SUGGESTED USA PICKLEBALL RULE CHANGES FOR 2024

Rule Change Process | Submit A Rule Change

Rule Submission TitleRally Scoring for Singles (and Doubles)
Existing Rule #4.F - 4.G
Proposed Rule Change

4.F. Scoring.

4.F.1. Traditional Scoring. A singles player or doubles team scores points only when serving. A point is scored by serving the ball and winning the rally.

4.F.2. Rally Scoring for Singles. A singles player scores a point for winning a rally whether serving or receiving.

(Optional Consideration) 4.F.3. Rally Scoring for Doubles. A doubles team scores a point for winning a rally whether serving or receiving. The server and receiver must position according to their team's score. If the receiving team scores a point, the receiver will change sides to correspond to the team's score and will continue to be the correct receiver for the second serve.

4.F.4. Penalty Scoring. A point will be awarded to a singles player or doubles team when a technical foul is assessed against the opposing side and their score is 0.

Original Rule Text

4.F. Scoring. A singles player or doubles team scores points only when serving. Points may also be awarded when technical fouls are called against the opposing side and their score is 0.
4.G. Points. A point is scored by serving the ball and winning the rally.

Reasoning Behind Suggested Change

This proposal is submitted primarily to suggest rally scoring for singles. Rally scoring allows a point to be awarded for every rally played, significantly reducing the number of side outs that can be experienced in a singles game. Singles play is more physically demanding on players than doubles play. Rally scoring for singles would result in shorter match times and allow those players playing multiple events during a tournament to conserve more energy for their other events. It would also eliminate the monotony that can be experienced by officials, players, and spectators when traditional scoring is used and there are many rallies played without the server scoring.

However, if rally scoring is being considered as an approved option for doubles play in 2024, please consider the version proposed in 4.F.3 above, which retains the features of: (1) two servers for each team's service rotation (except at the start of a game) and (2) correct positioning for the server and receiver corresponds to the team's score (players change position when a point is scored by their team).

Scenarios In Which the Rules Applies

If singles players alternate scoring 1 point to a score of 9-9 using traditional scoring, it takes 35 or 36 rallies. To alternate scoring 1 point to a score of 9-9 using rally scoring, 18 rallies are played.

Rule Book Year2024
Rule Change ID1214
Date CreatedMay 15, 2023
View Comments View Comments