Can Pickleball Be Played in Triples? (and How To Go About It)

Pickleball is a versatile game, and it’s undergone many new leases on life since its inception in the 1960s. The game can also be adapted and played on numerous hard outdoor surfaces and indoor courts.

Some enthusiasts even play friendly matches on grass, just for the love of this game and the camaraderie of team sports. But just how adaptable is this sport for larger groups? Can pickleball be played in triples?

Most newcomers to the game find it easier to learn the ropes when it’s played one-on-one first. However, if you’d like to give it a go, follow the tips below, and you can’t go wrong.

Can Pickleball Be Played in Triples?

The ordinary singles or even doubles game is by far the most popular version of pickleball, but there’s a three-player variation, too. And even a three-a-side, six player version.

Can pickleball be played in triples in tournaments? Officially, no. The official rules only allow for singles or doubles. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t bend the rules a little in friendly neighborhood matches or a game with your friends on the weekend.

Friendly pickleball games also allow you and your friends to get some exercise without realizing it. The average person burns about 250 calories during a game, and some players may burn even more.

So let’s look at how you can play pickleball in triples while keeping to the game’s main rules.

How To Play Pickleball in Triples

First, find some other players and decide who will be on which team.

Triples – Three Players in Total, or Three a Side?

Should you have three players on a side or a solo player against two? We’ll leave this up to you. However, three on a side could get complicated, and such a game necessitates a much bigger court.

Get all your gear ready, remembering you now have three (or six) players to accommodate. Then, select the court of play.

Court Size

A pickleball court’s dimensions are 20 x 44 feet. That’s fine for a singles game, but it has to be increased proportionally for extra players.

If you choose to play with three players, one player on one side and two on another, a court designed for doubles will suffice.

But a much larger court will be needed for three-a-side pickleball games. With three players a side, you’ll need a court closer to 60 x 88 feet. That’s triple the size of a singles pickleball court. (Tennis courts used for singles are 27 ft wide, whereas doubles courts are 36 ft wide).

If the court you’ve chosen to play on isn’t large enough, you’ll have to settle for a singles or doubles game.

Positioning of Players

If you have three players, one will be on one side of the court and two on the other. Each player gets a turn to serve. It makes sense for the most agile player to be on the ‘single’ serving side, especially if that one player is more experienced.

One professional player up against an amateur would have an unfair advantage. But two amateurs on one side and the professional on the other will level the playing field.

This unevenness in players per side can be problematic, though. It’s easier if the two-person side returns the ball to the half of the court from which the third player/one-person side has served. Otherwise, they’ll be running back and forth to make up for the lack of a partner on their side of the court.

Unless, of course, that single player is very swift on their feet and doesn’t mind doing so!

In a three-a-side game, the three players will be positioned opposite each other like in a doubles game.

Serve Box

Just like in singles and doubles pickleball, the right side of the court always serves first. Make sure that you serve from the right-side service box at the start of the game, irrespective of which version of triples you play.

Whether one team consists of one player and one has two players, or each has three, each team gets to be a serving side during each rally.

Always start the game with your stronger player on the serving team, to get things off to a good start. The serving player remains in their zone during this time. But their teammates may move more freely.

Helpful Tips for Playing Pickleball in Triples

If you’ve decided on a three-player or three-per-side variation of pickleball, how do you go about it?

Whatever surface you choose, the basic rules remain the same.

To make playing pickleball in triples easier, keep the following three things in mind when setting up a game:

Match your playing intensity to that of your team members.
Choose members for your team that communicate well with each other.
Ensure everyone is familiar with the sport and has at least played doubles before.

These aren’t hard-and-fast rules, merely helpful tips from us, your fellow pickleball enthusiasts. Keep these hints in mind because team members with matched temperaments and skill levels tend to play well together: and sadly, the reverse is true, too.

Also, you don’t want to interrupt a highly-charged triples game to have to explain (yet again) the rules of play, do you? So stick to singles for beginners, doubles for intermediate level, and triples for more advanced players, if you can.

Why Playing Pickleball in Triples is More Challenging

So we know you can play pickleball in triples, but should you do it? It’s easy-going when there’s just one player a side in a regular game of singles. And in doubles play, teams of two make it more demanding already.

But if you want a more challenging game outside of the highly competitive environment of an official match, why not try three-a-side or even three-player pickleball?

That said, it’s probably more suitable for experienced and advanced players, though. Here’s why:

Why Triples Can Be More Demanding

Playing pickleball in triples allows for more openings and chances to hit the ball and move it around. But in a two-against-one situation, that lone player had better be quick on their feet! This makes it a little more difficult for pickleball novices to get the hang of the game.

With three players on each side, you can easily distribute the skill sets. It also makes the pickleball game more fun, fast-paced, and suitable for larger get-togethers with family and friends.

How to Score Points When Playing Pickleball in Triples

How do you score points when playing in triples?

Even when triple pickleball has an odd number of players, the same rules governing scoring points generally apply.

The team on the right side of the court serves first.
The pickleball ball must clear the non-volley zone line to be a legal serve.
The serving team must let the ball bounce when they return the serve, as must the returning team by observing the double bounce rule.
The serving player has to stay in their zone at all times during a rally, while their teammates may move about more freely.
When a server wins a rally, that team scores.

The same rules apply for three-a-side.

But regardless of the version you play, remember that each player only gets one serve attempt unless the ball hits the net and lands on the other side in the proper service court.

Can You Amend the Rules for Triples Games?

Of course, in a casual game between friends on your home turf, it may be tempting to let some of these rules slide. That’s up to you, and we won’t penalize you for adapting the rules of play to your needs for a friendly match.

But sports have rules, both to make them more challenging and to keep them fair. Bear this in mind as you’ll have to adhere to these rules when you go up against more rule-abiding opponents. Respect a sport’s rules, and you’ll get more enjoyment out of it.

Final Thoughts on Playing Pickleball in Triples

Pickleball is a fun and challenging sport. Can you play pickleball in triples? Yes, but it’s best suited to experienced players of the sport.

For more insightful pickleball topics like these, read the other articles on our blog and consider joining our newsletter. We’ll keep you informed of all things pickleball, and you’ll benefit from the expertise of fellow pickleball enthusiasts just like you.