Scoring in pickleball can be a bit confusing for beginners, but once you understand the basic rules and format, it becomes much easier. Here is a detailed explanation of how to score in pickleball, with a focus on doubles play:
Basic rules:
a. Pickleball is usually played to 11 points, but it can be played to 15 or 21 points, depending on the tournament or players’ preferences.
b. A team must win by at least 2 points to secure victory.
c. Points can only be scored by the serving team.
d. In doubles, both players on a team have an opportunity to serve before the serve switches to the opposing team. However, during the first service rotation of the game, only one player serves.
Serving and scoring in doubles:
a. At the beginning of the game, the player on the right side of the court (from the serving team’s perspective) serves first.
b. If the serving team wins the rally, they score a point, and the server moves to the left side of the court to serve again.
c. If the serving team loses the rally, no points are scored, and the second player on the team (if it is not the first service rotation of the game) serves from their current position (left or right side).
d. When both players on the serving team have lost their serve, it is called a “side-out,” and the opposing team takes over serving.
Announcing the score:
a. Before each serve, the server should announce the score loudly and clearly.
b. The score announcement consists of three numbers: the serving team’s score, the receiving team’s score, and the server number (either 1 or 2, indicating which server of the team is currently serving).
c. For example, if the serving team has 4 points, the receiving team has 6 points, and it is the first server, the server should announce “4-6-1.”
By understanding these basic principles of pickleball scoring, you will be able to keep track of the score and enjoy the game.