In pickleball, there are two common scoring systems: rally scoring and traditional scoring. Let me explain both of them:
- Rally Scoring:
- In rally scoring, a point is awarded on every rally, regardless of which team serves.
- The serving team can win a point if the receiving team commits a fault (fails to return the ball properly).
- If the serving team wins the rally, they earn a point and continue serving.
- If the receiving team wins the rally, they earn a point and gain the right to serve.
- The serving team rotates sides after each point.
- Games are typically played to 11 points (or any predetermined number) and must be won by a margin of at least 2 points.
- Traditional Scoring:
- In traditional scoring, only the serving team can score points.
- The serving team must win the rally to earn a point. If they lose the rally, the receiving team does not score.
- The serving team continues to serve as long as they win rallies and accumulate points.
- When the serving team commits a fault or loses a rally, it results in a side out (loss of serve), and the opposing team gets the opportunity to serve.
- Games are often played to 11 or 15 points, with the serving team required to win by a margin of at least 2 points.
It's important to note that the specific scoring system may vary depending on the tournament, level of play, or personal preferences of the players. Some variations may include playing to a higher point total or implementing a win-by-2 rule at a specific point threshold.
Ultimately, whether you use rally scoring or traditional scoring, the objective is to reach the predetermined point total before the opposing team while maintaining a lead of at least 2 points.