Player Positioning in Doubles Pickleball: During a recent educational video, Maddie Torren, a certified professional pickleball official and the first teen to earn this certification in 2022, explained an important rule about player positioning in doubles pickleball.
According to Maddie Torren, only the server and the receiver have to follow specific placement rules during a serve. The server must stand in the correct service area, and the receiver must be in the correct receiving area. All other players are free to stand anywhere on their side of the net.
Player Positioning During Serve or Return
Maddie Torren shared that in doubles play, the partner of the server or receiver can choose any location on their side of the court. This includes being on or off the court entirely.
No rules are stopping the non-serving or non-receiving player from stacking or standing in different formations. This can be used strategically depending on what the team prefers.
“With the exception of the server, there is no restriction on the position of any player as long as all players are on their respective team side of the net.” – (Torren)
Important Rule to Remember
Though players may stand anywhere on their side of the net, there is one key rule everyone must keep in mind. If the served ball touches the receiver or their partner before bouncing, the serving team automatically scores a point. This makes it important for the non-receiving partner to be careful about where they stand when the serve is coming.
As Maddie Torren explained, “Be mindful that if the serve hits the receiver or the receiver’s partner it is a point for the serving team.”
Why It Matters
Understanding this rule can help players avoid giving away easy points. It also allows for more flexible team strategies during doubles matches. Being able to choose where to stand gives teams more options, but players must remain alert during the serve to avoid faults. Maddie Torren’s guidance helps beginners and experienced players learn lesser-known rules that can impact gameplay.
News in Brief: Player Positioning in Doubles Pickleball
Maddie Torren, the first teen certified as a pickleball referee, explained that in doubles, only the server and receiver must follow strict positioning rules. Other players can stand anywhere on their side. But if the serve hits the receiver or their partner, it results in a point for the serving team.
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