Rally Blog

How scoring actually works, what the rulebook says about the kitchen, and the faults that decide most rec games.

how to keep score in pickleball

How Do You Keep Score in Pickleball?

Only the serving team scores. Games go to 11, win by two. The server calls three numbers: their score, the opponents' score, and whether they are first or second server.

Read the guide → July 29, 2026
what does 0-0-2 mean

What Does 0-0-2 Mean in Pickleball?

It is the opening doubles score: zero each, second server. The team serving first gets one serving turn instead of two, removing the advantage of starting.

Read the guide → July 22, 2026
pickleball kitchen rule

What Is the Kitchen in Pickleball?

The kitchen is the 7-foot non-volley zone either side of the net. Standing in it is legal; volleying while touching it, or falling in from momentum, is a fault.

Read the guide → July 15, 2026
rally scoring pickleball

What Is Rally Scoring in Pickleball?

Rally scoring awards a point on every rally rather than only on serve. The 2026 USA Pickleball rulebook formalises it as an option, excluded from Nationals and Golden Ticket events.

Read the guide → July 8, 2026
pickleball rules for beginners

What Are the Basic Rules of Pickleball?

Serve underhand and diagonally, obey the two-bounce rule, stay out of the non-volley zone when volleying, and score only on serve. Games go to 11, win by two.

Read the guide → July 1, 2026
pickleball singles scoring

How Does Singles Scoring Differ From Doubles?

Singles uses a two-number call and the server's own score decides their side: even from the right, odd from the left. Doubles adds the server number and partner rotation.

Read the guide → June 24, 2026
pickleball faults

What Are the Most Common Pickleball Faults?

Volleying from the non-volley zone, breaking the two-bounce rule, serving into the wrong court and touching the net account for most faults in recreational play.

Read the guide → June 17, 2026
how long does a pickleball game last

How Long Does a Pickleball Game Last?

A recreational game to 11 runs 15 to 25 minutes and a best-of-three match 45 minutes to an hour. Side-out scoring makes duration inherently unpredictable.

Read the guide → June 10, 2026
two bounce rule

What Is the Two-Bounce Rule in Pickleball?

The serve must bounce and the return must bounce before anyone volleys. It removes the serve-and-volley advantage and created the third shot drop.

Read the guide → June 3, 2026