Rally Scoring winning point

2026 Rule:

14.A.2 Point Scoring. A point is scored by the singles player or doubles team that wins each rally.

15.C.2 (Provisional Rule) Rally Scoring Match Formats. The Tournament Director has the option to use rally scoring except for double-elimination doubles events, all 2026 USA Pickleball Golden Ticket events, and the 2026 USA Pickleball National Championship events. The tournament rally scoring options are:

15.C.2.a One game to 11 points, 15 points, or 21 points.

15.C.2.b Best 2-of-3 games to 11 points, 15 points, or 21 points.

15.C.2.c Best 3-of-5 games to 11 points, 15 points, or 21 points.

15.C.2.d For inclement weather considerations, the Tournament Director may approve game scoring to 7 points with an end change at 4 points in a single-game match or the tie-breaker game of a multiple-game match.

12.B.1.c. Scoring the Game-Winning Point. The game-winning point can be scored by either the serving player or team or the receiving player or team.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.

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.

Change the serving team must win on their serve to a point is awarded on every rally regardless of who serves.  This allows for the game point to be won on any rally. Many players see this as a freeze where the team that is one point from winning cannot win on rally that was served by their opponents.  This is a clear advantage to the team that is behind in score when one team is at game point.

While a team wins in side out scoring only on their serve this is an unfair advantage when the team that is behind in score may be awarded a point when they did not serve.

Team A is at 14 points in a game to 15.  Team B is serving with 13 points. Team B serves out. Team A does not receive a point as it would be game point.  Team A now serves out and Team B is awarded a point tying the game at 14.