You score only when serving; games to 11, win by 2, side-out scoring.
If you have asked how do you score in pickle ball, you are in the right place. I have coached new players, run rec nights, and kept messy scoreboards neat. I will walk you through how do you score in pickle ball with clear steps, real examples, and pro tips you can use today. Read on to learn the rules, avoid common errors, and start winning more points.
The core rule: side-out scoring
Pickleball uses side-out scoring. That means only the serving side can win a point. If the receiving side wins a rally, they do not score. They just win the serve.
A standard game is to 11. You must win by 2. Some matches use 15 or 21. The base rule stays the same.
If you ask how do you score in pickle ball, remember this first. You must be the server to score. That one rule guides every choice you make on court.
Serving order and court positions
The serve is underhand and hit cross-court. The serve must land in the diagonal service box past the kitchen line. No let serves are replayed under current rules; if the serve hits the net and lands in, play on.
Where do you stand? Use the even-odd rule.
- If your team’s score is even, the correct server serves from the right.
- If your team’s score is odd, the correct server serves from the left.
In doubles, only the server switches sides after winning a point. The non-serving partner stays put. This helps you track who should serve. It also answers how do you score in pickle ball when rallies get wild: when your score is even, serve from the right; odd, from the left.
Calling the score: what each number means
In doubles, call three numbers: server score, receiver score, then server number.
- Example: 4-2-1 means the serving team has 4, receiving team has 2, first server is serving.
- At the start of a game, the call is 0-0-2. This gives the first serving team only one server to begin. It keeps the opening fair.
In singles, call two numbers: server score and receiver score. No server number. If you still wonder how do you score in pickle ball, say the numbers out loud every rally. It keeps both sides honest and avoids disputes.
Singles vs doubles: what changes
The base scoring rule is the same. Only the server can score. Win by 2.
Key changes in singles:
- You serve from the right when your score is even. Left when odd.
- There is no server number.
Key changes in doubles:
- Each side has two servers per turn, except at 0-0-2 to start.
- When Server 1 loses the rally, Server 2 serves. When Server 2 loses, it is a side out.
When people ask how do you score in pickle ball, this is the next step. Learn the flow for singles and doubles. Practice the calls. It will click fast.
The two-bounce rule and the kitchen
Two-bounce rule: after the serve, the return must bounce once. Then the serving team must let the return bounce once before hitting it. After those two bounces, volleys are allowed.
Kitchen rule: you cannot volley while standing in the non-volley zone (the kitchen) or touching its line. You can step in to play a ball that bounces, then step out before volleying again.
These rules matter for scoring because most faults come from them. A bad volley in the kitchen or a missed bounce ends the rally. If you serve, you lose serve or a point. If you receive, you give the serve back. Master these and how do you score in pickle ball becomes simple: hold serve by avoiding easy faults.
Side outs and server 1 vs server 2
A side out happens when both servers on a team lose their rallies. The serve then goes to the other team. In doubles, the serving turn goes like this:
- Server 1 serves until a fault.
- Server 2 then serves until a fault.
- Side out. The other team now serves, starting with their Server 1.
The start of the game is the only time you hear 0-0-2. That first team gets only one server before the first side out. If you keep asking how do you score in pickle ball, track your server number. It keeps order and prevents giving points away by mistake.
Example scoring walkthroughs
Let’s run quick doubles examples. These are based on the official rules used in current play.
Example 1: first rally
- Call is 0-0-2.
- Team A serves. They win the rally. Score is 1-0-2. Server switches to the left.
- Team A serves again. They lose the rally. Side out, because it was “2.”
Example 2: middle game
- Team B now serves at 0-1-1.
- They win. 1-1-1. Server moves to left.
- They win. 2-1-1.
- They lose. Server 2 takes over. Score call is 2-1-2.
- They lose. Side out. Team A now serves at 1-2-1.
Example 3: singles parity check
- Server leads 6-3. Six is even. Serve from right.
- Server wins. 7-3. Seven is odd. Serve from left.
When you can narrate these flows, how do you score in pickle ball stops being a puzzle. It becomes a rhythm you can trust.
Strategy: how to actually earn points
Holding serve is the heart of scoring. Here is what works for me and for players I coach.
- Nail deep serves. Aim three feet from the baseline. Deep returns come back weaker.
- Target the weaker backhand on returns and third shots.
- Use a safe third shot. A soft drop into the kitchen sets up longer rallies you can control.
- Move as a unit in doubles. Close the middle. Protect lines late in points.
- Win with fewer errors. Most points come from mistakes, not winners.
When you master serve pressure and error control, how do you score in pickle ball becomes “score often.” Small, safe choices stack points.
Common scoring mistakes and fixes
These errors cost the most points at rec nights.
- Wrong server or wrong side. Fix: check the even-odd rule before every serve.
- Bad score call. Fix: say it loud every rally. If unsure, replay the point by agreement.
- Kitchen volleys. Fix: plant your toes behind the line when punching volleys.
- Serving to the wrong box. Fix: pause, make eye contact, and aim diagonally.
- Rushing the two-bounce rule. Fix: say “bounce-bounce” out loud for your first two shots.
If you keep a simple checklist, how do you score in pickle ball becomes steady and calm. Fewer freebies means more holds.
Tools and memory tricks to keep score
Tracking score gets harder as rallies heat up. Use these aids.
- Wristband trick. The player who started as Server 1 wears a band. It helps confirm server order later.
- Even-right mantra. Say “even-right” before serving. It anchors your feet.
- Apps and scoreboards. Simple counters keep matches clean for leagues and ladders.
- Call-and-confirm. Both teams repeat the score before serve. It prevents disputes.
These tools make how do you score in pickle ball feel simple and fair, even in long games.
Variations you may see
Most play uses side-out scoring. Some events and pilot formats test rally scoring. In rally scoring, every rally gives a point to the winner, serve or receive. The match target may change, like to 15.
Know the rules used at your venue. Ask before play starts. This keeps how do you score in pickle ball clear and avoids mid-game debates.
Frequently Asked Questions of how do you score in pickle ball
Do you have to serve to score in pickle ball?
Yes. In standard side-out scoring, only the serving team can score a point. The receiving team must win a side out before they can score.
What does 0-0-2 mean at the start?
It means the game starts with the second server. The first team gets only one server to begin, then side out.
In singles, which side do I serve from?
Serve from the right when your score is even. Serve from the left when your score is odd.
How many points do you play to in pickle ball?
Most games go to 11, win by 2. Some formats use 15 or 21, still win by 2.
What happens if I call the wrong score?
Stop and correct it before the serve if possible. If play starts and both sides disagree, agree to a replay to keep it fair.
Can I volley in the kitchen if the ball bounces?
Yes, you may step into the kitchen to hit a ball that bounced first. You must exit before you volley again.
Does the return of serve have to bounce?
Yes. The serve must bounce once on the return, and the serving team must let that return bounce once before hitting.
Conclusion
You now know how do you score in pickle ball: only the server can score, you must win by 2, and order matters. Use the even-right rule, call the score before every serve, and protect the kitchen. Practice deep serves and soft thirds to hold serve more often.
Take this guide to your next game. Teach a friend how do you score in pickle ball while you warm up. Want more tips? Subscribe for new drills, rule updates, and advanced tactics.