Who Serves First in a Pickleball Game?

“In any game, the start is just as important as the finish.” – Unknown

In pickleball, serving is more than just getting the ball into play—it’s the foundation of strategy, control, and rhythm for the rest of the point. Knowing who serves first and how to properly initiate the game sets the stage for everything that follows. Whether you’re new to the game or looking to refresh your knowledge, here’s everything you need to know about serving first in pickleball.

Determining Which Side Serves First

In recreational play, deciding which player or team serves first is often casual. The great majority of the time, the facility where the game is being played already has a predetermined side that will always serve first. If such a rule does not exist, many players will opt for a simple coin toss, a rally (where the winner of the rally chooses whether to serve first), or even a quick game of rock-paper-scissors. The goal is to start fairly without giving either team an advantage from the start.

In organized tournaments or league play, there are official guidelines for determining the first server, typically involving a pre-game coin flip or a random decision made by the tournament organizer. No matter the method, fairness is always at the core of deciding who gets the serve. The player or team who has the advantage of serving first in tournament play allows their opponent to select which side of the court to start the game on, switching sides when the first score of six is achieved.

Once the serving player or team is decided, the player positioned on the right-hand side of the court will be the first to serve. This initial serve is crucial as it sets the tone for the game.

Serving Basics in Pickleball

Regardless of who serves first, every serve must follow these basic rules:

• Serving Team: The serving player or team must be positioned behind the baseline. The server must also keep both feet behind the baseline until after the ball is struck and served. Be careful not to rush the net after the serve as you must let the retuning ball bounce first.

• Underhand Serve: The ball must be hit below the waist in an underhand motion and the ball must clear the net.
  
  
• Diagonal Direction: The serve must land diagonally across the court in the opponent’s service box. Grazing, skimming, and hitting the top of the net is allowed, as long as the ball lands in the diagonal service area.

• Ball Placement: The ball cannot fall into the kitchen or hit the kitchen line (non-volley line). Then the serve is deemed short, and the serving team loses the serve. The served ball is allowed to land on the centerline and the baseline.

• Opponent Positioning: The receiving player must remain behind the baseline to receive the serve. The second player on the receiving team, if playing doubles, should ideally be positioned near the non-volley zone (commonly known as “the kitchen”), ready to move into action while also keeping an eye on the serve to confirm its “good” (inbounds) for their partner.

• Serving Order: The player on the right-hand side of the court serves first. After a successful serve and point, the server switches sides with their partner, and the same player continues to serve from the left side. This continues until a fault occurs.

The Importance of the Serve

The serve in pickleball is unique because, unlike tennis, only the serving team can score points. This makes the serve a critical moment in the game. A strong, well-placed serve can put immediate pressure on your opponents, while a weak or inconsistent serve can lead to a quick loss of possession.

Being strategic with your serve—mixing up placement and speed—can throw off your opponent’s timing and give you the upper hand from the very first hit.

Game Point

Serving in pickleball isn’t just a technical formality—it’s the start of every rally and an opportunity to control the game. Whether you’re playing singles or doubles, knowing who serves first and understanding the rules of serving can make all the difference in a match. The next time you step onto the court, you’ll be ready to start strong and play with confidence.

See you on the courts!