Pickleball Scoring: Learn How To Keep Score Like a Pro

Pickleball, a popular paddle sport blending elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has gained global popularity for its fun and fast-paced nature. Suitable for players of all ages, it’s easy to learn, but understanding the scoring system is essential to compete like a pro. Whether you’re just curious about the game or have played already, this blog is your guide to understanding. We’ll delve into the pickleball scoring system and equip you with the knowledge to confidently keep score during your matches. This way you can fully enjoy the game and improve your skills on the court. Let’s dive into the world of pickleball!

Understanding the Basics

Pickleball is typically played in a best-of-three-games format. The first side to reach 11 points and win by a margin of two points wins each game. If the score reaches 10-10, a team must win by two points to claim victory in that game.

Serving and Scoring

To initiate play, the serving team is the first to score points. Only the serving team can earn points, and the receiving team can only score while they are serving. When the receiving team wins a rally, they become the serving team, and the roles switch accordingly.

Serving Rotation

In pickleball, there are specific rules governing the serving rotation, known as “right-side” and “left-side” service courts. The serving team starts on the right-side court, and the serving player must stand behind the baseline. The serve must be directed diagonally across the court, landing within the opposing team’s service court.

Scoring in Doubles Play

Pickleball can be played in both singles and doubles formats, but doubles play is more common and exciting. In doubles play, each team has two players on the court, one on the right side and one on the left side of the court.

Zero, One, Two: The Scoring Lingo

To keep score effectively, you need to understand the scoring lingo used in pickleball. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Zero: When the serving team fails to score a point, their score remains zero. The other team takes over the serve.

One: When the serving team wins a rally, they score a point and their score becomes one.

Two: The serving team earns two points if they win two consecutive rallies while serving. Their score becomes two.

Switching Sides

When the serving team reaches a total score that is a multiple of two (2, 4, 6, etc.), they must switch sides of the court with their partner. Switching sides helps ensure fairness in terms of wind and court conditions.

The Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) Rule

The Non-Volley Zone, also known as the Kitchen, is a seven-foot area on each side of the net. Players are not allowed to hit the ball while standing inside the NVZ, except when the ball bounces in this area or when they are at least one step behind the line. This rule aims to prevent players from “volleying” or hitting the pickleball ball out of the air within close proximity to the net, promoting more strategic play.

Keeping Score

To keep score accurately, you need to keep track of which team is serving and how many points each team has scored. You can use a traditional scorecard, a scorekeeper app, or simply call out the score before each serve. Remember to announce the server’s score first, followed by the opponent’s score.

Win by Two Rule

To win a game, a team must have a two-point advantage over their opponents. If the score reaches 10-10, the game continues until one team gains a two-point lead. This ensures that the winning team demonstrates consistent performance and skill.

Match Conclusion

In a best-of-three-games format, the first team to win two games is declared the match winner. If each team has won one game, the decisive third game determines the match winner.

Conclusion

Understanding the pickleball scoring system is essential for fully immersing yourself in the game and competing effectively. Keep track of the serving rotation, practice accurate scorekeeping, and familiarize yourself with the rules to excel in this exciting and social sport. As you become more proficient in scoring, you’ll find yourself fully engaged in the strategic and competitive aspects of pickleball. So, grab your paddle and head to the court!