The Basics of Scoring: How to Score in Pickleball
At its core, how you score in pickleball is a straightforward concept. Only the serving team can earn points. When you’re learning how you score in pickleball, you’ll discover that a point is earned when the opposing team makes a fault, such as hitting the ball out of bounds, into the net, or violating the “kitchen” rule. A game is typically played to 11 points, but you must win by a margin of at least two points. This fundamental rule is a key part of how you score in pickleball. To better understand all official rules, you can refer to our Complete Pickleball Play Guide: Origins and Official Rules.
The Three-Number Call: A Guide to How You Score in Pickleball
The most common point of confusion for new players is the three-number score call. This call is critical to understanding how do you score in pickleball in doubles play. When you’re focused on how you score in pickleball, remembering these three numbers is essential.
The three numbers are:
- Your team’s score.
- The opponent’s score.
- The server number.
For example, if the score is “3-2-1,” it means your team has 3 points, the opponent has 2 points, and you are the first server for your team. This system provides a clear picture of the game’s state and is essential for keeping the game fair. Mastering this call is central to understanding how do you score in pickleball.
The Serving Side’s Advantage: How You Score in Pickleball with Serves
Serving is where how you score in pickleball begins. At the start of a doubles game, the first server for the starting team calls out the score as “0-0-2.” This is a unique rule for how you score in pickleball; the starting team only gets one server to start the game. After that, both players on a team get to serve before the serve transitions to the opponents.
The Serving Sequence: A Step-by-Step Guide
The serve always starts from the right-hand side of the court. To understand how you score in pickleball through serving, follow this sequence:
- First Server: The first server on a team continues to serve until their team loses the point. They then lose the serve to their partner.
- Second Server: The second server on the team then serves until their team loses the point.
- Opponent’s Turn: At this point, the serve goes to the other team. The new serving team’s first player (the one on the right side of the court) will serve.
This rotation is a key part of how do you score in pickleball. It ensures both players on a team get a chance to serve and score points. If the serving team commits a fault, they don’t lose a point; they simply lose the serve.
The Rules of the Game: How You Score in Pickleball
A point is scored only when the serving team wins a rally. This happens when the receiving team commits a fault. A fault can be:
- Hitting the ball out of bounds.
- Hitting the ball into the net.
- A foot fault on the serve.
- Hitting the ball before it bounces on the first two shots (the “two-bounce rule”).
- Hitting the ball from inside the non-volley zone (the “kitchen”) before it bounces.
Knowing these rules is just as important as knowing how you score in pickleball. When the receiving team commits a fault, the serving team earns a point. This is the simple yet vital way how you score in pickleball on the court.
Winning the Game: The 11-Point Rule and How You Score in Pickleball
A standard game of pickleball is played to 11 points. However, simply reaching 11 isn’t enough. You must win by at least two points. This rule prevents a game from ending in a tie and adds an exciting dynamic to the end of the match. For instance, if the score is 10-10, play continues until one team reaches a score of 12 while the other team has 10. Understanding this is a crucial part of how you score in pickleball. When you’re wondering how do you score in pickleball at the end of a close game, remember this two-point rule.
FAQs about How You Score in Pickleball
What if I call out the wrong score?
Mistakes happen! Simply correct the score and move on. The game can only continue once both teams agree on the correct score. This highlights the importance of clear communication when learning how you score in pickleball.
Do I have to say the score before every serve?
Yes. Announcing the score before each serve is a fundamental rule of pickleball. This prevents disputes and ensures fair play. It’s a key part of how do you score in pickleball properly.
How do you score in pickleball for singles?
In singles, how you score in pickleball is much simpler. There are only two numbers: your score and your opponent’s score. The server still has to call the score before serving. The serve alternates between the right and left sides of the court, depending on whether the server’s score is even or odd. This is the core of how you score in pickleball in a one-on-one match.
The Kitchen Rule: A Quick Recap
While not directly related to the numbers, the “kitchen” or non-volley zone rule is critical to understanding how faults lead to points, and therefore, how you score in pickleball. Players are not allowed to hit the ball in the air (volley) while standing inside the kitchen. A violation results in a fault and a point for the opponent (if they are the serving team) or a loss of serve. This is a crucial element of how do you score in pickleball in a rally. For a more comprehensive look at all the rules, including those for the kitchen, see our Complete Pickleball Play Guide: Origins and Official Rules.
[Image requirements: A court diagram showing the non-volley zone (“kitchen”) with arrows indicating that players cannot volley from within this area.]
Conclusion
Understanding how you score in pickleball is a fundamental skill that every player needs. From the three-number call in doubles to the two-point winning margin, these rules define the game. By memorizing these principles and practicing them on the court, you’ll not only improve your game but also add to the fun and fairness of every match. Learning how you score in pickleball is a rewarding experience for any player.
