Pickleball has become popular in the past couple of years. It became popular amongst all children, adults and seniors. Two different public pickleball courts have been built in the past two years within 10 minutes of my house. Most people enjoy pickleball and my opinion might ruffle some feathers, but I am a pickleball hater. There are problems with the rules. The first problem is how to serve in doubles.
According to The Official USA Pickleball Rule Book, “Doubles. Both players on a team will serve before a side out is declared, except at the start of each game, when only the starting server will serve. The starting server of each game is therefore designated as ‘Second Server’ for scoring purposes, since a side out will occur once a rally is lost, or a fault is committed by the serving team and service is awarded to the opposing team.”
What the rule says in simpler terms is both people on a team serve before it goes to the other team to serve. Is that necessary? How is it fair if one team gets the point and they still do not get to serve? In any sport, starting with the ball or serving first gives a team or player an advantage, so it should be earned by winning a point. My second problem is with the score rules.
“A singles player or doubles team scores points only when serving. Points may also be awarded when technical fouls are called against the opposing side and their score is 0,” according to The Official USA Pickleball Rule Book.
To break it down you can only be awarded points on the serve. Why is there a rally if it can only be scored on a serve. There is also an order on how to serve, so it is not a challenge to who can get the serve. I must say my family did get a pickleball game called Paddle Smash and it is fast paced and addictive, and I think it has shifted my perspective on pickleball a little bit.
