How to Score Pickleball: Step-by-Step Guide (2025 Rules)

They play but don’t know which rules approved by USAPA need to be focused on. Figuring out how to score pickleball can feel tricky at first, especially with the updated 2025 rules, the optional rally scoring, and the nuances of doubles scoring rotation. Whether you’re a beginner learning pickleball scoring explained or a seasoned player wanting to refresh your knowledge, this guide walks you through how scoring works in pickleball, how many points to win, and exactly how to score a point in pickleball.

We’ll cover both the traditional side-out method and the new rally scoring option, explain the “002” scoring format, show you when to switch positions, and give a step-by-step method so you never lose track. Let’s get started, by the end, you’ll call scores with confidence.

Understanding Pickleball Scoring System: Explained

The scoring system in pickleball uses two main methods: traditional side-out scoring and the newer rally scoring option introduced in 2025. Pickleball scoring combines elements from tennis, badminton, and ping-pong but has its own unique rules.

• Side-out scoring, the most common system in recreational and tournament play, only the serving team can score points.
• Rally scoring, introduced recently, awards a point on every rally, regardless of which team serves. But the final point must still be won by the serving side. Verbal “not ready” calls and calling line outs on both opponents and partners are now required for fairer play.

Most matches use a win-by-2 rule and play to 11 points, though tournament formats may use 15 or 21. In doubles, scores are often announced as your team’s points/opponent’s points/server number (1 or 2). The starting score is commonly 0 0 2 to align with the first server’s position.

These rules align with the official 2025 manual published by USAPA.

How Do You Score in Pickleball

Scoring in pickleball can be straightforward once you understand the basics. The main goal is to get points in pickleball by winning rallies.

• In the traditional pickleball point system (side-out scoring), only the serving team can earn points.
• In the newer rally scoring method, a point is awarded on every rally, no matter who served.

You score points by winning the rally, that means your team successfully hits the ball so the opponents cannot return it within the rules.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Score Pickleball (Traditional & Rally)

Step 1: Decide Who Serves First

• Use a coin toss, rally, or mutual agreement to determine the first serving team.
• The starting server begins from the right (even) side of the court.
• In doubles traditional scoring, the first serving team starts with only one serve (Server #2), so the score is announced as 0-0-2.

Why 2? Because at the very beginning, the serving team only gets one server. If they fault, it’s side-out to the opponents, who then get two servers.

Step 2: Serve Legally

• Underhand only, contact below the waist.
• Two serve types (2025 legal):

1. Volley Serve – classic toss and hit.
2. Drop Serve – drop, bounce, then hit.

• Serve must be diagonal, landing inside the opponent’s service box, and cannot land in or touch the kitchen (non-volley zone) or its line.
• Only one serve attempt per rally (no second serves).
• Let serves (net contact but lands in the proper service box) are valid, and play continues.
• After the score is announced, the server has 10 seconds to begin the serve — otherwise it’s a fault.
• The server’s release must be visible to the referee or receiver; if not, a replay (let) may be called.

Using MAX5’s paddles like the MX-0.1 Carbon Paddle helps control spin during tricky serves, especially the drop serve.

Step 3: Follow the Two-Bounce Rule

• After the serve, the receiving team has to let the ball bounce once before returning it.
• Next, the serving team must also allow the ball to bounce one time before hitting it back.
• After those two bounces, players may volley (hit in the air), but not from inside or touching the kitchen (NVZ).
• Faults occur if this rule is violated.

Step 4: Scoring or Side-Out

In traditional side-out scoring (the most common system):

• The serving team can score points only when they win a rally. They continue serving or switch servers.
• If the serving team faults or loses a rally, no point is awarded, and the serve passes to the opponents (side-out).

In rally scoring (newer option):

• A point is scored after each rally, regardless of which team served.
• The final winning point must still be scored by the serving team.
• Always announce the full score clearly, for example: “5-3-1” (your team’s score, opponents’ score, server number).

Step 5: Rotation & the “002” System (Doubles)

• Start at 0-0-2 (Server #2).
• If Server #2 wins, call “1-0-2” and continue.
• When Server #2 faults, Server #1 on the same team serves (e.g., “1-0-1”).
• If Server #1 faults, side-out occurs, opponents serve at “0-1-2”.
• In rally scoring, some events simplify to one server per side-out, but check your rules.

If you track rotation with a clean paddle, use the MX Clean Pickleball Eraser to keep markings and surfaces spotless, which is available on MAX5

Step 6: Switching Sides & Positions

• In traditional scoring, teams switch sides only between games or set intervals.
• In rally scoring, teams may switch sides more frequently to maintain court alignment.
• Servers serve from the right side if their score is even, and the left side if odd.

Step 7: Winning the Game

• Reach the target points (usually 11) with a 2-point lead.
• In traditional scoring, the final point must be served by the winning team.
• In rally scoring, the final point is still served but points are earned every rally.

The player who starts the game as Server 1 has a slight advantage: they get to set the tone. But remember, which player starts the game is decided fairly, and the advantage evens out over matches.

Note: If you’re just getting into pickleball and reading the scoring guide has inspired you to grab a paddle and play with friends, take a minute to check out our simple guide on paddle materials — like carbon and fiberglass — so you can pick the one that feels just right for you.

How Many Points to Win Pickleball

• Standard Play: 11 points, win by 2
• Tournament variations: 15 or 21 points possible
• Even in rally scoring, the match-ending point still must be won by the serving side

Always confirm the rules before a match, especially if playing in a tournament or event using the 2025 updated rules.

Use the Right Ball

• MX Pro Pickleballs are designed for consistent bounce and true flight.
• One-piece seamless construction ensures fewer faults and more playable rallies

Common Scoring Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting the “002” start in doubles.
• Serving overhand or above the waist (illegal serve).
• Serving into the kitchen or hitting the kitchen line.
• Not following the two-bounce rule properly.
• Not switching server positions after points.
• Partner serving from the wrong position after a fault
• Miscalling the server number (1 or 2) in doubles.
• Confusing traditional and rally scoring rules during matches.
• Not announcing or tracking the full score clearly
• Misunderstanding new drop serve rules (paddle release only)

Conclusion

Learning how to score pickleball is easier than it looks, once you understand when points are awarded, how server rotation works, and how the “002” rule functions in doubles. Whether you’re using the traditional side-out system or the updated 2025 rally scoring, confidently tracking and calling the score will elevate your game.
MAX5 is built by real players who live the game, so we understand what matters on the court: accuracy, fairness, and focus. Keep these principles in mind, use quality gear like MAX5 paddles and balls, and scoring will become second nature.

Disclaimer:

This guide is for informational purposes only and reflects the 2025 official pickleball rules. All product mentions, specifications, and recommendations are accurate to the best of our knowledge; some images or descriptions may be illustrative or AI-generated.