Nothing generates a retreat to one’s own philosophical corner in pickleball like the ball debate or rally scoring. For both topics, opinions are plentiful – and, like politics, one is not likely to change the mind of another.
What is Rally Scoring in Pickleball and how does it Compare to Traditional Scoring?
In traditional pickleball scoring, the serving team is the only team awarded a point if they win the rally. The non-serving team, by winning the rally, can only force the second player to serve – or force a side-out if both players have served. They are not awarded a point.
In rally scoring, a point is awarded to whichever team wins the rally – be it the serving team or the non-serving team.
When traditional scoring is used, games are usually played to 11 points. In rally scoring, because a point is always awarded at the end of each rally, games are generally played to a higher score — usually to 15 points.
Potential Benefits of Rally Scoring
Tweet ThisThis may be particularly beneficial for the local Y or Community Center where people are sidelined and waiting for long periods of time to play.
In addition to quicker games, rally scoring also results in much more consistent and predictable game durations. Even in a “shortened” traditional game to 7 points, the game duration could vary significantly — from 5-minutes to 20 minutes – depending on the number and frequency of side-outs. In a rally scoring game to 15 (win by 1 point), the game duration is guaranteed to range from 15 rallies to 29 rallies – resulting in a much more predictable time for the game to be played.
Nuts & Bolts of Rally Scoring
So, exactly how is rally scoring played? Glad you asked.
Firstly, it’s important to remember that, similar to traditional scoring, the only time one rotates court positions with his/her partner is when you win a point on your serve. At all other times, you do not change court positions with your partner. This represents zero change.
As such, one only announces 2 numbers (not 3 numbers) when calling the score (serving team’s score first, non-serving team’s score second).
The serve will be made from the right side (from the player positioned on the right side) if the serving team’s score is even and from the left side (from the player positioned on the left side) if their score is odd – identical logic to that of singles in pickleball. Rest assured, both players will get a chance to serve during the game — just not immediately after your partner serves.
If the serving team wins the rally, they score a point and the partners from the serving team rotate court positions. If the serving team loses the rally, the serve goes to the other side. Remember, there is no second server in rally scoring. The other team will then serve from the right court if their score is even or from the left court if their score is odd (again, similar to how it is done when playing singles in pickleball).
Where in the “Official” Pickleball Rulebook is Rally Scoring Referenced?
You may be thinking, “Quick, Show me the rule that mentions rally scoring.” Nowhere is rally scoring referenced in the “Official” Pickleball Rulebook. And that’s the crux of the debate. Rally scoring naysayers will insist that the founding fathers meant for pickeball to be played “as-is” and forevermore. Furthermore, they would say that changing the scoring would change strategy, and, consequently, negatively impact the integrity of the game.
Personally, I’m not sure either represents an air-tight argument – although I definitely see their point and appreciate their passion. Most sports have evolved over time – to factor in nuances in scoring as well as to speed up the games for practical purposes.
Sports [and Scoring] have Evolved over Time
Both badminton and volleyball, for example, have evolved over the last couple of decades to incorporate rally scoring. Tennis has noticeably changed as well – and they have done so recently to, ironically, speed up the matches. The All-England Lawn Tennis Club — which hosts Wimbledon — is introducing a final-set tiebreaker beginning in 2019 when the final set is knotted at 12-games. This year the Australian Open matches were decided by a first-to-10-points tie-break at 6-6 in the final set. No longer will we be seeing a 70-68 5th set at Wimbledon.
Tennis also has experimented with no-ad scoring and 8 or 9 game pro sets over the years at the amateur level. All changes, I’m certain, required an adjustment in strategy. In my opinion, tennis should be applauded for trying new things.
So I’m not sure prohibiting pickleball scoring experimentation – particularly at crowded venues – is entirely healthy.
I look forward to hearing your feedback. What say you? While I don’t think we should change it everywhere, I do think various venues could benefit from a modification to the rules. Does rally scoring at least have a seat at the pickleball table in some instances?
See you on the courts!
I understand the controversy over rally scoring — both sides. My comment/question is about the rally format you suggest with only one partner serving per side out and each side out starting serve like in Pickleball singles (odd score on add court, even on deuce). To me that guarantees only the same person keeps serving on each team? You have to have each partner serve per side out but also start the serve like singles scoring. This guarantees that each side out starts with the person on the team that did not serve their last service rally — in other words, guarantees the serve switches every time.
Hi Robin, Which partner is serving is dependent upon the serving team’s score (just like singles). Because the serving partners will still rotate only if they win a point on their serve (and not anytime else), it guarantees alternate server.
For example, assume you are the first server of the rally scoring game. As the first server, you are serving from the even side. Assume you win 2 points as the serving team. Because you rotated twice with your partner (because you won 2 points on your serve) you remain on the even side. Now the other team serves (and scores however many points they can) and you eventually win the rally. In rally scoring you win the point when you win the rally as the receiving team. Your team now have 3 points and are once again the serving team. Because your team has an odd number of points (3), the person on the left serves — your partner.
As another example, assume you are the first server of the game. As the first server, you are serving from the even side. Assume you win 3 points as the serving team. Because you rotated three times with your partner (because you won 3 points on your serve) you are now positioned on the odd side. Now the other team serves (and scores however many points they can) and you eventually win the rally. In rally scoring you win the point when you win the rally as the receiving team. Your team now have 4 points and are now the serving team. Because your team has an even number of points (4), the person on the right serves — your partner.
Hope this helps!
Hi,
Squash went through this years ago and rally point scoring won out, for all the reason you mentioned, but primarily to speed up the game and provide for a more attacking style. Without the serve, players often took a very defensive wait-and-see attitude, that had the effect of slowing down the game significantly. Game time at the professional level is now up to 50% shorter and rallies are more exciting. I personally think rally scoring would help our game.
Incidentally, in doubles squash, each player serves whether a point is won or lost and this format has held since the game was created in Philadelphia over 100 years ago.
Hi Peter, Thank you so much for chiming in. Great insight.
Looking forward to trying rally scoring,
Thanks for the tip,
Thanks for chiming in, Tod. Let me know how it goes when you get the opportunity to use rally scoring.
Some interesting nuances are surfacing at our indoor, half-gym rec center when “Rally” scoring is being used as crowds grow. First off, a sort of modified rally is being used as we still have each player serve when the ball comes to their side. As we have no practice sessions, just open play, our play is our practice. With rally scoring I find myself less willing to attempt new shot variations which I willingly do when my team is serving. I think the rally system stifles creativity a bit. Another thing I have noticed is that players are less willing to take on beginners for partners as their mistakes seem more glaring when every point marches to 15. As is probably the norm, the rec center staff seems oblivious to the plight of Pickleball competitors. They set up nets and go away. Perhaps expanding hours for play, having a set time for beginners/advanced, and seeking a way to expand court availability should be on the minds of rec coordinators as interest in this wonderful sport for all ages is going to ever increase, not dry up and blow away.
Great comments, George. I appreciate the time you spent jotting these down here. Have a great rest-of-the-week!
Hey Maxie (see what I did there) I have experimented with the rally scoring and have even done some community tournaments. We have done a 29 serve format (games to 15 not winning by 2) and games with 25 serves (13 points wins.) Outside of getting the players to understand the scoring at first, this format ensures about a 7 minute game and is very exciting. Every serve, every smash and every mistake brings a point and a lot of pressure on the players. Isn’t that what it’s all about?? Keep living THE PICKLEBALL LIFE (available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music) and always PADDLE UP! Miguel
Hi Miguel, I do, indeed, see what you did there. Thanks for chiming in. I also like the “guaranteed” 7-minute games.
I know with traditional scoring the score quite often gets forgotten and sometimes even who is supposed to serve is forgotten. I see rally scoring is just two numbers to remember, and the server seems more easily to know. So which do you think is the easiest system to remember?
Hi Brian, With rally scoring one does need to remember the following:
This is easy — just have to remember this. Sometimes easier said than done!
I’m all for rally scoring, the sooner the better. I think this makes for even more exciting games as every rally won by either side earns a point, as should be the case, just like it is in badminton. Even if the scoring is increased to 21 points, the game would still be completed in a fairly short time.
Thanks, Mark, for your opinion. Appreciate the feedback!