Pickleball Scoring Rules

The 70% (33,810,000) of the pickleball players make a fault in scoring due to little understanding of rules. In these players most of the new and intermediate players are confused in the pickleball scoring rules. These rules are absolute and equally applicable on all players. 

There is no rocket science to understand the rules of pickleball scoring but here is the small logic you keep in your mind. Enthusiasts find it complex that if we make a fault on the court then the point will be deducted in that case or not? There are lots of multiple things which will blink in your mind about pickleball scoring.

In this guide, we will explore the guidelines about pickleball scoring and rules in detail along with how to make points in pickleball, are there any differences between singles and doubles scoring and many more.

Pickleball Scoring Rules- Guidelines

Here is a detailed overview about scoring rules of pickleball. After reading that you will have a clear picture about it. It will help you to play confidently on the court.

Basics of Pickleball Scoring

There are 5 fundamentals of pickleball scoring which are given below.

1. The serving side will only make scores until it makes a fault and loses the serve.
2. According to the official pickleball scoring rules, the score should be shout loud verbally before every serve.
3. The singles score contains 2 numbers while the doubles will contain 3 numbers.
4. There are 11 total points and you have to make 2 extra points to win the match.
5. The serving sequence is crucial. In doubles play, both partners on a team will serve and switch positions after each serve, except for the first service sequence at the beginning of the game.

What are the 3 ways to score in pickleball?

Serving and winning the rally, forcing the opponent to make a fault, and playing with that strategy which compels the opponent to make a fault. 

Here is the explanation:

(1) Fault by the Opponent
The easy way to score in pickleball is when your opponent makes a mistake. The fault is hitting the ball out of bounds, volleying in the kitchen, and touching the net.

(2) Winning a Rally
If the serving team wins a rally by hitting a shot that the opponents cannot return, they score a point.

(3) Serve Reciever make a mistake
This type of score totally depends upon your strategy. Like you have played with that very angel which compels your opponent to make a mistake and it will give an opportunity to make a score.

How to score a singles game in pickleball?

There will be only one player on each side of the court. If you lose the serve then it will be awarded to the other side of the court. 

In case of even scores the server will be served from the right while in the odd score the ball will be served from the left side of the court. 

There are few points to keep in your mind about singles scoring.

• It is very similar to doubles except the 2nd player or team mate.
• You have to serve from the right side when the score is even but in case your scores are odd then you have to serve from the left. 
• The server score will determine the serving position while the receiver will align himself with the server’s left and right side.
• The name “ Score” is constant whether it is done by the server or receiver side. 

Player Positioning for singles Pickleball

The positioning in singles pickleball involves frequent advances to the non-volley zone (or “kitchen”), especially after a successful serve or deep shot. Moving towards the net allows players to take control of the rally, forcing the opponent into a defensive position.

However, players must be cautious to avoid being caught out of position by lobs or sharp angles. Effective singles players combine agility and anticipation with strategic positioning, continually balancing their stance to cover the court efficiently and stay one step ahead of their opponent’s shots.

How to score a doubles game in pickleball?

The points will be considered a score if it is from the server side while the receiver side can not make a score until and unless become a receiver.

• At the starting point of the match, the player plays a rally from the right side of the court with even score but the point should be noted that every shot will be diagonally hitted.
• In case if a point is scored on the right side then the server side will change the side with the team mate and will be served from the left side (odd score) to the opposite diagonal side. 
• The server side is instructed according to the rules of pickleball scoring that side will be changed when the point becomes score and this will repeat with every score. 
• The serving side can not change the sides until they scored while the receiver side is also bound to not change the sides as well.
• The serving team will continue to serve until they lose the rally by committing faults after that fault the serve will transfer to the other side.
• This point is important, when the server side loses the serve then the other team will serve from his right side of the court.
• In double scoring the score will be called the three numbers.
• Its scoring sequence will be like server score, reciever score, then server score.
• At the start of the game the score will be called zero-zero, two.
• Only the serving team can score points. Points are scored when the serving team wins a rally.
• Games are typically played to 11 points, but players must win by at least 2 points. Some tournaments may use 15 or 21 points, also with a win-by-2 requirement.
• Each team has two players who serve before the serve goes to the other team, except at the start of the game when the first serving team only gets one serve rotation before switching.
• The score is called in a specific order: the serving team’s score, the receiving team’s score, and the server number (either “1” or “2”).

For example, if the serving team has 5 points, the receiving team has 3 points, and it’s the first server’s turn, the score would be called “5-3-1.”

Example of Standard Doubles Scoring

1. Initial Serve
   • The game starts with the score at 0-0, and only the first server of the game serves.
   • If the serving team wins the rally, they score a point and continue serving.
   • If they lose the rally, the serve goes to their partner.
     
2. Subsequent Serves
   • After the first serve, the serve alternates between players on the serving team until both players lose their serves.
   • When both players on the serving team lose their serves, the serve switches to the other team.

Start of the Game

• Team A serves, only Player A1 serves at the start.
• Score is 0-0-2.
• If they lose the rally, serve goes to Team B.

Normal Play

• Team B serves, starting with Player B1 (score 0-0-1).
• If Player B1 loses the serve, Player B2 serves (score 0-0-2).
• If Player B2 loses the serve, the serve goes back to Team A.

Scoring

• If Team B wins a rally on their serve, the score changes to 1-0-1 for the next serve.
• Serve continues with Player B1 serving until they lose the serve, then Player B2 serves.

Player positioning for pickleball doubles

In doubles pickleball, player positioning is all about teamwork and strategic court coverage. Each team typically positions one player near the non-volley zone (or “kitchen”) and the other player slightly behind or at the baseline, allowing for both offensive net play and defensive baseline coverage.

During rallies, players should communicate and move in unison, shifting side-to-side on each score to maintain a balanced court presence and minimize gaps. The front player aggressively intercepts shots near the net, while the back player is prepared to handle deeper shots, ensuring the team can cover both short and long balls effectively.

This dynamic positioning and constant coordination are key to controlling the game and outperform the opponents.

What is the starting score of a doubles pickleball game?

In doubles pickleball, the game begins with the score “0-0-2.” This score indicates that both teams start with zero points, and the number “2” signifies that it’s the second server, meaning the serve will switch to the opposing team after the first rally.

This unique rule applies only to the first serve of the game and ensures a fair balance by allowing only one player from the starting team to serve before the serve rotates to the other team. After this initial serve, the usual serving pattern resumes, where both players on each team get a chance to serve in their team’s turn.

How to score in pickleball?

Scoring pickleball is so simple and it revolves around the team which wins the rally. Points can only be earned by the serving team, achieved when they successfully win a rally by forcing the opponents into an error or fault.

This fault could be failing to return the ball over the net, hitting out of bounds, or stepping into the non-volley zone during a volley. The serving team begins each game with a score of “0-0-2” in doubles, indicating the second server starts, and “0-0” in singles, with serve alternating sides based on the server’s score parity. Points are called out in a specific format, detailing the serving team’s score, the receiving team’s score, and the server number (1 or 2). Games are typically played to 11 points, with a requirement to win by at least 2 points. This scoring system ensures clarity and fairness throughout the match, whether playing casually or competitively.

How does pickleball scoring work?

There are 3 points about how pickleball scoring works. The earning points will lead to the scores, scoring format, and the game completion. These points are given below.

(1) Earning Points
Points can only be scored by the serving team. They win a point when the opposing team fails to return the ball legally over the net and into the designated court area, resulting in a missed shot, out-of-bounds hit, or a fault like stepping into the non-volley zone during a volley.

(2) Scoring Format
In doubles, scores are called out as “serving team’s score, receiving team’s score, and server number (1 or 2).” For example, “4-3-1” means the serving team has 4 points, the receiving team has 3 points, and it’s the first server’s turn. In singles, it’s simply “server’s score, receiver’s score” (e.g., “4-3”).

(3) Game Completion
Games are typically played to 11 points, but this can vary. To win, a team must have at least a 2-point lead over their opponent (e.g., 11-9 or 12-10). Some formats extend games to 15 or 21 points, always with a win-by-2 rule of pickleball scoring.

How do you keep track of scores in pickleball?

By consistently announcing scores and using scorecards, players can ensure clarity and avoid confusion during matches.

• Announce the current score verbally before each serve, including team scores and server number in doubles.
• Use scorecards or tally sheets to track points won by the serving team.
• Rotate the serve between players on the serving team after each point in doubles play.

Conclusion

We have explained pickleball scoring rules clearly, focusing on common challenges for new and intermediate players. It covers how points are earned only by the serving team, the differences between singles and doubles scoring, and important guidelines for serving and game completion. By simplifying these rules, the article helps players understand and apply them confidently, ensuring a fair and enjoyable experience on the court.

FAQs About Pickleball Rules for Scoring

What does 0 0 2 mean in pickleball? 

In pickleball, “0-0-2” refers to the starting score at the beginning of a doubles game. Here’s what it means:

• 0: This indicates that neither team has scored any points yet.
• 0: It signifies that the receiving team has zero points.
• 2: This number indicates that it’s the second server’s turn to serve for the serving team.

This score configuration is specific to the initial serve of the game in doubles play. It ensures that the serving team starts with the second player serving first, allowing each team an equal opportunity to serve initially before the serve rotates normally between players.

Are games played to 15 points in pickleball? 

No, games in pickleball are typically played to 11 points, not 15. However, some variations or specific tournament rules may extend games to 15 points.