If you’re new to pickleball and still haven’t tried playing doubles, you’re missing out! Doubles pickleball is the most popular way of playing the sport, and once you try it, you’ll see why.

Doubles pickleball is more strategic and accuracy-oriented than singles pickleball, and the social aspect lends itself well to pickleball’s friendly, inviting culture.

But how is pickleball doubles different from pickleball singles?
Is it difficult to play pickleball doubles?

What is the ‘Double Bounce Rule’ in pickleball?

Read on, and we’ll answer these questions and more. This guide serves as the ideal resource for doubles pickleball for beginners. Along the way, we’ll cover the basic rules, stages of play, and some tips and tricks to get you started.

If you already know how to play singles pickleball, you’re in luck because the pickleball doubles rules are similar. If you’re new to the sport entirely, don’t worry! It’s easy to learn 

Pickleball serve rules (and determining the serving team)

Every game of pickleball doubles starts with the serve. The serve is designed to get the ball in play and begin each point.

To determine which team serves first, players can use a coin toss or play Paper, Rock, Scissors. Some courts insist that the northwest-facing side of the court always serves first (because 

Here are some serving rules to keep in mind. These rules apply to the volley serve, which is the most common:

A pickleball serve must be hit in a forehand or backhand motion

. The serving player’s arm should move in an upward arc, with the face of the paddle angled upwards.

The point where the paddle makes contact with the ball must be below your waistline

At the time of contact, the head of the paddle must be below the highest part of your wrist.

Your serve must land in the service area diagonally opposite yours

. Just like in tennis, in pickleball you serve to the opponent’s service box diagonally across from you, not directly across.

. At least one of your feet must be touching the ground behind the baseline. Your feet must also be inside the imaginary extension of the sideline and centerline, i.e. behind your rectangle on the court.

Only one serve attempt is allowed per server

. If you or your team scores a point, you continue serving. However, if you commit a fault or the opponent wins a rally, you lose your serve.

This variation on the traditional volley serve is becoming more and more popular in pickleball. For a drop serve, the serving player drops the ball on the ground before hitting it on the bounce. These additional rules apply when performing a 

The server can either drop the ball from one hand or roll it from the paddle face.

The ball can bounce anywhere, so long as the serving player’s feet are behind the baseline.

The ball must not be thrown down with force or tossed into the air before hitting the ground.

Learn more about pickleball serving rules & beginner tips

In a game of pickleball, doubles scoring is made up of three numbers (e.g. 0-2-1 or 6-3-2):

Only the serving team can score points—the receiving team cannot score. If the serving team loses the rally, it results in the server’s loss of serve or side out.

At the start of the game, the player on the right side of the court (also called the 'even' side) serves to the service court diagonally opposite from them. Prior to each serve, they must announce the score, with the starting score being 0-0-2.

If the serving team scores, that server moves to the left side (odd side) and once again serves to the service court diagonally opposite from them.

Players on the serving team continue to switch places until they fault and lose the serve. Players on the receiving team do not change places.

Normally, when the first server on a team loses a rally, their partner gets to serve next. The exception to this is the very first serve of the game, in which only server #2 gets to serve. That’s why the initial score is '0-0-2'. The idea behind this rule is to minimize the advantage of the team who chooses to serve first and thus is able to score first.

In pickleball, a 'volley' refers to hitting the ball directly out of the air before it bounces.

Volleys are great for scoring, whether you’re snapping a shot down at your opponent’s feet, or gently arcing the ball over the net when your opponents are too far away to respond (called a 'drop shot').

Usually, you’ll find yourself volleying when you’re near the Non-Volley Zone (the 'Kitchen'.)

The pickleball doubles rules state that when hitting the ball out of the air, both of your feet must be behind the Non-Volley Zone line. After hitting a volley, your momentum cannot take you into the Non-Volley Zone.

Technically, you can be in the Non-Volley Zone (the 'Kitchen') at any time. But you cannot volley the ball if any part of your body is in the zone. This includes touching any part of the Kitchen line.

However, if the ball bounces in your Non-Volley Zone, you may step in to hit it. For example, if the ball bounces and you step in to hit it, you might hit a ‘dink’. This is a very strategic shot that passes over the net and lands in your opponent’s Non-Volley Zone.

Learn more about dinking in pickleball

What is pickleball’s double bounce rule?

You may have heard of pickleball’s Double Bounce Rule, which is a basic but fundamental part of the game. But what is the Double Bounce Rule?

Simply put, the Double Bounce Rule states that the ball must bounce on both sides of the court before either team can volley the ball. Therefore, when the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce before hitting it back. Likewise, the serving team must let the ball bounce before returning the opposing team’s first shot. Hence, being called the 'Double Bounce Rule'.

Once the Double Bounce Rule has been fulfilled, teams no longer have to wait for the ball to bounce before hitting it. They can hit the ball off of a bounce, or simply volley it from the air.

If you want to learn how to play doubles pickleball, you’ll need to know the line call rules. A pickleball shot is considered ‘in’ if it lands anywhere on the court, including the lines, except the serve, which must completely clear the Kitchen line. In fact, USA Pickleball explicitly states that players shouldn’t call a shot as 'out' unless there’s clearly visible space between the ball and a boundary line.

In games with no referee or line judges, the players on the court make all line calls for their side of the court. The official pickleball doubles rules point out that either teammate can make line calls.

As a general rule, pickleball players are encouraged to trust the calls of their opponents. Sportsmanship and friendliness are part of pickleball’s culture, so assume good faith!

A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation.

A fault by the receiving team results in a point for the serving team.

A fault by the serving team results in the server’s loss of serve or side out.

There are three common faults in doubles pickleball:

The serve does not clear the Non-Volley Zone or Kitchen, which includes the line.

A shot is hit out of bounds (i.e. landing behind the baseline or outside of the sidelines).

The ball hits a player (the player who is hit receives the fault).

Serving faults including foot faults and violating the serving rules above.

In doubles pickleball, either player on each team may call faults. Either team on either side can call foot faults and service faults.

, for non-officiated games, if there is any disagreement about the Non-Volley Zone and service foot faults on the opponent’s end of the court, players should replay the point.

, if a player believes their opponent has committed any type of fault other than a service or Non-Volley Zone foot fault, they can mention it to the opposing team, but they cannot enforce it.

USA Pickleball clarifies that "the final decision on fault resolution belongs to the player that allegedly committed the fault".

If you’re just learning how to play doubles pickleball, you’re in luck. It doesn’t require a lot of expensive equipment.

You don’t need any extra equipment to play doubles pickleball vs singles. Each player will need a pickleball paddle. As a group, you’ll need a few pickleballs and a portable net if your court doesn’t have a dedicated net.

If you’re looking to buy some gear, we’ve scouted out some of the best options currently on the market:

Best pickleball paddles in 2023: 14 best buys for every skill level

Complete pickleball sets: 9 best picks for 2022

Best pickleball nets of 2023: 12 picks to play anywhere

Best pickleball balls in 2023: top 13 compared

Best portable pickleball nets in 2023: top 11 compared

In pickleball, the same-sized court is used for both singles and doubles play. The 

 regulation pickleball court size is 20 x 44 feet (6.10m x 13.41m). When including out-of-bounds areas, the total minimum play area is 30 x 60 feet (6.10m x 18.29m).

A pickleball court is the same size as a doubles badminton court. You can fit four pickleball courts into the size of one tennis court, including the out-of-bounds areas.

FAQs

Wondering how to play pickleball doubles? This comprehensive guide tells you everything you need to know about the doubles version of pickleball.

Pickleball Doubles Rules – How To Play the Game

Pickleball doubles rules - how to play the game

The way you hold your pickleball paddle is essential to your performance on the court. Getting your grip right allows you to hit the ball firmly, and helps generate power and direction accurately. It also allows you to hit the full range of shots that you need to play better pickleball and win more games.

Are you looking to improve your pickleball game? Are you wondering if your grip is correct, or whether you should try a new way of holding your paddle?

You've come to the right place. In this article, we'll break down everything you need to know about pickleball grips. We’ll explain the three most common ways to hold a paddle, as well as the pros and cons of each.

We’ll also explain how tightly you should hold your paddle, and how to get your grip just right for your style of play. Because it won't matter if you have one of the 

 on the market if you don't know how best to use it.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!

There are three standard paddle grips in pickleball:

The Continental grip is a very common pickleball grip style, and the one most frequently taught to new players. This grip is also known as the 'hammer grip' since you hold the paddle like you would hold a hammer when hitting a nail.

To find this grip, place the knuckle of your index finger just to the right side of the flat bevel on the top of the handle. This forms a V between your thumb and index finger, directly on top of the handle. For left-handed players, place your knuckle on the first bevel to the left instead.

The Eastern grip places a close second to the Continental grip in terms of popularity among beginners. It is known as the 'handshake' grip because you hold the paddle handle as if you were shaking someone's hand.

To find this grip, hold your hand straight out in a handshake position, then wrap your fingers around the paddle handle as if giving a handshake. The knuckle of your index finger should be placed on the 2nd bevel to the right of the top flat bevel of the handle.

The V formed between your thumb and index finger will be on top of the first bevel to the right of the top. For any left-handed players, you’ll place your index knuckle on the 2nd bevel to the left of the flat top bevel.

Once you've found the Eastern grip, moving to the Western grip is easy. Simply rotate your hand one more bevel to the right, or clockwise. Your index knuckle will rest on the third bevel to the right of the flat top bevel. The V between your index finger and thumb will be on the 2nd bevel to the right of the top flat bevel. Left-handed players will place their index knuckle on the 3rd bevel to the left of the top.

You should now be holding the paddle like you might hold a pan when flipping pancakes, which is why this style is also known as the 'frying pan grip'. The paddle face will be closed, meaning you should be able to see the back of the paddle when you hold it straight out in front of you.

Check out this video from 5.0 Pro Glen Peterson for a further explanation of the three grips in pickleball:

Now that we've gotten familiar with each of the three grip styles, let's take a look at the pros and cons of each.

A Continental grip is very close to neutral, but with the V of the hand being generally on top of the handle, this grip slightly favors the backhand. It allows you to get maximum power on your backhand shots since your hand is in front of the paddle as it strikes the ball.

Along with power control, this style also helps produce more accurate dinks and returns, without having to change your grip between shots. This is a big advantage for beginners.

A slight downside to the Continental grip is that your forehand shots might have a little less power than with the other two grip choices. Even so, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and a huge number of players at all levels use this style.

As the second most common grip type—especially with beginners—the Eastern grip is the most ‘neutral’ of the three. This means that you can hit pickleball serves, forehands, and backhands effectively without having to change grips between shots.

Some pickleball beginners lean towards this grip since it has a very natural hand position and provides flexibility and comfort, both of which are important to beginners.

For more advanced players, the Eastern grip is limited in its ability to produce effective topspin. Some also say that this grip doesn’t allow for the amount of power they’re looking for.

The Western pickleball grip positions the hand behind the paddle on forehand shots, which generates maximum power. This grip is also the best for producing top spin because the face of the paddle is closed.

Those two qualities make it great for hitting super-powerful shots while still keeping the ball in the court. Therefore, it’s obviously not a grip for beginners, unless they are coming from another racket sport that uses a similar grip.

There’s another drawback to the Western grip with the backhand. With your hand positioned off-center and more to the side of the handle, the face of the paddle angles upwards or open. This will cause the ball to pop up unless the player changes their wrist position. In fact, some players using a Western grip turn the paddle clockwise (right-handed) and hit the ball with the forehand side of the paddle.

For some players, this awkward ‘backwards forehand’ shot is easier than attempting a normal backhand with the Western grip and risking a pop up.

Another disadvantage to this style is that hitting shots from down low or generating slice/backspin on the forehand side is very difficult. When you spot an opponent using a Western grip, try attacking them low on either the forehand or backhand side as much as possible.

For obvious reasons, only intermediate to advanced players should be using the Western grip, and it is by far the least common of the three.

As we’ve just seen, grip styles make a fundamental difference to your pickleball game. Choosing the right grip will allow you to take full advantage of your strengths.

Some players use variations on the above styles. For example, players who are used to ping-pong or table tennis often put a finger or two on the paddle surface. This may give more control, but it’s also possible for the ball to hit those fingers during play.

What about the size and feel of your pickleball paddle grip? Many players apply over-wraps or replacement grips to change the thickness of their grip or to provide better traction or hold on their paddles. Selkirk makes some of the best pickleball paddle grips and 

How to switch between different grip techniques

While beginners usually stick with one grip throughout the game, the best pickleball players use a variety of grip styles, even changing grips from one shot to the next. The speed and up-close nature of pickleball makes grip mid-rally a little more challenging than in tennis, but as you improve, you’ll instinctively learn to adjust your grip.

Here are some pickleball tips on mastering the different types of grips and using each to your advantage on the court.

Don’t try to do much at once and overwhelm yourself. If you’re a beginner, master the Continental or Eastern first, then the other. Lastly, give the Western a try since it is the hardest to learn.

Try each grip in different scenarios and conditions

 is all about practice. Try out all three grip styles during casual play. Or even better, get a 

The next time you’re practicing on the pickleball courts, try changing styles with each rally. Note which type of shots each grip works best with, and later try adjusting your grip based on each shot that comes to you.

Pay attention to different ball movements and apply grips accordingly

Watch your opponent’s paddle and try to anticipate what type of shot is coming your way. Then adjust your grip accordingly.

Practicing alone or with friends is great, but it eventually has its limitations as you learn each other’s type of game. A professional pickleball coach can turbocharge your pickleball progression, and save you time and injury in the long run.

Keep experimenting to find what works for you

Don’t get stuck with one particular grip style, especially if you are struggling to achieve the shots you’re attempting. Keep experimenting and trying new things, even if they don’t always work out.

As we’ll explore in the next section, a good grip is not about holding your paddle tightly. However, improving the strength of your paddle hand is an excellent way to increase the accuracy and power of your shots, and avoid fatigue, especially when you improve enough to start changing grips mid-rally.

In your time off the court, try doing exercises specifically for your hands and forearms. There are 

, from squeezing a tension ball, to using rubber bands to give your fingers a workout.

The vast majority of pickleheads, especially beginners, hold their pickleball paddle far too tight. They also tend to grasp the handle in the palm of the hand, instead of the fingers. This lowers the ability to control the paddle. Squeezing the grip like your life depends on it means that you lose the sensitivity of your shots.

The ideal grip should be relaxed and loose, with most of the pressure in the fingers rather than in the palm of the hand. Professional coaches recommend using a grip pressure equivalent to 3–4 out of 10. This way, you’ll feel the ball on the paddle much more, and be able to better control the weight and direction of your shot.

That’s it, folks! Our breakdown of the three most popular pickleball grips and how to use them to improve your game. Our final piece of advice is to be versatile—learn to use all three styles and use them to your advantage.

Have you found one grip better than another? Or do you have some top grip tips to share with your fellow pickleheads? Reach out to us on our socials. We’d love to hear from you.

Want to know the different pickleball paddle grips? Read on to learn about the main grip types and how they can improve your game.

3 Pickleball Grips – How To Hold Your Paddle

3 pickleball grips - how to hold your paddle

It comes out of nowhere, leaving you stunned, baffled, and reeling from the shock. Surely that shot is not legal, right? There’s no way they can get away with that, you assure yourself, shaken. But they do…and they can!

Don’t worry! Everyone's first time on the receiving end of a well-executed 

 has the same reaction. Soon, those feelings of shock give way to acceptance. Next, come thoughts of revenge.

In this article, we’ll tell you exactly how to hit a great Erne, and when to use one.

We’ll also explain why it can be a lethal part of your pickleball skill armory. We’ll also give you some tips to defend against it, so it doesn’t surprise you in the future.

An Erne is an advanced skilled shot used mostly in highly competitive play. This surprise shot in pickleball was coined by videographer, Jeff Shank, after noticing a pro pickleball player, Erne Perry, consistently using this tactic.

The shot uses a simple loophole in the rules to a devastating effect. We all know that it’s 

against the rules to volley a shot out of the air from inside the kitchen

. The rule prevents players from hovering at the net, and then hammering the ball when it comes at them.

But there’s nothing in the rules that says that if you were outside the sideline, right up near the net, that you couldn’t hit the ball on a volley. That’s a pickleball Erne!

It’s a shot by a player who is not in the kitchen, but is next to it, outside the left or right sideline. It allows the player to be near the net, and able to hit a powerful volley. It is nearly impossible to defend against, when executed correctly.

Defending players have little time to react to this shot, which is usually hit downwards towards their feet. And, as long as the hitter doesn’t 

The Erne in the sport of pickleball is named after Erne Perry, a pro player who made the shot famous in a 2010 USAPA tournament. He used the shot to dominate several rallies, and the shot quickly secured its place in pickleball tactics.

Hitting an Erne is not straightforward. It involves a finely executed setup and can only really be taken at certain times in a game.

, as it’s easy to make a mistake and end up losing the rally.

 into hitting just the right shot. This might be getting your opponent to dink back to you and toward the sideline.

 of the kitchen and attack the ball near the net. This will usually leave them surprised and defenseless.

Setting up an Erne takes patience and planning. Choosing the correct moment for your attack is essential.

 takes their shot, so that they don’t see what you’re planning. Be ready to get back into the correct position on the court if they don't hit the shot you anticipated.

These days, experienced players are more watchful of potential Erne opportunities. Lulling your opponent into a false sense of security is all part of the game.

Once you spot your chance, you need to move fast and be sure to land outside of the kitchen and sideline. Land 

Run through the kitchen and stand in the out-of-bounds area.

Run around the kitchen corner and stand in the out of bounds area.

If you choose option 1, you must make sure your 

If you choose method 2 or 3, make sure both feet have touched the ground outside the kitchen before hitting the Erne. Otherwise, it’s a fault (more on this later).

can cross the plane of the net until after the ball is hit. Do this and it’s a fault.

Check out this video from Primetime Pickleball for more on how to hit an Erne:

The kitchen, or non-volley zone rules (Section 9 of the 

) state that you cannot touch the area in the kitchen, including the kitchen line, while hitting a volley.

It is legal for your pickleball paddle to cross the plane of the line in the air. The rule states specifically, “All volleys must be initiated from outside of the non-volley zone or the NVZ line.”

So, what exactly does that mean? Simply put, if your 

 in the process of hitting a volley, or as a result of your momentum from the shot, it’s a 

To hit a legal pickleball Erne shot, make sure your 

sideline, and both are established on the ground outside the sideline, before you strike the ball.

 on the ground before hitting the volley, the position of your 

Does player positioning matter in doing an erne?

Pickleball player positioning is essential. Anticipation is also key to hit an effective Erne.

Since you will be jumping or moving to the outside of the court, you want to be positioned behind the kitchen line, as close to the sideline as possible. You don’t want a huge gap between you and your partner.

A common situation is when you’re dinking straight across to the opponent in front of you. Keep an eye open for a higher dink. And be ready to pounce into action to put the ball away with an Erne! At the same time, you can’t make it too obvious what you’re planning!

Your opponent's position doesn’t matter too much. Ideally, they are close to the kitchen, unaware that their minds are about to be blown by your impeccable Erne.

Just be sure they aren’t trying to set you up for their own Erne!

Bert and Ernie are best buds in the Sesame Street, but what is a “Bert and Erne” on a pickleball court?

Well, now that we know what a pickleball Erne is, it’s easier to describe a Bert. A 

Basically, it means taking an Erne shot from your teammate’s side of the court rather than your own.

 by your partner in front of you. Only their momentum causes them to go 

Make sure your partner knows you could suddenly move in front of them. You also need the Bert shot to end the rally, or quickly reposition yourselves for a return.

Let’s say you lure your opponents into hitting a high ball close to your partner’s sideline. At that moment, you whizz across the court, either jumping over or running around the kitchen and hit a surprise volley.

As you can imagine, a Bert shot takes even more planning, 

to achieve than an Erne. If you anticipate a high shot and begin to move, but the shot is a perfect dink, you will find yourselves on the defense, and likely out of position.

, especially in mixed doubles where the male player dominates the court and the female partner knows to yield to his forehand shots, even those that are directly in front of them.

Ernes are a highly valuable shot to have in your arsenal, mainly due to the element of surprise. As long as they haven’t spotted your intent, your opponent will be caught totally off guard and find it nearly impossible to return a slam from so close to the net.

Even if your opponent spots your intent at the last minute, the shorter distance between them and your paddle will give them less time to react, and often cause them to err.

 that must be executed legally to be successful!

against an Erne. This can be as, or more difficult than performing the Erne.

Learn to recognize when you hit a shot that gives your opponent the opportunity to hit an Erne. And immediately set yourself on the defense, just in case.

. If you spot a potential set up, hit your return straight to where the player is currently standing, or slightly to their midcourt side. That will keep the ball 

You might also try to hit a low, short shot into the kitchen. This will make it hard for your opponent to reach from the sideline. They’ll also have a tough time clearing the sideline if they hit the ball before it bounces.

 as the player starts his move to the sideline. This will force their partner to cover the entire court and allow your team to stay on the offense.

A third method of defense against an Erne is the 

As you see your opponent start to position themself for an Erne, hit your next shot hard and directly at them. This could force them into making an error or cause them to misstep into the kitchen.

But be ready in case their hands are fast. The return will come back quickly, and you’ll need to be ready!

The Erne is a killer shot in pickleball, and one that takes time to master. Advanced strategies take a lot of patience and training to perfect, but once you crack the Erne, you will become much more dangerous on the court.

Once your opponents know you have the potential to hit an Erne you will have a psychological advantage, as they never know when one will come, and their strategy might change to keep you from being able to hit one.

Have you been burned by a crafty Erne? Or do you have any great tips on exercises to improve your mastery of the shot? Reach out to us on our socials, we’d love to hear from you.

In the meantime, get out there and get practicing your Ernes in earnest!

What is an Erne in pickleball? Here's all you need to know about this advanced shot - what it is, how to hit it, how to defend it, and more!

Betsy Kenniston

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