Provisional Approval of Rally Scoring: Provisional rules for rally scoring for singles have been approved by the USA Pickleball Board of Directors, effective May 1, 2024. Please read the information below on pickleball rally scoring:
What is Singles Rally Scoring?
Rally Scoring is a substitute scoring system that can be used during singles play. Pickleball rally scoring has been gaining popularity due to the risk-reward style of play. Conventional side-out scoring is still in effect.
By USA Pickleball granting temporary approval for Rally Scoring, it simply gives players and tournaments an advantage to use this option. The key difference between Rally Scoring and Conventional Side-Out Scoring is in the point allocation method.
With Rally Scoring, a point is awarded after each rally, whether it is won by the server or the receiver. In contrast, with Conventional Side-Out Scoring, a side-out happens if the server loses the rally, and the opponent serves the next rally without any change in the score from the previous rally.
What Does Rally Scoring Mean
For those who still want to know “what is rally scoring in pickleball”, rally scoring is a scoring system where every rally results in a point, regardless of which team served. The one exception is the last point – only the team serving the ball can score a point off the serve.
How Does It Work?
The game starts with the first serve from the right (even) side of the court unless a Technical Foul is called. The initial score is 0-0. If the server wins the rally, the score becomes 1-0, and the next serve is from the left (odd) side. This pattern continues: even scores serve from the right, and odd scores from the left.
When the receiver wins a rally, they earn a point and a side-out, serving from the side based on their new score (even is right, odd is left). Notably, if the receiver wins the first rally, they will serve from the left with a score of 1. Points are assigned after each rally, and players position themselves according to the server’s score for the next serve.
Does this apply to Mini Singles too?
Yes, Rally Scoring may be used in Mini Singles.
What is Win on Your Serve?
A game can only end if the server wins the rally. For instance, if the game is played to 11 points and the server, at 10 points, wins the rally, they win the game if the opponent has 9 points or less.
If the receiver has 10 points and wins the rally, it becomes a side-out, and they will serve next at 10 points, aiming for 11. A player cannot win the game due to their opponent’s service loss.
What is Win by 2 Points?
To win a game, a player must have a two-point lead over their opponent. In Rally Scoring, if the game is tied, a point is still awarded after each rally. For example, if the score is 9-9 and the server wins the rally, it becomes 10-9.
The server must then win the next rally to win the game 11-9. If the server loses, the score ties at 10-10, and the receiver gains the serve. This continues until a player secures a two-point margin to win.
The following revisions to the 2024 Official Rulebook reflect the Board’s action:
12.B.1 (Provisional Rule) Rally Scoring Option – Singles. The Tournament Director shall have the option to use rally scoring for singles brackets only. Rally scoring singles shall be played according to the same rules as singles except as otherwise provided herein.
12.B.1.a Game Scoring Format. Game scoring shall be to 11, 15, or 21 points. Matches may consist of one game, best two of three games, or best three of five games. For inclement weather considerations, the Tournament Director may approve game scoring to 7 points, with an end change at 4 points in a single-game match or in the tiebreaker game of a multiple-game match.
12.B.1.b Point Scoring. A point is scored by the player that wins a rally, except as provided for in 12.B.1.c.
12.B.1.c Scoring the Game-Winning Point. The game-winning point can only be scored by the serving player. When a player is at game point and the opponent serves and loses the rally, it is a side out and no point is awarded.
REVISE CURRENT RULES TO CORRELATE WITH THE PROVISIONAL RALLY SCORING OPTION:
Section 1 – The Game. Change the 3rd paragraph to read:
Points are scored only by the serving side when the server or the server’s team wins the rally, or the opposing side commits a fault. The server continues to serve, alternating service courts, until the serving side loses the rally or commits a fault. For singles matches that use the provisional rally scoring option, a point is scored by the side that wins each rally except game point can only be scored when serving.
4.F Scoring. A singles player or doubles team scores points only when serving. Points may also be awarded when technical fouls are called against the opposing side and their score is 0.
4.F.1 (Provisional Rule) Rally Scoring Option. A singles player scores a point for each rally won except game point is scored only when serving.
4.G Points. A point is scored by serving the ball and winning the rally.
4.G.1 (Provisional Rule) Rally Scoring Option. A point is scored by winning the rally except game point is scored only when serving.
Reference
Provisional Approval of Rally Scoring For Singles
