Pickleball is fast, fun, and addictive. It’s also full of unexpected twists. Most players work on perfecting their serve, improving their dinks, or mastering the third-shot drop. But there’s one skill people often ignore and it’s just as important: keeping track of the score.
Believe it or not, even advanced players, yes, even pros make scoring mistakes that cost them valuable points. Let’s dig into why scoring can get confusing and how you can avoid these mistakes to stay ahead in every game.
Pickleball Scoring 101
Before we talk about the mistakes, let’s quickly understand how scoring works in pickleball:
- Only the serving team can score.
- The score in doubles is three numbers, like 6-4-2:
- First number: Server’s score
- Second number: Opponent’s score
- Third number: Server number (either 1 or 2)
Simple enough… until you’re in the middle of a rally, the pressure is on, and you lose track of who’s serving!
1. Serving from the Wrong Side
This is the most common mistake and pros do it too! If your score is even, you serve from the right. If it’s odd, you serve from the left. But when you’re deep into the game, it’s easy to get this wrong.
Example: You just won a point and your score is now 5. You forget it’s odd and serve from the right. Oops, that’s a fault!
Fix: Always say the score out loud and match it to your position before you serve.
2. Messing Up the 3-Number Scoring System
Many players forget what that third number means. The third number tells you who is serving server 1 or server 2.
Example: You call out the score as “5-4-1” but then your partner steps up to serve when they are actually the second server.
Fix: Use a simple memory trick:
- First number: Your points
- Second: Opponent’s
- Third: Who’s serving (1 or 2)
Say it clearly each time. It becomes easier with repetition.
3. Not Switching Sides After a Point
This mistake usually happens when players are tired or distracted. If your team scores a point, the server moves to the other side. But pros sometimes forget and stay in the same spot especially during long rallies.
Fix: Make switching sides a habit. If you score, move. Don’t think, just do it like a reflex.
4. Miscommunication in Doubles
Pickleball is a team sport, so talking is key! But in the heat of the game, pros sometimes forget to confirm the score or who serves next.
Example: Two partners disagree on the next server. The confusion leads to delay, frustration, and sometimes a penalty.
Fix: Before every serve, quickly confirm the score and server in clear language. Even a simple, “I’m serving, score is 4-3-2,” can prevent confusion.
5. Calling the Score Too Fast or Softly
Some players rush through the score or mumble it. In official play, this can invalidate the serve. Players must call out the score loud and clear before serving.
Fix: Pause. Call the score slowly, clearly, and with confidence. It’s not just a formality, it keeps the game fair and focused.
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