How to play pickleball with two players, half court.

This is a variation for two players using only half the court. It is really good for learning to control the ball!

In a nutshell

The 7-11 pickleball game is a two-player practice drill designed to improve your transition game, third-shot drops, and net play by pitting a player with a positional advantage against a player fighting to advance. It is traditionally played on half the court (skinny singles style).

Setup and Positions

The Net Player: Starts at the non-volley zone (kitchen) line and needs 11 points to win.
The Baseline Player: Starts behind the baseline and needs 7 points to win.
The Advantage: The net player gets a higher point target because starting at the kitchen line gives them a massive positional advantage.

How to Play

The Feed: The net player initiates the rally with a friendly, cooperative feed or serve over to the baseline player.
The Return: The baseline player lets the ball bounce once, then chooses to drive, drop, or lob the ball while working their way through the transition zone.
The Rally: Play out the point normally until a player wins the rally.
Scoring: Points are awarded on every rally regardless of who fed the ball (rally scoring). If the baseline player wins the point, they get a point. If the net player wins, they get a point.
Switching Roles: Once a player reaches their target score (11 for the net player, 7 for the baseline player), the game ends. Switch roles and play again so both players practice from the baseline and the kitchen.

Playing on half the court keeps the focus on depth, accuracy, and transition technique rather than forcing a single baseline player to cover the entire width of the court against someone already at the net.

The Two Setup Variations

You can choose one of two setups depending on what you want to practice:

Straight-Ahead (Down-the-Line): Both players use the same half of the court (e.g., both play on the right side). This creates a direct, tight angle that mimics cross-court doubles defense or down-the-line singles play.
Cross-Court (Diagonal): Players stand diagonally from each other (e.g., one on the right baseline, one on the left kitchen line). This is highly recommended because it mirrors the exact angles and distance you encounter when hitting a third-shot drop in standard doubles.

Regardless of which side you choose, any ball that lands in the other half of the court is considered out of bounds.

Cat and Mouse (or modified singles 7-11)

If you prefer serving the usual way from behind the baseline, you can adapt the drill into a popular variation called Cat and Mouse (or modified singles 7-11).

You can choose one of two setups depending on what you want to practice:

The Feed (The "Serve"): The net player should push their opening feed deep into the baseline player's court. A shallow feed makes the drill too easy for the baseline player. A deep feed forces them to hit a difficult, deep shot while moving forward.
The Return: The baseline player must focus on hitting their first shot deep into the kitchen or transition zone (preferably low at the net player's feet). Hitting a deep, unattackable drop or a hard, low drive is exactly what allows the baseline player to advance.

Why this variation makes the drill better

In a regular pickleball game, hitting deep keeps your opponent pinned back. In 7-11, applying this rule makes the drill highly realistic. A deep feed forces the baseline player to practice hitting under pressure, while a "deep" (low and precise) return prevents the net player from instantly slamming the ball for a winner.

In this version, the baseline player serves first from behind their own baseline, hitting it straight ahead to the net player who is waiting on the opposite baseline.

Here is how the positioning and rules adjust for this serving style on a half-court:

The "Serve Deep" Setup

1. The Starting Positions: Both players start behind their respective baselines on the same side of the court (straight-ahead, down-the-line).

2. The Serve: You hit a traditional, legal underhand serve from behind your baseline straight across to your opponent’s deep court.

3. The Return & Advance: Your opponent returns the serve deep and immediately charges the net to take over the kitchen line.

4. The 7-11 Dynamic Begins: Once your opponent is at the net and you are at the baseline, the standard 7-11 rally begins. You are now the "baseline player" trying to work your way up to the net, and they are the "net player" trying to keep you back.

Final thoughts

The Double Bounce Rule Still Applies

Since you are serving the usual way in Cat and Mouse, you must follow the two-bounce rule. You must let your opponent's return bounce once on your side before you can hit it. After that third shot, you can begin your drop-and-drive transition to the net.

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