{"Status":true,"Message":"","Response":{"post":{"postuid":"28697be3-cab9-4902-94c4-92b97d938398","tenantuid":"45a0010e-ec76-43e9-9914-4376bfa80903","projectuid":"4025e8c9-71ea-4557-850d-662c78598919","title":"How to Call the Score in Pickleball: A Simple Guide","slug":"article/how-to-call-the-score-in-pickleball-a-simple-guide","html":"\u003Cp\u003ETo call the score in pickleball, say three numbers before every serve in doubles \u2014 the serving team\u0027s score, the receiving team\u0027s score, and the server number (1 or 2) \u2014 or two numbers in singles, with no server number needed. The score should be called clearly and loudly enough for everyone on the court to hear before the serve.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022calling_the_score_in_doubles\u0022\u003ECalling the Score in Doubles\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDoubles scoring uses three numbers, always in this order: the serving team\u0027s score, the receiving team\u0027s score, then the server number.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFirst number:\u003C/b\u003E The serving team\u0027s current score.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESecond number:\u003C/b\u003E The receiving team\u0027s current score.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EThird number:\u003C/b\u003E Which server is currently serving for the serving team \u2014 either 1 or 2.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, \u00224-3-2\u0022 means the serving team has 4 points, the receiving team has 3 points, and the second server on the serving team is currently serving. Every game begins with the score \u00220-0-2\u0022 \u2014 a special exception where the first serving team only gets one server before a side-out, signaled by starting directly at server number 2.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022calling_the_score_in_singles\u0022\u003ECalling the Score in Singles\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESingles scoring is simpler \u2014 just two numbers, with no server number needed since there\u0027s only one player per side. Call the server\u0027s score first, then the receiver\u0027s score. For example, \u00225-3\u0022 means the server has 5 points and the receiver has 3.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ccite class=\u0022recommended\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022title\u0022\u003ENote\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlways call the score before every single serve, not just at the start of a game or after a side-out. This keeps everyone on the court \u2014 players, partners, and spectators \u2014 aligned on the current score and helps prevent disputes later in the game.\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/cite\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022common_mistakes_when_calling_the_score\u0022\u003ECommon Mistakes When Calling the Score\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EForgetting the server number in doubles:\u003C/b\u003E Calling only two numbers in a doubles game leaves out essential information about which server is up.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalling the score in the wrong order:\u003C/b\u003E The serving team\u0027s score always comes first, regardless of which team has the higher score.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalling it too quietly:\u003C/b\u003E The whole point of calling the score is so everyone on the court hears it \u2014 mumbling defeats the purpose.\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EForgetting to call it at all:\u003C/b\u003E Especially in casual play, players sometimes skip calling the score on quick consecutive serves, which can lead to confusion or disputes later.\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022frequently_asked_questions\u0022\u003EFrequently Asked Questions\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u0022who_is_responsible_for_calling_the_score\u0022\u003EWho is responsible for calling the score?\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe server is generally responsible for calling the score before serving, though in casual or recreational play, any player on the court may call it if the server forgets. In sanctioned play with a referee, the referee may call the score instead.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\u0022what_happens_if_the_score_is_called_incorrectly\u0022\u003EWhat happens if the score is called incorrectly?\u003C/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf a score is called incorrectly and the rally proceeds, most recreational rules allow players to pause and correct the score by mutual agreement once noticed. In sanctioned or referee-officiated play, there are typically more formal procedures for resolving score disputes.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\u0022related_articles\u0022\u003ERelated Articles\u003C/h2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/pickleball-scoring-explained-traditional-and-rally-scoring-guide\u0022\u003EPickleball Scoring Explained: Traditional and Rally Scoring Guide\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://pickleball.com/docs/en/article/rally-scoring-vs-traditional-scoring-in-pickleball\u0022\u003ERally Scoring vs Traditional Scoring in Pickleball\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\u003C/ul\u003E\u003Chr\u003E\u003Cp\u003EQuestions about pickleball scoring? Email \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:support@pickleball.com\u0022\u003Esupport@pickleball.com\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E","publish_status":0,"post_type":"Article","authoruid":"42b786ed-5ff2-467c-9593-d828908ee6d2","author":{"authoruid":"42b786ed-5ff2-467c-9593-d828908ee6d2","name":"Christy Cook","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/christy-cook-texas/","photo_url":"https://graffiti-auf7e6dwhxhcbwek.z03.azurefd.net/45a0010e-ec76-43e9-9914-4376bfa80903/4025e8c9-71ea-4557-850d-662c78598919/4fd2cf59-047a-4a00-8a6d-2d9c6c9f91fe.jpg?v=1114665229","linkedin_url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/christy-cook-texas/"},"featured_image_updating":false,"meta_description":"Learn how to correctly call scores in pickleball for doubles and singles, avoid common mistakes, and ensure clear, consistent calls before every serve.","keywords":"score calling; doubles scoring; singles scoring; server number; serving team; receiving team; score order; calling score loudly; score disputes; referee","display_toc":true,"has_workingcopy":false,"allow_indexing":true,"total_views":11,"date_stale":"2027-06-04T00:00:00","date_published":"2026-06-30T16:51:01.18","date_updated":"2026-06-30T16:51:01.19","date_created":"2026-06-30T16:44:08.54"}}}