Who serves when in soft tennis doubles?
I · Intermediate · Serving and receiving · 3 of 6In soft tennis doubles one pair serves for the whole game, the partners taking turns to serve two points each. The pairs swap serving after every game and change ends after each odd game. In the final game all four players serve two points in rotation, and the ends change after the first two points and then every four.
How it works
- Toss: before the match a coin toss gives one pair first choice of serve, receive or end.
- Within a game: each server serves two points in a row, then the partner serves two.
- Fixed order: the serving order between partners does not change during a game.
- Between games: the pairs swap serve after every game except the final game.
- Changing ends: after the first, third, fifth game and so on.
- Final game serving: every two points, the serve passes to the other pair.
- Final game rotation: a server of one pair, a receiver of the other, the second server, the second receiver, then repeat.
- Final game ends: change after the first two points, then after every four.
The glossary has the change of service and sides, the toss for serve or side, the servers and receivers, the final game, the rotation error and the serve.
Tricky cases
Does one player serve a whole game, as in tennis doubles?
No. The partners split the serving game, two points each.
In the final game, who serves the third and fourth points?
A player from the pair that received the first two points.
When are the ends changed in the final game?
After two points, then after six, ten and so on.
What does the winner of the toss choose?
Serve, receive or end; the other pair chooses from what is left.
Why the rule exists
Two-point turns give each partner equal service in every serving game. Frequent changes of end in the final game share out the effects of wind and sun.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Doubles game | Two points each, partners in turn | ISTF C 24.2 |
| Singles game | Each player serves whole games in turn | ISTF S 4 |
| Final game | All four serve in rotation | ISTF C 32.2 |
From the rule book
International Soft Tennis Federation, Technical Rules (web text, site snapshot of 30 January 2024): Rules for Competitions, articles 24, 31 and 32; singles rule 4; Rules for Umpiring, article 23(6). Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the ISTF Technical Rules, published on the federation's website.