drop a comment with your biggest question.