How to Score in Singles

In singles pickleball, scoring is simpler than in doubles but still requires a good understanding of the game’s rules. Here's a detailed breakdown of how scoring works in singles pickleball:

Basic Overview:

• Only the server can score points.
• Games are typically played to 11 points, but you must win by 2 points (some tournaments may play to 15 or 21, but the win-by-2 rule remains).
• There is only one server in singles, unlike doubles, where each team has two servers before a side-out.

Scoring in Singles:

In singles, the player who is serving can score points if they win the rally. If the server loses the rally, the serve goes to the opponent (this is called a side-out), but no points are awarded to the receiving player. Points are only earned by the serving player.

Example:

• If the score is 5-3 in favor of the server, and the server wins the rally, they earn a point, making the score 6-3.
• If the server loses the rally, they do not lose any points, but their opponent gains the serve, and the score remains 5-3 until the next point is scored.

Serving and Positioning:

One of the key aspects of singles scoring is court positioning, which is determined by the server's score:

1. When the server's score is even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, etc.), the server serves from the right-hand side of the court.
2. When the server's score is odd (1, 3, 5, 7, etc.), the server serves from the left-hand side of the court.

The serve must always be made diagonally across the court to the opponent's service box, just like in doubles.

Example:

• If the server has a score of 6, they will serve from the right side of the court.
• If the server has a score of 5, they will serve from the left side of the court.

Winning Points and Switching Sides:

After a rally is won by the server:

• The server earns a point and switches sides of the court for the next serve.
• This ensures that each serve is made from the correct side based on whether the server's score is even or odd.

Example Scenario:

1. The score is 4-3, and the server is serving from the left-hand side (because 4 is even).
2. The server wins the rally, making the score 5-3. The server switches to the right-hand side (because 5 is odd) for the next serve.
3. The server wins the next rally again, bringing the score to 6-3. The server switches to the left-hand side (because 6 is even) for the next serve.

Side-Out:

A side-out happens when the server loses the rally. In singles, there is no second server, so the serve immediately switches to the opponent. The new server will serve from the side that corresponds to their own score (right if their score is even, left if their score is odd).

Example:

• If the score is 6-4 and the server loses the rally, the opponent takes over serving at 4. Because 4 is even, the new server will start from the right-hand side of the court.
• No points are awarded to the opponent when a side-out occurs; they must win their next rally to score.

Faults and Serves:

Just like in doubles, certain faults can occur during a serve that result in a side-out:

• Foot faults (stepping over the baseline or sideline before hitting the ball).
• Hitting the ball into the net.
• Hitting the ball out of bounds (outside the service box).
• Failing to clear the non-volley zone (kitchen) on the serve.

When any of these faults occur during a serve, the server loses their serve, and the serve is given to their opponent (side-out).

Summary of Key Points for Singles Scoring:

• Only the server can score. If the server wins the rally, they earn a point and continue serving. If they lose the rally, the opponent gains the serve.
• Switch sides of the court after winning a point, serving from the right side when the score is even and from the left side when the score is odd.
• Games are played to 11, and you must win by 2 points.
• A side-out occurs when the server loses the rally, and the opponent gains the serve but no points.

Example of a Singles Sequence:

1. Player A serves from the right-hand side with a score of 0-0.
   • Player A wins the rally and scores a point.
   • The score is now 1-0, and Player A switches to the left-hand side to serve.
2. Player A serves from the left-hand side.
   • Player A loses the rally. It’s a side-out, and Player B now serves.
   • The score remains 1-0, and Player B serves from the right-hand side (because their score is 0, an even number).
3. Player B serves, wins the rally, and scores a point.
   • The score is now 1-1, and Player B switches to the left-hand side to serve again.
4. Player B serves again from the left-hand side and wins another rally.
   • The score is now 2-1, and Player B switches to the right-hand side to serve.

This cycle continues until one player reaches 11 points (or more, depending on the game format) and wins by at least 2 points.

Once you grasp the concept of serving from the correct side based on your score and knowing that only the server can score, singles scoring becomes straightforward!