Rally scoring has officially been added as a (provisional) rule in the USA Pickleball rulebook. Rally scoring has been provisionally approved as an optional format for both recreational play and USA Pickleball-sanctioned tournaments, for doubles round-robin and team play.
“While traditional scoring remains the official method, these new formats are a response to valuable player feedback,” said Mike Nealy, CEO of USA Pickleball. “Rally scoring, introduced under specific circumstances for tournament play only, is designed to create a more dynamic and engaging experience for both players and spectators. Guardrails and clear guidelines ensure this option complements — rather than replaces — traditional scoring, maintaining the integrity and flow of the game.”
Traditional side-out scoring is still the official method of scoring. Rally scoring is already provisionally approved for pickleball singles.
What is rally scoring?
Rally scoring is when the team who wins the point also wins the rally, whether or not their team served the ball.
Traditional scoring methods are still used for the end of the game, including:
- Only the serving team can score during the game point.
- The winning team must still win by two.
Rally scoring (Provisional Rule 4.G.1.)
- A point is scored by winning the rally, whether or not your team served.
- The game point is scored only when your team is serving.
Rally scoring during tournaments (Provisional Rule 12.B.1.)
- Each tournament director will have the option to use rally scoring or side-out scoring, during singles and doubles round-robins, team play, and singles double-elimination.
- Double-elimination is not a rally scoring option for doubles tournaments.
- All 2025 USAP Golden Ticket events and the 2025 USAP National Championships will use side-out scoring.
- All standard rules will still apply to rally scoring, except: As otherwise provided in the 2025 USA Pickleball Rulebook, and in Rules 4.B.3.a, 4.B.6, 4.B.6.c, 4.B.6.d, 4.B.6.e, 4.F.1, 4.G.1, and 4.J.1.
