How to Keep Score in Pickleball: A Simple Guide for Beginners
If you’ve recently picked up a pickleball paddle and stepped onto the court, you’ve probably noticed that the scoring system isn’t quite as straightforward as in tennis or other sports. But don’t worry, whether you’re 30 or 65, you’re not alone in feeling a little confused about how to keep score. The good news is that once you get the hang of it, scoring becomes second nature, and you'll be able to focus on what matters most: having fun and winning points!
This guide is designed to break down pickleball scoring for players in the 30-65 age group, so let’s dive in and unravel the mystery of how to keep score in pickleball once and for all.
1. The Basics of Pickleball Scoring
First off, let's talk about how pickleball scoring is different from other racket sports. If you're familiar with tennis or racquetball, you might find the pickleball scoring system a bit unusual. For starters, only the serving team can score. This means that if you’re the receiving team, you can win a rally, but you won’t get any points unless it’s your turn to serve.
Types of Games and Scoring Systems
Pickleball is most commonly played in two formats:
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Traditional Scoring: The standard format is a game played to 11 points, and you need to win by at least 2 points. In tournament play, some games may go up to 15 or 21 points, but 11 is typical for casual games.
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Rally Scoring: Although it’s not the most common, rally scoring is used in some formats. In rally scoring, every rally results in a point—whether the serving or receiving team wins it. This makes games move faster but is not the primary way to score in pickleball.
If you're just starting out, stick with traditional scoring to avoid confusion, and focus on mastering the basics.
2. How to Keep Score During Play
Once you understand the basic premise of scoring, the next step is learning how to announce the score and follow the serve rotation.
Serve Rotation
- Singles: In a singles game, you’ll start serving from the right side (also known as the even side). If you lose the point, you switch to the left side (odd side) to serve. After every point you win, you’ll switch sides.
- Doubles: In a doubles game, you’ll have two players on each team. The first server will serve from the right side, and then they’ll switch to the left side after losing the first point. The second player on the team will serve after that. Each team gets two serves (one per player) before the serve rotates to the other team.
In doubles, players must keep track of who is serving and where they are on the court. For example, if the score is 3-2-1, it means:
- The first number (3) is the server's score.
- The second number (2) is the receiving team's score.
- The third number (1) tells you that it’s the first server of the serving team.
Pro Tip: Always announce the score before each serve, and be loud and clear to avoid confusion.
3. How Points Are Scored
Now, let’s talk about how you actually earn points in pickleball.
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Faults: You can score a point when your opponents make a fault, meaning they hit the ball out of bounds, fail to clear the net, or hit the ball twice before it bounces (double bounce). You’ll also score points if your opponent violates the kitchen rule (no volleys in the 7-foot non-volley zone), or commits a foot fault while serving.
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The Rule of Only the Serving Team Scoring: Here’s a key thing to remember: Only the serving team can score points. If the receiving team wins the rally, they get the serve—but no points. It’s only when the serving team wins the rally that they add a point to their score.
For example: If the score is 5-3-2, and the serving team wins the rally, they’ll score a point, and the score will become 6-3-1 (with the server’s side switching).
Winning the Game
Pickleball games are played to 11 points, and you must win by at least 2 points. If the score is tied at 10-10, the game continues until one team achieves a 2-point lead. In tournament play, games may go to 15 or even 21 points, but the 11-point format is the most common for recreational players.
4. Special Pickleball Scoring Rules
There are a few quirky rules in pickleball that you’ll want to know about when it comes to scoring.
The Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen) Rule
The kitchen is the 7-foot area on either side of the net where players are not allowed to volley. This is one of the most unique aspects of pickleball. You can’t smash a ball directly out of the air in this area. You can only step into the kitchen to hit the ball after it bounces.
This rule doesn’t directly affect the scoring, but it’s something you should keep in mind, especially when the game gets fast-paced at the net!
The Third Shot Drop
The third shot drop is an important pickleball strategy. After the serve and return of serve, the third shot is often a soft, controlled drop that lands just inside the non-volley zone. The goal is to give your team time to get to the net and take control of the rally.
While it doesn’t directly change the way you keep score, it’s one of the key strategies that can help you win points in the long run.
Let Serve Rule
In pickleball, if the ball hits the net on a serve and still lands in the correct service box, it’s called a let and the serve is replayed. No point is lost for a let, so it’s essentially a "do-over."
5. Scoring in Doubles: Important Considerations
Scoring in doubles can be a bit trickier because you have two players per team and two different serving orders to track. Here are some things to keep in mind:
How Doubles Scoring Differs
In doubles, the scoring works in exactly the same way as singles, but there’s an added layer of complexity due to the serve rotation. Remember, each team has two opportunities to serve (one for each player), so the server's score needs to be announced before each serve.
For example:
- If the score is 6-3-1, it means Player 1 of Team A (the first server) is serving. After Player 1’s turn, Player 2 will serve. If Team A wins a rally, they will stay on the same side of the court and Player 1 will serve from the left (odd side) next.
Common Doubles Scoring Mistakes
One of the most common mistakes in doubles is forgetting the server’s turn. If you’re playing with a partner, be sure to keep track of whose turn it is to serve and don’t confuse the server number.
Also, don’t forget the order: the first player serves, then the second, then the serve passes to the other team.
6. Tips for Learning and Mastering Pickleball Scoring
If you’re new to pickleball, keeping score might seem a little intimidating at first. But with a little practice, it’ll become second nature.
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Practice with a Partner: The more you play, the easier it becomes to remember how to keep score. Try to practice announcing the score with a friend or fellow player. Repetition is key!
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Use a Scoreboard: Many courts have scoreboards, but you can also bring a small portable one or even use your phone to track scores.
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Watch Live or Online Matches: Watching experienced players is a great way to pick up on scoring nuances. Pay attention to how they announce the score and rotate servers.
7. Common Scoring Mistakes to Avoid
There are a few common mistakes that pickleball players often make when it comes to scoring. Here’s what to watch out for:
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Switching Sides Too Early: One mistake beginners often make is switching sides before it’s time. Be sure to follow the serve rotation rules and only switch when appropriate.
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Misunderstanding the Server’s Number: If you don’t know whether it’s server 1 or server 2, you might mess up your serve rotation. Always be aware of your position.
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Not Calling the Score Loudly Enough: Especially in doubles, it’s important to call the score clearly before each serve. This prevents confusion and helps everyone stay on track.
Conclusion
Understanding how to keep score in pickleball is a key part of enjoying the game. It doesn’t matter if you’re 30 or 65—once you get the hang of the system, you’ll feel much more confident on the court. So, the next time you play, try to focus on mastering the score-keeping process as much as you focus on your backhand or your