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Pickleball is rapidly growing in popularity, attracting players of all ages and skill levels. If you’re new to the game, understanding the scoring rules is essential to enjoy playing and competing fairly. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of pickleball scoring for beginners on BigMikeSports.com.
Basic Scoring Rules in Pickleball
In pickleball, points are scored only by the serving team. The game is typically played to 11 points, and a team must win by at least 2 points. If the score reaches 10-10, play continues until one team leads by 2 points.
How to Serve and Score
The server must stand behind the baseline and serve diagonally to the opponent’s service court. The serve must be underhand and hit below the waist. Only one serve attempt is allowed unless the ball touches the net on the serve and still lands in the correct service area (known as a “let” serve).
Points are awarded when the opposing team fails to return the ball properly, commits a fault, or violates a rule. The serving team continues to serve as long as they keep winning points. After scoring, the server switches sides, and the process repeats.
Understanding the Serving Sequence
In doubles play, the serving sequence is as follows:
- The first server of the game serves from the right side when their score is even and from the left side when odd.
- The serve is made until the serving team commits a fault, then the serve switches to the opposing team.
- Each player on a team gets a chance to serve before the serve switches to the opponents, except at the start of the game where only one player serves initially.
Faults and Violations
Common faults include:
- Hitting the ball out of bounds
- Failing to clear the net
- Serving illegally (e.g., overhand, not underhand, or not diagonally)
- Stepping into the non-volley zone (the kitchen) when volleying the ball
Summary
Understanding the scoring rules in pickleball helps new players enjoy the game and play confidently. Remember, only the serving team can score points, and proper serving technique is crucial. Keep practicing these rules, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a skilled pickleball player!