Pickleball · Doubles play · Game

Scoring and serving order in doubles

Walk through side-out scoring, the three-number score call and who serves next, then play a game calling every score aloud.

0-0-2A1A2B1B2
Start / 6
Time
15 min
Players
4–8
Age
U8+
Area
Full court
Equipment
4 pickleballspaddlesprotective eyewear

Setup

  1. Two pairs in doubles positions at opposite ends.
  2. Spare players stand clear of the court by the net post as score checkers and swap in after each game.

How it runs

  1. Explain: only the serving team scores. Games go to 11, and a team must win by 2.
  2. The score call has three numbers: the serving team's score, the receiving team's score, then the server number (1 or 2).
  3. The first serving team of the game gets only one server, so the opening call is '0-0-2'.
  4. When the serving team wins a rally, the server swaps sides with their partner and serves again from the other side.
  5. When server 1 loses a rally, their partner serves as server 2. When server 2 loses a rally, it is a side out, and the other team starts serving from the right-hand court.
  6. Walk it through at half pace, then play a full game with every score called before each serve. Some events use rally scoring or other formats: check your competition's rules.

Coaching points

  • Call the score clearly before every serve, so all four players hear and agree.
  • Only the serving pair changes sides, and only after winning a rally.
  • Quick check: when your team's score is even, the player who served first for your team should be on the right-hand side.
  • Receivers stay where they are until their team wins the serve back.

Common mistakes

  • Swapping sides after losing a rally.
  • Calling the receiving team's score first.
  • Forgetting the 0-0-2 start and giving the first team two servers.
  • The wrong partner serving first after a side out.

Say it: “Server score, receiver score, server number.”

Make it harder

  • Players run the game with no help; the score checkers stop play only for a wrong call.
  • Start games from scores such as '5-7-1' and have players set up in the right spots.

Make it easier

  • Walk through the positions with no ball first, calling each score.
  • Keep a flip scoreboard or written score by the net post.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.