Serve or Side? When Should You Pick Side Instead of Serving First?

If you haven't played a tournament yet, you might not know what the title is even referring to. For those players, I will provide this brief explainer. If you have played tournaments and you know what "pick a number" means at the beginning of a match, skip to the next section, "Choose Wisely".

For rec games, there are usually "house rules" to determine which team serves first, and it's not usually a big deal. However, in tournaments, the stakes are a little higher. To decide who gets to start the game and which teams will start on which side, tournaments use the equivalent of a coin toss. Someone from one of the teams marks a 1 or a 2 on the back of the score sheet (sometimes the tournament admin desk will put a number on the scoresheet before they send it to the court). A player from the other team guesses if it's a 1 or 2 on the sheet. If they guess right, they win the toss and get to choose to serve first or choose a side. If the team that wins the toss chooses to serve, the other team can choose which side they want to start on. If the team that wins the toss chooses the side, the other team can choose to serve or receive.

One more bit of information about tournament play for those who haven't had the experience yet. The two most common match formats are 2/3 games to 11 and 1 game to 15. If you are playing best of three games to 11 (usually win by 2 points), teams play out their first game on one side of the net. After the first game, they play on the opposite side. This is officially known as changing ends. If the teams each win one game after the second game, they play a third game, starting on the same sides they played for the first game. However, they change ends after one of the teams scores 6 points.

In a game to 15, you only play one game to 15 (again, usually win by 2 points), but you change ends after one of the teams scores 8 points.

Choose Wisely

So, if you win the toss, which should you choose; serve or side? If there is no real advantage/disadvantage to either side, the team that starts to serve gets the first chance to score. However, players often choose this option when there is in fact an advantage or disadvantage to one side or the other. What are some factors that create an imbalance in the sides?

Outdoor tournaments

• Wind

Do you prefer to play into the wind or against the wind? Playing with the wind can be difficult, especially if you hit hard. Players who favor drop shots and the soft game may struggle finding the right amount of power to get the ball over the net when hitting into the wind.

Pro tip: Don't avoid playing recreationally on windy days if you ever play in outdoor tournaments. Get used to playing in windy conditions and know your strengths and weaknesses in the wind. Without that, you won't know which side will be easier for you 

• Sun/Shadows

Sun can cause problems when it is directly in your eyes. It can also cause problems because of glare off the court surface or reflections. Shadows on one side of the court can make it more difficult to see as well.

• Surface

Some venues have cracks. slick spots, dips, or other imperfections on the playing surface. In some cases, it's a wash because both sides are affected, but in some places and on some courts, it's worse on one side.

• Background

The area behind the court can make a difference in how well you can see the ball. Darker backdrops typically make it easier. If there is open space and/or other courts with matches or spectators behind the court, or just irregular shapes or patterns because of trees or anything else on one side, it can make it more difficult to track the ball.

• Space around the court/baseline

For outdoor venues, this is usually less of an issue, but it still happens, especially when you are playing on temporary courts. If you don't have room to receive the serve and the server backs you up against a fence or other obstruction behind the baseline, that can cause you trouble.

Indoor tournaments

• Surface

This can be as much or more of an issue with indoor venues because, at this stage of development in the sport, most indoor tournaments are hosted in locations that are not permanent pickleball courts. Is the court even everywhere? Are there cracks or dips? Small issues can make a difference in tight matches.

• Background

The background at an indoor tournament can make a significant difference related to how well you track the ball.

• Space around the court/baseline

Depending on the venue and the type of court, they may not have the same space on all sides of the court or behind the baseline. This can be especially true for indoor facilities.

• Lighting/shadows

There is no sun or wind, but if the lighting is not the same on both sides of the court, that can make a difference and render one side more advantageous.

How to know which side is better/worse

Sometimes it is obvious, but other times you may not know until you're playing. Ask players who have played matches there before your match if they noticed a difference. Watch some matches to see if teams seem to win on one side more than the other. Be sure to warm up on both sides of the court and play out some half court rallies with a variety of shots to see if you notice a difference. Try to play on both left and right sides of the court.

Which side should you pick?

It may seem counter intuitive, but if you get the chance to pick, choose the bad side first. Think about it. In a 2/3 to 11 match, if you can pull off a win on the bad side, your next game will be easier. All of the pressure will be on your opponents. If you lose on the bad side, you can push to win on the easier side. And if you win there, you will finish on the easy side in the 3rd game.

The same principles apply in a game to 15. You want to finish on the easy side. Even if you are behind before you change ends, you can potentially make it up when you change ends, and you will have more favorable conditions through the end of the match.

So always pick side?

No. There are many times when there is not a significant advantage to one side or the other. If so, choosing serve is probably the best option most of the time. The team that serves first gets the first opportunity to put points on the board.

Hope you found that helpful. Let me know if you have thoughts or comments on this subject.

Thanks for stopping by

No Fun David