Kids score in pickleball by calling three numbers: your score, their score, and your server number.
As a coach who has spent countless hours on the court with young players, I’ve seen the spark in their eyes when they hit a perfect dink. I’ve also seen the slight confusion when it’s time to call the score. It can seem like a secret code at first. But don't worry, I'm here to translate it for you. This guide will demystify the rules and make understanding the scoring in pickleball for kids a simple and even fun part of the game.
The Magic Three Numbers: Simplifying the Score Call
The most important part of pickleball scoring is the three-number call you make before every serve. Think of it as a quick status update for everyone on the court. It helps keep the game fair and organized, and once kids get it, they feel like true pros.
The call always follows a simple pattern:
- Your Team's Score
- The Other Team's Score
- Your Server Number (either 1 or 2)
So, if your team has 5 points, the other team has 3, and you are the first server for your team, you would call out, “Five, three, one!” This simple chant—"Me, You, Who"—can be a great memory trick for kids. "Our score, their score, who is serving now?"
Who Gets to Serve? Understanding Server Numbers 1 and 2
This is where pickleball scoring gets its unique twist. In doubles, each team has two servers. When your team gets the serve, the player on the right-hand side of the court is always Server 1. If that player's team scores a point, they switch sides with their partner and serve again.
They keep serving, switching sides after each point, until they lose a rally. When that happens, the serve doesn't go to the other team just yet. Instead, it goes to their partner, who becomes Server 2. Now it's their turn to serve until they lose a rally. Once Server 2 loses a rally, it’s called a "side out," and the serve finally goes to the other team. The only exception is the very first serve of the game; the starting team only gets one server to make it fair.
How Do You Score a Point in Pickleball? (The Golden Rule)
This is the golden rule of pickleball and the most important concept for kids to grasp. You can only score a point when your team is serving. That's it. If you win a rally when the other team is serving, you don’t get a point. Instead, you win the right to serve.
I like to explain it to kids like a video game. You only get to collect coins (points) when it's your turn. If you defeat the bad guy on someone else's turn, you just get the controller back. This simple analogy helps them understand why the score doesn't change every single time the ball goes over the net. Mastering this one rule is a huge step in learning the scoring in pickleball for kids.
Let's Play a Game: A Step-by-Step Scoring Example for Kids
Let's walk through the first few points of a game. Imagine two teams: Team Sunshine (Anna and Ben) and Team Rockets (Chloe and David).
- The game starts. The score is called “Zero, zero, two.” Team Sunshine serves first, but remember the first-server exception, so they only get one server this turn. Ben is on the right, so he serves.
- Team Sunshine wins the rally. Ben calls the new score: “One, zero, two.” He and Anna switch sides, and Ben serves again.
- This time, Team Rockets wins the rally. It’s a side out. No points are scored.
- The serve now goes to Team Rockets. Chloe is on the right side, so she is Server 1. She calls the score: “Zero, one, one.”
- Team Rockets wins the rally! Chloe calls the score: “One, one, one.” She and David switch sides, and she serves again.
- Team Rockets loses this rally. The serve now goes to her partner, David, who is Server 2. He calls the score: “One, one, two.”
- If David's team loses this rally, it is another side out, and the serve goes back to Team Sunshine.
This sequence shows how the server numbers and side outs work in a real game. Walking through it slowly on the court is the best way to teach the scoring in pickleball for kids.
Common Scoring Mix-Ups and How to Fix Them
Every young player makes mistakes with the score. It’s part of learning! As a coach, I’ve seen them all. Here are the most common mix-ups and some easy ways to help your child avoid them.
- Forgetting the Server Number: Kids often remember the game score but forget if they are Server 1 or 2. A fun tip is to have them give a quick "I'm first!" or "I'm second!" hand signal to their partner before serving.
- Not Knowing Who Serves Next: After a side out, kids can get confused about who on their team should serve. Remind them of a simple rule: whoever is on the right-hand side of the court when you get the serve back is always Server 1.
- Mixing Up the Score: Sometimes kids will call the opponent's score first. The "Me, You, Who" chant I mentioned earlier is a fantastic tool to drill the correct order into their heads.
The key is patience. Gently correct them and praise them when they get it right. Before long, calling the score will become second nature. Understanding the scoring in pickleball for kids just takes a little practice.
Making it Fun: Games to Practice Pickleball Scoring
The best way for kids to learn is by doing. Instead of just explaining the rules, turn the learning process into a game itself. These simple drills focus on the scoring in pickleball for kids and build confidence quickly.
- Score Caller King: Have one child stand on the sideline as the official "Score Caller." The other kids play a rally, and the Score Caller's only job is to announce the score correctly before the next serve. Rotate the Score Caller every few points.
- Serve and Say: In this drill, kids don't even need to play out the point. They just practice getting into the correct position, calling the score, and serving. This repetition builds muscle memory for both the physical and mental parts of the game.
- Mini-Game to 5: Play shorter games to 5 points instead of 11. This gives kids more opportunities to experience the start, middle, and end of a game, including multiple side outs and server changes, in a shorter amount of time.
Frequently Asked Questions of scoring in pickleball for kids
Why does the game start at 0-0-2?
The game starts with the score call 0-0-2 to be fair. It ensures the first team to serve only gets one server in their first service turn, so they don't have an unfair advantage of two servers right at the beginning.
What happens if a kid forgets the score?
It's no big deal! Just pause the game and have the players quickly recall the last score they remember. If no one is sure, you can replay the point.
Can kids play to a lower score than 11?
Absolutely! Playing games to 7 or even 5 is a great way to help kids practice the rules of scoring more frequently in a shorter period. It keeps them engaged and makes learning the scoring in pickleball for kids feel less overwhelming.
Do kids have to call the score before every serve?
Yes, the official rules state the server must call the complete score before serving. This keeps everyone on the court on the same page and helps prevent disagreements.
What is a "side out" in pickleball?
A side out is when one team loses its serve and the serve moves to the other team. In doubles, this happens after both Server 1 and Server 2 have had their turn and lost a rally.
Conclusion
Teaching the scoring in pickleball for kids doesn't have to be complicated. By breaking it down into the three magic numbers, explaining the golden rule of serving to score, and practicing with fun drills, you can turn confusion into confidence. Remember to be patient, keep it positive, and celebrate the small victories along the way. The most important thing is that they are having fun and learning to love the game.
Now that you have the tools, get out on the court and start practicing! What are your favorite tips for making pickleball fun for kids? Share them in the comments below