Pickleball 101: Understanding The Scoring System And Rules

Pickleball might look like a mix of tennis, ping pong, and badminton at first glance, but once you step onto the court, it quickly reveals its own rhythm and flow. What makes it so enjoyable, especially for beginners, is that you don’t need a ton of experience to get started. That said, understanding the basic rules and how scoring works can go a long way toward making the game more fun and less confusing, especially in doubles matches where things can move pretty quickly.

The rules of pickleball are simple once you get a feel for them, but they do have a few quirks that set the game apart. That includes how you serve, how points are scored, where you’re allowed to stand during volleys, and how the serve rotates between players. Getting familiar with these basics is one of the best ways to build confidence and jump into a game with less hesitation. Whether you’re trying it for the first time or just brushing up before your next match, understanding the rules makes a big difference in how you experience the sport.

Getting A Feel For The Court And The Flow

The pickleball court is smaller than a tennis court, which makes for faster rallies and more interaction between players. It’s split into two sides with a centerline and a net in the middle. One area that causes a lot of confusion for beginners is the non-volley zone, also known as the kitchen. This is the seven-foot section on either side of the net where players aren’t allowed to hit a volley—meaning, hitting the ball out of the air before it bounces—while standing inside it. You can step into the kitchen, and you can hit a ball that bounces in it, but you can’t stand in it and hit the ball out of the air. That rule might seem strange at first, but it’s designed to prevent players from camping at the net and slamming every return. It keeps the rallies more strategic and gives everyone a chance to react.

When a point begins, the serve has to be made underhand and struck below the waist, sending the ball diagonally across the net into the opposite service box. After the serve, the ball needs to bounce once on the receiving side and once again on the serving side before either team can start volleying. This two-bounce rule helps both sides have time to get into position and evens out the pace of the early rally. Once that’s out of the way, players can either let the ball bounce or hit it out of the air—as long as they’re not standing in the kitchen.

Where players stand and move during a point depends a lot on the flow of the rally. Doubles teams typically try to get both players up near the non-volley line after the serve to control the middle and play from an aggressive position. Singles play is more demanding in terms of court coverage, and it has a different rhythm, but the rules about where you serve and how you keep score stay the same.

Making Sense Of Scoring And Serve Rotation

One thing that surprises most new players is that you can’t score a point unless you’re the team that’s serving. This rule keeps things interesting, as a team can play great defense and still not affect the score until they earn a chance to serve. Points are scored when the receiving team commits a fault—like hitting the ball out, into the net, or violating the kitchen rule—and the serving team gets one point. Most recreational games are played to 11 points, and the winning team needs to be ahead by at least two points to end the game.

The way the score is called out during doubles is another point of confusion at first, but it becomes second nature with a little repetition. The three-part score includes the serving team’s score first, followed by the receiving team’s score, and finally the server number—either one or two. Each team gets two chances to serve before the serve passes to the opposing side, except at the beginning of the game when the first team only has one server. The idea is to keep things fair by rotating service opportunities and limiting scoring streaks.

As an example, if the score is “3-1-2,” it means the serving team has three points, the receiving team has one, and it’s the second server’s turn. If the serving team commits a fault, the ball goes to the next team. The serve rotates in a specific pattern—diagonally across the court—and servers switch sides each time they win a point. It can take a few games to fully grasp, but once it clicks, the system is actually pretty logical and helps keep the action structured.

Another key rule is that the ball must land inbounds to be valid. The lines surrounding the court are considered in, except for the baseline on a serve, where landing on the line is considered out. Players also can’t touch the net during play or reach over it to strike the ball unless it has bounced back on its own due to spin or wind. These little details are worth learning early, as they can make or break a rally and shift momentum quickly.

Learning The Rhythm Of The Game

Pickleball rewards patience, quick reactions, and smart placement far more than brute strength. Even players who are new to racquet sports find they can hold their own if they keep the ball in play and avoid overcommitting. The game’s tempo is faster than many expect, and that’s part of the fun—short bursts of movement, fast hands at the net, and an ongoing back-and-forth that makes matches feel competitive and upbeat.

One of the most helpful things for beginners to focus on early is consistency. That means aiming for solid contact, keeping the ball in bounds, and getting used to how the ball bounces on the court surface. Unlike tennis, pickleballs don’t bounce as high or travel as fast. This creates a unique style of play that mixes quick exchanges with sudden slow shots, and learning how to adjust between the two adds a lot of depth to the experience.

Communication is another major part of the game, especially in doubles. Talking with your partner, calling out shots, and deciding who’s going for which ball are small things that help avoid confusion. It’s not unusual for two people to go for the same shot—or for neither to go at all—especially when starting out. As you get more comfortable, those moments turn into laughter rather than frustration, and that’s one of the reasons so many people stick with the game after trying it.

At The Pickle Jar, we’ve created a space where beginners, casual players, and competitive enthusiasts can come together and enjoy the game. Whether you’re picking up a paddle for the first time or coming back after years away from sports, understanding how pickleball works is the first step to getting the most out of your time on the court. If you're curious about learning more or want to get in on a few matches, contact us today at The Pickle Jar.