Pickleball SINGLES Rules Breakdown

While most people play pickleball doubles, pickleball singles is nearly as much fun, very exciting, and has a similar set of rules. In today's video, we explain how to play pickleball singles.
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It's for the pickleball nerds obsessed with the game ▶ www.thatpickleballguy.com

[@sonsoftheedelweiss72]

My favorite sport just behind bowling and darts. I’m actually starting to feel like an athlete. I’m 62 with 2 back surgeries and started beating a number of 17-21 year olds.

[@fririceyumm3306]

i’ll sleep you old man

[@Markomyt1]

That is fun! BOOM BABY!

[@fririceyumm3306]

@@Markomyt1 i’ll sleep you as well

[@pkmsd8291]

Plot twist: they got disqualified for going too hard 😂

[@zedone8253]

I’m sure they weren’t good lol

[@joshdaley1447]

Most efficient video I have seen to cover the fundamentals. After watching this video a few times and spending a day at the court my wife and I are now not hesitant to play with other people.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad it was helpful! Have fun out there!

[@ApolloUltra]

Absolutely the best video on singles play that I have watched. Single rules explained and demonstrated perfectly. I have watched several videos on the breakdown of the singles rules and this one is top-shelf! Thanks.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Fantastic! Glad it helped!

[@HiiipowerdanniRuns]

I completely agree!

[@Trephining]

Never looked into what pickleball was until I did a search on YTube just a few minutes ago. And this video did a pretty great and clear explanation.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Fantastic! Glad it was helpful!

[@melaniedequardo1071]

Best video I’ve seen. Super helpful

[@zedone8253]

wtf? Another person said in singles, only the server changes from right to left when serving after each point, the other guy stays at his spot.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Incorrect!

[@tbig96]

Such a helpful video man. Thank you!

[@michaelmarino1420]

Great vid, enjoyed the real time play, a lot of rule videos just explain but seeing how they work within a game was very helpful.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@PickleballWill]

Best breakdown videos on the internet 🙏 honored to be in it

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thanks dude!!

[@DFSCASH]

I’m going to go pro in singles one day and I’m starting with this video right here

[@esmesantiago1622]

Great video! Just started playing yesterday for fun! This has helped a lot ready for today!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad to hear it! Enjoy!

[@krizzleschizzle8500]

Thanks for breaking this down so easy! Very nice!

[@thatpickleballguy]

You're welcome :)

[@green7449]

The one thing that blew my mind is that if the ball hits you, even if you are outside of the court. It’s a fault on you, even if the ball was clearly gonna be out. One thing my buddies and I have clarified though is when it comes to public courts. If the ball is out and going towards another court, we catch it even if it hasn’t bounced. Which I know is a fault to who ever catches it, but we don’t want our bad hits to mess up other peoples games.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Fair enough! In that setting that is a fair point as long as established prior to the game so you don't disrupt other games!

[@glogirl78]

Great video for beginners! The best I've seen out there. Nice editing too... with the colored highlighting of the areas of the court and such. Brings home your points well. Thanks!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@flip110119]

Quick and easy to follow break down of the rules! Thank you for sharing…

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ecupirateswag]

Outstanding video, very helpful for this new player!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you think so!

[@Coach_13]

This is AMAZING! Great work guys!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thanks! glad it helped!

[@user-ju8yb9go7b]

Great video! Very well explained! Thank you!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Youre welcome!

[@andrewaulner4759]

Thank you for this excellent video tutorial. You explained everything clearly and concisely, and the gameplay illustrated the rules in a fun and engaging way.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thanks! Glad it helped!

[@uniquexglamllc3022]

Great video. Can you explain win by 2 after 11 points. So is the winner the person who scores 12 or 13?

[@kurlyd4593]

​@@thatpickleballguyif you hit the net while serving and it goes over, is that a foul?

[@hoking93]

I'm starting to play the pickleball in South Korea! I'm a little confused to understand the rules comparing with tennis. Thanks a lot for your great video!!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Absolutely!

[@debbievanderburgh7723]

Great video, very informative and rather funny!! Thx.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@justarandom3865]

been trying to figure out about serving into the net for the longest time this for this video👍👍

[@KaijuKim]

My husband and I have been wanting to try pickleball. This video is perfect for us to get started! Thank you!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Youre welcome!

[@MichaelKada]

No fluffy stuff straight to the point! Love it ❤

[@thatpickleballguy]

can't have the fluff! Just right to the goods.

[@emmawalzer1568]

this helped SO much, love this👏👏

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad it helped!

[@marilynsoto8523]

Great video!!

[@markp3383]

Great stuff - thanks! Any recommendation for a beginner's paddle? I hear many say it is a good idea to spend a little more for a good one in the beginning because if you like it you will always upgrade from a cheaper one.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Here’s the paddle I use. It’s the “power air” www.selkirk.com/products/vanguard-air-s2?variant=40179483344998 Note, I specifically use the “prestige color.” I haven’t run a test on this, but I think it has a little more spin than the other power airs. :) If you’re looking for a less expensive option, I’d go with this one - www.selkirk.com/products/slk-halo?variant=39964829188198 And, I prefer the “power” version. It still has very good touch, in my opinion, but has a little extra pop :) If you go with either of these use my code, “ADV-thatpickleballguy” and you’ll get a digital gift card toward a future purchase.

[@samuelt523]

Great video! You might already have one, but I would love a video that goes more in-depth on singles strategy. I am a solid 4.25 doubles player, but I don't know if I could even compete at a 3.5 singles level (it might be my lack of tennis background, but either way). Things like when to drive vs. drop in singles seem so different than doubles, it would be great to have a video going over some of that type of strategy.

[@thatpickleballguy]

For sure! Here is a more beginner ish video I did on singles, maybe this will give you some ideas - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5S8lKyDr9uMn68 But I definitely could do a more advanced one. It'd probably be in the next couple months though.

[@bradyguy7701]

I think you probably compete at 3.5 Singles, Samuel...but you sound like I used to... I'm 58 and my knees are not great. That's MY big challenge in singles...and I played ONLY doubles for the first six months (Ive been playing about 9 months now...) Besides drive vs. drop, what things do you think would inhibit your singles play....I'd love to hear some other doubles players' opinions.

[@surfing.4ever]

the best video so far. very well done mr

[@thatpickleballguy]

O wow thanks for the encouragement!

[@lilynewton7346]

Awesome video. Thank you!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you liked it!

[@user-yn2ul4hg9w]

This was so helpful! Thank you!

[@thatpickleballguy]

You're welcome!

[@bizlawusa]

This was a good educational video, I am ready to play today.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Good luck! Thanks for watching.

[@JenniNJeff]

Awesome, so helpful!

[@henriettamcdaniel3783]

Hi am a Senior just started playing Pickle ball thank for the tips. Great 🎥?👍👍👍

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thanks for watching! have fun out there!

[@g.crusor-price7032]

Thanks so much for this - we are older and looking for exercise that is fun - looking forward to playing now :)

[@thatpickleballguy]

You're welcome! Enjoy :)

[@billhudson2196]

Great video. Thanks for this.

[@thatpickleballguy]

For Sure!

[@joefarella7483]

New to pickleball and this explained things well and easy, thank you

[@thatpickleballguy]

Fantastic! Glad it helped

[@savannahmancuso2965]

This breakdown is PERFECT!!!! Thank you so much!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad it helped!!

[@GregCoplen-pm4xr]

Great video for a new pickle ball player. Thank you. One question: Can you only say "boom!" after winning a point or can you throw a "c'mon!" or "let's go!" in there as well?

[@thatpickleballguy]

Your call :)

[@TheMonaghan25]

This was fantastic. Thank you.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@PanickingPat]

Great breakdown! Thank you so much for making this easy to understand but can you touch up on the "let" rule when you serve and it hits the net but goes over the kitchen. Do you keep playing or is it a let and you redo? How many redo are you allowed when you serve and it hits the net but goes over the kitchen? Thanks for your time!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Absolutely!

[@KellerBi3r]

Thank you!

[@paulsiskin5824]

Nice video! Very, to the point.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lisajako]

Very good and clear video!🤗

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@edwardmsmith6219]

Love all sports!!! My favorites in order are Golf, Tennis, Table Tennis (Ping Pong), Learning how to play Pickleball at this time.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Love it! If you love Tennis and Table Tennis then you'll enjoy Pickleball since it is a combo of the two!

[@olegyamleq7796]

great video !! Thanks!!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you liked it!

[@kukuJack]

Thank you for the explanation

[@thatpickleballguy]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching :)

[@JasonDotsch]

Great vid!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thank you!

[@thuantran610]

Great explanation. Thanks

[@thatpickleballguy]

You are welcome!

[@sneezer00]

Best video to explain the rules!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JS-824]

Got a few buddies that are really into pickle ball. I see it’s in relation to a big table tennis 🏓. With some rules that differ. Ohhh these guys at work don’t know what beast is sleeping right now. Played table tennis for about 6 yrs everyday straight. This is gonna be fun.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Lets go!!

[@kerryphillips2394]

Great video thanks

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@melvinmyers7314]

Just started playing pickle ball with my wife and this video helped a lot thanks

[@thatpickleballguy]

Awesome! Glad it helped!

[@JVk321]

Honestly best content and tutorial video.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thanks!!

[@plampione]

Great video, really appreciate it. I read something about singles being played on a court half the size of doubles, is that a requirement for singles? There are courts in my town but I don't think any of them are setup for singles specifically, wondering if it is normal to play singles on the same court doubles is played? thanks!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you enjoyed it! Singles is played on the same court as doubles!

[@user-jv9qz2bu1r]

nice tennis strokes Kyle haha - I have a hard tine with the nose the pock pock pock pock drives me crazy so I may dabble in PB tennis is still King

[@campinggrandma5571]

Perfect. Now I know! Thank you.

[@thatpickleballguy]

You're welcome!

[@pinoyh1536]

Best explanation!!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@destinywise1317]

This videos was the best I’ve seen

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thanks for watching!

[@Connor_Dempsey]

Great tutorial

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you think so!

[@jasonvaliant5746]

Thank you for the tips. Let me know if your ever in Palm Coast Florida

[@thatpickleballguy]

You're welcome!

[@samneufeldjazz]

My man don't tell me you forgot the fuzzy wind screen thingy for your DJI mic!!! 😂😉 Great video as always.

[@thatpickleballguy]

not forgot. chose. 😂

[@samneufeldjazz]

@@thatpickleballguy rebel

[@k9feces]

Finally a thorough explanation

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JoVo1111]

I still dont remember anything past ‘must be behind the line to serve’. 😂 Hubby and I will just play like it’s giant ping pong. Still burning calories. Winning! Maybe after we play for awhile, we’ll be more interested in the nuance of real rules. Thanks man.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thanks for watching! Enjoy!

[@fernandosaenz4181]

wow! this was really good at teaching me how to play pickle ball. my freind and me r plyaing tomrorw and i want to beat him up so bad on teh cort hahaha

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@max-andrewmcmillan4235]

good one

[@brandonazimov6524]

So if I decide to do a drop serve, does that mean when my paddle makes contact with the ball the face of the paddle doesn’t need to be below my wrist and I can make contact with the ball above my waist if the ball ends up bouncing on it’s own above that height?

[@thatpickleballguy]

Correct! BUT. You can’t throw the ball down, so ball doesn’t usually bounce above your waist

[@aarondrossart6026]

this may be a silly question.... can a serve return bounce in the kitchen and still be in play? I know that the general strategy is to return deep and advance to the net, but my wife and I were questioning this when playing the other day... Thanks in advance :)

[@thatpickleballguy]

yep, the serve return can land in the kitchen :)

[@jeancai4098]

You said during the serve 1 foot can hover over the baseline but the other foot must be behind the baseline. If the momentum pushed your hovering foot to step on the ground while hitting the ball out or after the ball was released, is that allowed? I have seen people doing that. I know in the kitchen line that is not allowed

[@thatpickleballguy]

Yes as long as you make contact with the serve before your foot touches the ground!

[@kamdabossy4696]

I have a question. Do both players have to start outside of the playing area when the person is serving. Does the other person have to be outside too?

[@thatpickleballguy]

Official Rule 4.B.7. is below: Partner Positions. In doubles, with the exception of the server (see 4.A.4) there is no restriction on the position of any player, as long as all players are on their respective team’s side of the net. They can be positioned on or off the court. The correct server must serve from the correct service court, and the correct receiver must receive the serve.

[@barnescycle]

So the person receiving the serve have to be behind the serve line when starting like you was in the video or was that optional?

[@thatpickleballguy]

Optional, but recommended

[@wtpiep82]

This was helpful

[@thatpickleballguy]

Awesome!!

[@wtpiep82]

@@thatpickleballguy do you have a video on singles strategies, because I’m a decent doubles player yet struggle to score in singles.

[@crBudgetWatches]

If I am starting out and trying to learn the rules and miss some will I get the stinky eye from bystanders at the pickle ball court?

[@thatpickleballguy]

No! The pickleball community is awesome! Go out there and have fun!

[@WonbyGrace2]

Excellent

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thanks for watching!

[@Mrdamnyou]

Damn zack with comeback

[@jcsirls]

I love these videos. Dude, what happened to your Instagram page? I can’t find you on there.

[@thatpickleballguy]

quick break. But I'm back!

[@peterfconley]

Turns out I was playing correctly 🤪 But great clear video.

[@thatpickleballguy]

FantastiC!

[@mkmcdowell4648]

I know the serve has to bounce beyond the kitchen, but what about the return of serve? Can it bounce in the kitchen?

[@thatpickleballguy]

Yep, it sure can.

[@writingteacher2161]

when you return a serve, do you have to return it diagonally or cross court as well?

[@thatpickleballguy]

Can return it anywhere

[@writingteacher2161]

@@thatpickleballguy thanks! I saw another one of ur vids where I picked up on that. Speedy comment nonetheless! Thanks again!

[@vanessablanco2609]

What about if your opponent doesn’t follow the two bounce rule? Also, what happens if I hit the ball twice with my paddle ie. it rolls on my paddle but makes it to the other side?

[@thatpickleballguy]

The two bounce rule is a standard rule. Do they just not consider it dead if the ball hits twice and keep playing? And for ball hitting twice there is a specific double hit rule, and it states, “Balls can be hit twice, but this must occur during an unintentional, continuous, single-direction stroke, by one player.”

[@ellie.alfonso]

What if they don’t serve it in the correct side of the court? or can you serve it anywhere besides the kitchen? would they reserve or would it be a side out?

[@thatpickleballguy]

It would be a fault. You have to serve it diagonal across the court.

[@JerryKantrell]

The longhouse steadily marches on!

[@jodanlambo69]

Are these kitchen rules solely for singles? Or in doubles can you step into the kitchen on a bounce as well?

[@thatpickleballguy]

Same rules for doubles as well! - here's a more in depth look at doubles rules - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHWUgGaIbqdjidk

[@jimwind7589]

Play w a closed kitchen (out of bounce) makes a better game. More like base line tennis. Imo

[@leo-cg4hy]

If the ball hits the net and rolls over, that point is good after the two bounce rule is complete right?

[@leo-cg4hy]

Nevermore, I saw it in your live game💯🧠💪

[@thatpickleballguy]

Correct!

[@derose2026]

Once the initial 2 bounce rule is complete and my opponent volley’s the ball onto my side, can I bounce the ball on my side to the opposing side?

[@thatpickleballguy]

not quite sure what you mean?!

[@antoinefenech8342]

I know that may be a stupid question for you but, If the ball hits the net and still goes in your opponent's court is it still good?

[@thatpickleballguy]

Yep, sure is! Not a stupid question. Good Question!

[@ragde858]

does the second ball (service return) need to bounce beyond the kitchen?

[@thatpickleballguy]

It doesn't need to bounce in the kitchen but it can. Hitting the return deep gives you a chance to get up to the kitchen line with your partner

[@shantb364]

Question: In this video, you said whatever your score may be weather you’re ofd or even, it determines where you start your serve. However, I watched a few videos where they explained that whenever you receive the serve, meaning whenever there is a sideout, the new server always starts from the right.

[@thatpickleballguy]

That is correct. Every time there is a changeover from their team to yours. In other words, a "side out." The serve always starts on the right box. What I'm saying is, if you get confused, you can figure out whos standing on which box based on the score you have.

[@adunolafashogbon6574]

​@@thatpickleballguy Now I'm confused. Does this mean the even/ odd number rule does not apply after a side out? if I didn't make a point while I served with an odd score and so it went into side out; when the serve comes back to me what side do I stay? Please help clarify

[@StarmanDXE]

Yikes, he didn’t check which video this comment was on before replying! What you’re talking about is for DOUBLES play. When you’re playing SINGLES, the side you serve from is determined by the server’s score.

[@CookLikeaBrazilian]

What about if it hits the net but goes to the oponente floor? It’s a point?

[@thatpickleballguy]

Yes you keep playing it even if it hits the net!

[@StarmanDXE]

Your embedded end-of-video links to other videos seem to be broken. Hope you see this and can fix it! (Same with the link on the doubles rules video: no link to this video.)

[@thatpickleballguy]

Working on getting this fixed. Thank you!!

[@billsmith3182]

If the serve hits the net but goes in the box is it a let and do over?

[@thatpickleballguy]

Correct

[@billsmith3182]

@@thatpickleballguy thank you

[@AlphaTennisinPittsburgh]

Pickleball is America's fastest-growing sport and we like it #Pickleball

[@voodoo2u4u]

Isn't this just a oversized ping-pong table, and same concept as tennis

[@teek1860]

So if the game is up to 11 and you have to win by 2, what happens when you're both on 10, then one of you scores and reaches 11? Then the other scores as well and reaches 11? Does it end as a draw?

[@thatpickleballguy]

Continues on until someone wins by 2

[@teek1860]

@@thatpickleballguy okay thanks.

[@vardanvardanyan640]

So why not to play to sets and then go for a best 5 tie break ?

[@RafaelbySuzannah]

So during the volley, the ball bounces, you hit the ball back and momentum pulls you into the kitchen. Is that a foot fault?

[@thatpickleballguy]

It is. Not allowed to do that.

[@RafaelbySuzannah]

@@thatpickleballguy thank you

[@sergiosanchez8349]

This feels like tennis with extra steps

[@poppylisse]

On rare occasions, what happens if you and your opponent catches up to each other by one point? For example: 11-12, 12-12, 13-12, 13-13, 13-14 and etc. When do you stop and actually win regardless of being one point ahead? Is it at 15 points? I used to play Badminton and it’s up to 21, but in rare occasions, the max we could go to is 30, regardless of being 1 point ahead.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Good question. No, there is no cap for scoring. You can go as high as possible until someone wins by two!

[@huntertiveron4459]

One other rule that is important is that the sever is the only one who announces score

[@thatpickleballguy]

Oo good call

[@dcunited01]

What if it goes out of bounce?

[@thatpickleballguy]

If it goes out of bounds by you and you are serving then the other person serves. If the other person hits it out of bounds while you are serving then you get 1 point and you serve again!

[@ocbosco_]

What about a let serve?

[@thatpickleballguy]

You just reserve it!

[@nickb2912]

I think they should change the rule to you can score points regardless if you are serving or not.

[@thatpickleballguy]

That's part of what makes the game so great!

[@nickb2912]

@@thatpickleballguy How much do you think it would change the game if they made that rule change?