Where should I stand when serving or receiving in doubles?
Rule- USA
- USA Pickleball
- Recreational play
- League play
- All ages
- Doubles and singles
- 2026 rules
- Players
Positions are set by your team's score (Rule 5.B.3):
- Your team's starting server is on the right when the team's score is even (including 0), and on the left when it's odd.
- Their partner is on the opposite side.
In singles, serve from the right when your score is even and from the left when it's odd (Rule 5.A.1).
Before the serve, you may ask your opponents who should serve or receive and whether everyone is in the right place, and they must answer (Rule 5.C).
- If someone stops a rally to correctly point out a server, receiver or position error, the rally is replayed.
- If the claim is wrong, it's a fault against the player who stopped play.
- If no one notices until the rally is over, the result stands (Rule 5.C.2).
Added 21 Oct 2026