Pickleball continues to evolve, offering players various ways to enjoy the game, refine their skills, and add variety to their play. One such variation that has gained popularity is "Skinny Singles." This format adjusts the traditional singles game, making it not only a great way to practice but also a fun challenge for those looking to enhance their pickleball skills. In this blog post, we'll dive into what Skinny Singles is and outline the basic rules that govern this engaging version of pickleball.
What is Skinny Singles?
Skinny Singles is a modified version of traditional singles pickleball. The key difference lies in the use of the court space. Instead of using the full width of the pickleball court, which is 20 feet, players use only half the court width, effectively narrowing the playing field to about 10 feet. This adjustment means that each player is responsible for one side of the court only, directly across from their opponent or diagnally cross court .
Benefits of Playing Skinny Singles
Skinny Singles offers several benefits, making it an excellent option for players looking to improve specific aspects of their game:
- Skill Improvement: By reducing the court size, players can focus more on accuracy and precision, enhancing their ability to place shots with intention.
- Physical Demand: With less court to cover, players can engage in more intense, rapid rallies without the same level of physical strain involved in covering a full singles court.
- Strategic Depth: Skinny Singles forces players to develop and rely on strategic shot-making, given the limited space to work with, enhancing mental acuity during play.
Rules of Skinny Singles
The rules for Skinny Singles are similar to those of traditional singles pickleball with a few modifications to accommodate the reduced court size:
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Court Boundaries:
- Only one half of the court is used in Skinny Singles. The center line becomes the out-of-bounds line for each player, meaning shots must land in the narrow strip directly opposite or cross court of each player.
- The non-volley zone, or 'kitchen,' remains the same, extending 7 feet from the net across the width of the skinny singles court.
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Serving:
- Players serve diagonally across the court or straight across the court, aiming for the service box that is half the usual width.
- The serve must clear the non-volley zone and land within the boundaries of the opposite skinny singles sideline and the centerline.
- The server continues to serve from alternating sides of the court with each point won.
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Scoring:
- The scoring for Skinny Singles follows the traditional method where points can only be scored by the serving player. The game is typically played to 11 points, and a player must win by 2 points.
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Line Calls:
- Players are responsible for making line calls on their side of the court. The centerline is treated as an out-of-bounds line, and any ball that lands outside of it (from each player’s perspective) is considered out.
Conclusion
Skinny Singles pickleball is an excellent way for players to sharpen their skills, focus on shot accuracy, and enjoy a different version of the game with fewer physical demands. Whether you’re looking to improve your game or just want to try something new, Skinny Singles provides a fun and competitive environment to do so. So grab your paddle, find a partner, and see how this innovative game variation can enhance your pickleball experience.
Often times when players play singles (not necessarily skinny singles), a more powerful pickleball paddle is preferred.
Here is a great power paddle to use! https://luxepickleball.com/collections/luxury/products/draft