Rally Scoring (Two Options)

Option 1
12.B.1.c When a player or team is at game point, both players or teams can only score a point on their serve (side out scoring, one server per side out).

Option 1 Alternate Wording
12.B.1.c When a player or team is at game point, both players or teams can only score a point on their serve (side out scoring, one server per side out). Exception: the serve on any subsequent tie after game point has been reached will be decided by rally scoring.

Option 2
12.B.1.b Point Scoring. A point is scored by the player or team that wins a rally.
12.B.1.c Scoring the Game-Winning Point. The game-winning point can be scored by either the serving or receiving player or team.
4.F.1 (Provisional Rule) Rally Scoring Option. A player or team scores a point for each rally won.
4.G.1 (Provisional Rule) Rally Scoring Option. A point is scored by winning the rally.

(from page 1)
For matches that use the provisional rally scoring option, a point is scored by the player or team that wins each rally.

12.B.1.b Point Scoring. A point is scored by the player or team that wins a rally, except as provided for in 12.B.1.c.
12.B.1.c Scoring the Game-Winning Point. The game-winning point can only be scored by the serving player or team. When a player or team is at game point and the opponent serves and loses the rally, it is a side out and no point is awarded.
4.F.1 (Provisional Rule) Rally Scoring Option. A player or team scores a point for each rally won except game point is scored only when serving.
4.G.1 (Provisional Rule) Rally Scoring Option. A point is scored by winning the rally except game point is scored only when serving.

(from page 1)
For matches that use the provisional rally scoring option, a point is scored by the player or team that wins each rally except game point can only be scored when serving.

Under the current rule, the player or team serving at game point is essentially switched to side out scoring while the player or team behind remains on rally scoring. Under this arrangement the player or team behind does not have to win any points on their serve to catch up. They can back into a tie game by trading side outs.

“Freezing” the player or team that is ahead at game point seems arbitrary as it gives credit (points) to the receiving player or team for successful play against the player or team that is ahead but gives no credit (points) to the player or team ahead for their successful play when they are receiving.

Section 1, page 1 of the rule book states, “All points played are treated the same regardless of their importance; the first point of the match is as important as match point.” If this is the case, why would we have different scoring rules for the first point and the last point of rally scoring?

Option 1 - It seems in the spirit of fair play that if the serving player or team reached game point by winning more rallies on their serve than their opponent, the team behind should also have to win rallies on their serve to catch up.

Option 2 - A team cannot reach game point by only winning rallies while receiving, they have done so by winning more rallies on their serve than their opponents. The receiving team has earned the right for a game point if they win the rally.

Team A, up 10-5, serving at game point – Team B wins rally, side out, point for B
Team B serving 6-10, Team A wins rally, side out, no points for A
Team A, up 10-6, serving at game point – Team B wins rally, side out, point for B
Team B serving 7-10, Team A wins rally, side out, no points for A

In scenarios like this, Team B, when receiving, is being rewarded with points for their play, but when Team A is receiving, they are not. Both teams should be equally rewarded or not rewarded for their play whether serving or receiving.
It is acknowledged that in pickleball, the receiving team has the advantage and that it is more difficult for the serving team to win a rally. If the serving team is ahead at game point, they have done so by winning more rallies on their serve than their opponents. The team behind should have to win rallies on their serve to catch up (option 1), or the receiving team should be allowed to win the game (option 2).