Can You Play Singles in Pickleball? Absolutely — Here’s How. 💥
- Nazim Louadah
- Apr 30
- 2 min read
Everyone talks about doubles.Every Open Play seems full of partner rotations.But you might be wondering…
“Can I play pickleball one-on-one?”
Yes. 100%.
And honestly? Singles is a different beast — faster, sweatier, and ridiculously fun if you like a good workout.
Here’s how singles in pickleball works, why it’s worth trying, and how you can reserve a court for it right now at Bloomington Pickleball Warehouse (BPW).
🎯 Yes, Singles Pickleball Is Real — And It’s Intense
In singles, you’re covering the entire court by yourself. That means:
✅ More movement
✅ More cardio
✅ More court to defend
✅ More chance to show off that inside-out drive 😏
You’re serving, returning, dropping, resetting, and attacking — all by yourself.If you’re looking for a challenge or a serious workout, this is it.
🔢 How Scoring Works in Singles Pickleball
Here’s the good news: singles scoring is simpler than doubles.
There are only two numbers in the score:
Your score
Your opponent’s score
🎾 You still only score when you're serving
🎾 Serve from the right side if your score is even
🎾 Serve from the left side if your score is odd🎾 First to 11, win by 2
That’s it. No server numbers. No rotation confusion. Just you, the ball, and the scoreboard.
🧠 Singles Strategy: Play Smart, Not Just Fast
Singles isn’t just about running around. If you want to win, you’ve got to:
Use deep, accurate serves
Hit consistent third shot drops or deep drives
Force your opponent wide
Be patient — don’t force risky shots
It’s chess with sneakers on. And it's a great way to sharpen every part of your game — especially your positioning and footwork.
📍 Where Can I Play Singles in Bloomington?
Most Open Play sessions are doubles-based — which makes sense for volume and social energy.
But if you're itching for singles, here's the move:
🎾 Book a private court at BPW
✅ Plenty of space
✅ No need to wait or rotate
✅ Bring a friend and go 1v1 for as long as you want
And if you're new, you can even request an intro clinic or coaching focused just on singles play.
💬 Pro Tip: Use Singles to Level Up Your Doubles Game
Even if you’re a doubles regular, mixing in singles will make you better. Why?
You learn to cover more court
You improve decision-making under pressure
You get way more touches per point
You build the cardio endurance to dominate late in doubles matches
At BPW, we’ve seen players jump a whole skill level faster just by mixing in 1-on-1 battles between Open Play sessions.
🏁 TL;DR — Singles Pickleball Is Underrated (And Available)
Yes, you can absolutely play singles
It’s faster, tougher, and more cardio-heavy
Scoring is simpler
Strategy is deeper
And it’s one of the best ways to improve your overall game
Don’t sleep on it.
Bring your best friend… or your biggest rival. Either way, it’s game on. 💪
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