Only the serving team can score. Call server score, receiver score, then server number.
You came to learn how to score in pickleball, and you’re in the right place. I’ve coached hundreds of new players. Clear scoring is the first skill I teach. Stick with me and you’ll master how to score in pickleball, call it with confidence, and win more tight games.
The core rules of pickleball scoring
Pickleball uses side-out scoring in standard play. Only the serving team can score a point. Games are most often to 11, and you must win by 2.
A serve must go cross-court into the service box. It must land past the non-volley zone line. Let serves count if they land in. The double-bounce rule applies before any team can volley.
If you want to know how to score in pickleball fast, start here. Keep the serve. Win rallies. Build a lead two points at a time.
How to call the score in doubles
You call three numbers in this order: server score, receiver score, server number. The server number is 1 or 2. It shows whether the first or second server is up for your team.
At the very start, the score is 0-0-2. That “2” is by design. It avoids a big edge for the team that serves first.
Say the score before you serve. Say it loud so both teams hear. For example:
- 5-3-1 means your team has 5, the other team has 3, and server 1 is serving.
- If you win a point, you switch sides with your partner and keep server 1.
- If you lose the rally, server 2 serves. Call 5-3-2.
When in doubt, pause and agree on the score. Clear calls are the backbone of how to score in pickleball.
Pro tip from my clinics: touch your chest as you say “one” or “two.” It helps you track your server number.
Doubles rotation and who serves next
Each team has two servers per turn: server 1 then server 2. When your team wins a point, both partners switch sides. The same server keeps serving until a rally is lost.
When your team loses a rally on server 2, it’s a side out. The other team gets the ball. Their server 1 starts on the right (even) side.
Here is a clean flow to follow:
- New service turn starts on the right as server 1.
- Score a point, switch sides, keep serving.
- Lose a rally, move to server 2, no side switch.
- Lose again, side out. Other team’s server 1 starts on the right.
Use a wristband to mark server 1. This simple habit fixes most confusion about how to score in pickleball during doubles.
Singles scoring and serve positions
Singles is two numbers only: server score, receiver score. There is no server number. But the even-odd rule still matters.
If your score is even, you serve from the right. If it is odd, you serve from the left. Only the server can score in singles too.
Example:
- Score is 3-2. You have 3, which is odd. Serve from the left.
- Win the point. Now 4-2. Move to the right to serve again.
If you are learning how to score in pickleball, start with singles footwork. The even-odd cue is easy to master.
Common score situations and how to fix them
You forget the server number. Stop the point before the serve. Check the last rally. The player who served last on your team keeps the server number count.
Someone served from the wrong side. If you catch it before the return of serve, fix it and replay the point. If it is after, follow the rules for correction and server position.
You called the wrong score. If no one returns the serve, recall the score and serve again. If the ball was in play, the rally stands.
The ball hit the net on the serve and landed in. Keep playing. There are no let serves now.
These quick fixes will save time and help you show you know how to score in pickleball the right way.
Rally scoring formats you may see
Some leagues use rally scoring. A point is won on every rally, by either team. You still rotate serve sides by even-odd.
Common rally formats include:
- Games to 15, win by 2.
- Games to 21, win by 2.
- Freeze rules near the end to favor the serving team.
Rally scoring is fast and great for tight schedules. Still, standard events use side-out scoring. Learn both, and you will never doubt how to score in pickleball, no matter the format.
Strategy to actually score more points
A strong serve helps, but aim for high first-serve rates. Place it deep, not just hard. Depth forces weak returns.
Hit deep returns to push servers back. That buys time for you to reach the kitchen. Then aim for a soft third shot drop to reset the point.
Pick safe targets. Middle is your friend. Cut errors first. That is the heart of how to score in pickleball against better players.
Use patterns that build pressure:
- Deep serve, deep return, soft third to kitchen.
- Third shot drive at the body, then a dink to the open space.
- Lobs only when wind and sun favor you.
In my first tournament, we won 11-9 twice by playing the same plan. Deep returns, patient dinks, and no hero shots on game points.
Practice drills and tools to track the score
Shadow call drill. Stand on the baseline and call the score aloud five times. Serve after each call. Switch sides each time you “score.”
0-0-2 start drill. Play mini-games to 5. Always start 0-0-2. Swap partners. This builds clean habits.
Live play cue. The person on the right touches the net with the paddle and says the score. It keeps both teams on the same page.
Tools that help:
- A wristband on server 1.
- A small clip scoreboard on the net post.
- A simple note on your paddle: “Right=Even. Left=Odd.”
If you are serious about how to score in pickleball under stress, practice score calls as much as serves.
Mistakes that cost you points
Wrong server or wrong receiver. Confirm positions before big points. Fix it fast when you spot it.
Foot faults on the serve. Keep both feet behind the line until the ball is struck.
Illegal serves. Contact must be below the waist. The paddle must move up. Use a clear upward swing.
Rushing the call. Always call the score before the serve. If your group agrees, call it twice on loud courts.
Avoid these traps and you will own how to score in pickleball without drama.
Frequently Asked Questions of how to score in pickleball
What does 0-0-2 mean in pickleball?
It is the start score in doubles. The first serving team begins as the second server to reduce the first-serve edge.
Do you have to win by 2 in pickleball?
Yes, standard games must be won by 2. If you are tied at 10-10, you play until someone leads by 2.
Can you score on a return of serve?
Not in standard side-out scoring. Only the serving team can score, even if the return team wins the rally.
How do I know if I serve from the right or left in singles?
Use the even-odd rule. Serve from the right when your score is even and from the left when it is odd.
What happens if the server calls the wrong score?
If no one returns the serve, correct the call and serve again. If the rally is played, the result stands and positions are corrected after.
Is rally scoring official in pickleball?
Some events and leagues use it, but most standard play uses side-out scoring. Always confirm the format before a match.
Conclusion
You now know how to score in pickleball, how to call it, and how to track server order. You also picked up fixes for common errors and simple ways to score more points. Keep your calls clear, aim for depth, and build points with smart shots.
Take this to the court today. Practice three score calls before every serve. Then play two games and focus on clean rotations. Ready to dive deeper? Subscribe for more guides, drills, and match tips.