Mastering the Basics: How to Serve and Keep Score in Pickleball

Pickleball is a fun, fast-paced game that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Whether you're new to the game or looking to refine your skills, understanding how to serve and how to keep score are two of the most important aspects. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about serving and scoring in pickleball, so you can step onto the court with confidence.

How to Serve in Pickleball

Serving is a crucial part of pickleball, and it's important to follow the proper rules to avoid faults. Here’s how to serve in pickleball:

1. Underhand Serve: The serve must be made underhand, with the paddle making contact with the ball below the server's waist. The serve cannot be hit overhand like in tennis.
2. Feet Position: When serving, at least one foot must be behind the baseline. You are not allowed to step into the court until after the ball is hit.
3. Diagonal Target: The serve must travel diagonally across the court, landing in the opposite service box. If it lands outside the box, it's considered a fault.
4. One Attempt: In pickleball, you only get one attempt to serve. If your serve hits the net or lands out of bounds, it's a fault, and the serve goes to your opponent.
5. Let Rule: If the ball touches the net but lands in the correct service area, it is called a “let,” and the serve is replayed without a penalty.

How to Keep Score in Pickleball

Pickleball scoring may seem tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s quite simple. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to keep score in pickleball:

1. Starting the Game: The game is played to 11 points, and you must win by at least 2 points. Only the serving team can score points.

2. Calling the Score: The score is always called out in three numbers:

   • The serving team's score.
   • The receiving team's score.
   • The server number (1 or 2).

   For example, if the score is 5-3-1, it means the serving team has 5 points, the receiving team has 3 points, and it's the first server's turn.

3. Side Outs: If the serving team loses a rally, the serve passes to the second server. If the second server also loses the rally, it's called a “side out,” and the serve moves to the other team.

4. Winning the Game: The first team to reach 11 points wins, as long as they lead by 2 points. If the game is tied at 10-10, play continues until one team has a 2-point lead.

How to Score in Pickleball

To score in pickleball, you must be serving. When the serving team wins a rally by either forcing the opposing team to hit the ball out of bounds or into the net, they score a point. Here’s how scoring works:

1. Only the Serving Team Scores: Unlike tennis or badminton, points in pickleball can only be scored by the serving team.
2. Rotating Servers: When a point is scored, the serving team switches places with their partner and continues to serve.
3. Change of Serve: If the serving team faults, the serve moves to the second server. If they fault as well, the serve goes to the opposing team.

Pickleball is a game of skill and strategy, and mastering the serve and scorekeeping is essential to success on the court. By following these rules for serving and scoring, you’ll be able to improve your game and enjoy the fun, fast-paced nature of pickleball.