Cooperative pickleball
Play with each other,
not against.
The goal is simple: have fun and stay active together. Every shot is hit so your partner can return it. Longer rallies earn your team more points, and nobody wins or loses.
Created with players 55+ in mind. Friends and family welcome.
Fun and exercise
Enjoy moving, laughing, and time on the court together. That is the whole point, not beating anyone.
Hit it to be returned
Every shot is meant to be returned: comfortable, reachable, easy to play. A miss is no problem. Reset and keep rallying.
One team score, no winner
You score together: the longer your rally, the more points you both earn. No lobs or smashes, and let difficult balls go.
Your first rally starts here
Bring a partner, paddles, and a ball. Warm up and choose a comfortable pace.
Serve gently. Use a legal diagonal serve. Let the serve and its return each bounce.
Help each other. Play returnable shots and keep the rally going.
Rest when you like. Pause between rallies, and stop whenever either of you wants.
Standard shot, boundary, bounce, and kitchen rules apply. Our cooperative format changes scoring and serving turns.
Read the basic rulesEase in. Play games. Wind down.
Each time you play has three simple parts. Play as many games as you like, and stop whenever you want.
5 minutes of gentle movement and an easy theme.
Each game is 10 minutes. Play as many as you want. Score as a team, using any style that keeps the rally going.
5 minutes of a relaxing theme to finish gently.
2 games = 20 minutes of play, 30 minutes with easing in and winding down. 4 games = 40 minutes of play, 50 in all. Rest between games as you like.
How to playScore as a team
In each 10-minute game, the longer your rally, the more points you both earn. Add up each game and watch your team score grow.
One long rally beats several short ones, and 60 seconds is the top, so there is no reason to push past it. Estimates are fine.
Five themes for easing in and winding down
Choose one at a time. Themes are unscored, so just enjoy them.
Soft touch
After the serve and return, both move up near the kitchen line and trade gentle shots that bounce in the kitchen.
How to playPick a side
Agree on forehands or backhands and give each other shots to that side. If the ball goes elsewhere, return it normally or let it go.
How to playPick a lane
Before the rally, choose straight ahead or crosscourt, then rally through that lane. A missed lane is fine.
How to playSlow motion
Hit the slowest, gentlest shot that still clears the net: low and soft, never a lob.
How to playSwitch hands
Try your other hand with gentle shots. Switch only between rallies, and go back to your usual hand whenever you want.
How to play