Will Skinny Singles Replace Regular Singles

Skinny singles does not require a diet...

I previously posted a short article called Skinny Singles. Aspen Kern recently posted on the same topic in Pickleball Forum. I corrected some typos and otherwise made it more readable, but the text is Aspen's.

Half Court Singles (Skinny Singles)

10 years ago the number of players in the USA was small. It was difficult to even find 4 players to get a game of doubles going so I came up with a game I called half court singles or "skinny singles". It had most likely been played before but I was the first one to put it on youtube with the rules. About a year later we noticed Coach Mo was using it to teach his students down in The Villages. 

The game can be used to mimic doubles play when you just have 2 players. It can be played straight across or cross court, both utilize the same diagonal serve just as in 4 person doubles (don't get in the habit of serving straight across it is bad practice and there is no need for it). I have seen many variations on the game but this is what I have found to be the best. 

To erne or not to erne? Probably best to not allow ernes for the simple fact that once you get to a certain level you very rarely have a chance to perform one. You decide on this one. Allow around the post playing half court singles straight across (again very rare) and cross court if you can make the ball land in the far court so it is defendable (rare also).You may allow cross court around the post to near court just to practice this shot. 

Some people use tape to cut the kitchen in half - net to kitchen (shown) - but for practice you don't need to. For cross court there is a part of the court that can be targeted in advance play making it virtually impossible for your opponent to cover. The diagram below shows the two triangles that can be exploited, this can be remedied by the triangles being taped off. We have found that 5 feet in and 5 feet down works well. I usually just play where there is an agreement not to hit the shots that target these triangles so no tape is needed. 

Play to 11 win by 2. It is simplest to play a whole game straight then a whole game cross court. making sure you practice both crosscourt sides. 

There are no official rules yet for half court singles so you can make adjustments wherever you wish. But the above guidelines will get you started in the right direction and allow you to practice your doubles game with just 2 people. Keep in mind it only mimics doubles, it is not doubles. Your strategies are different and it can force you into some bad decisions in 4 person doubles. A few tournaments have included skinny singles but it hasn't caught on. I believe it will eventually replace singles. Use it when you can't find 4 players.