10 Tricks To Keep Score In Pickleball After Epic Rallies!
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In this guide, we’ll learn the best memory tricks to track our scores in pickleball games even after being carried away in long rallies.
If you are a beginner pickleball player and trying to figure out how to keep score, it’s normal. It took me months on end to get the hang of it.
We may already know the pickleball rules for scoring, but when we’re deep in the zone during long rallies, we get excited to have lasted this long and lose track of the score. Talking about dementia….
Especially in doubles where servers have to switch sides, things get so confusing, sometimes, we all just want to play without keeping score.
With that in mind, I know the scoring system can be a bit overwhelming and, erm…weird. It’s becoming more like a memory game for me.
For starters, the score is not the most important thing, so before you get to it, check out the beginner’s guide and make sure you can hit the ball first.
Start with building your foundation, such as, how you hold your paddle, stance and footwork, and basic shots.
Scoring can come later, but that’s not to say that it can get so embarrassing especially in open play when you play with new friends and can’t remember the score to be more helpful.
So, in all the excitement, here are the best ideas we can use to keep score and remember it.
1. Use a Scorekeeper App
I have seen and used many types of scorekeeper apps available. Some devices even allow you to track the number of service errors, rally length, and other game metrics in real time.
We can use these apps on smartphones and smartwatches, such as the Apple iWatch and Samsung Watch.
This is one of the most accurate ways to keep score. It also saves time and reduces the risk of errors. We don’t have to worry about forgetting the score or calling out the wrong score, which can cause confusion and frustration for both teams.
2. Scorekeeping Watches
If you don’t have a smartwatch or prefer something separate, you can consider scorekeeping watches.
They are water-resistant and can be worn around your wrist like smartwatches, but they are used specifically meant for keeping score only.
I find that Scoreband serves this purpose well. It’s been created for tennis and golf initially, with the same functions that are proven useful for pickleball.
It is compact, light-weight and only need one touch to update the score.
Unlike using mobile apps, we won’t have to meddle with the iWatch while other players wait to play. There won’t be any interruption or delay due to swiping the screen to find the app.
4. Assign a Score Announcer
Another way is to assign a score announcer. Instead of assuming that someone will remember the score and call it out all the time, which may not happen.
This person can be either a player or a spectator, and their job is to keep track of the score and announce it after each point or side out.
Assigning a score announcer creates a condition of accountability and the assigned person knows he or she has that responsibility. This prevents confusion and makes sure everyone is on the same page.
It also allows players to focus on the game without having to worry about keeping track of the score.
The score announcer needs to communicate clearly and loudly so that everyone can hear the score, with no mumbling.
They should also make sure to announce the correct score for both teams, and whether it’s the first or second server for the serving team.
Everyone takes turns to keep score, switching after each game.
5. Visualize the Scoreboard
One of the easiest to remember the score is to visualize the scoreboard in our minds with mental imagery of the numbers.
We can also do this by using a mental image of the court to help us remember the score.
To visualize the scoreboard, imagine the scorecard with our team’s score on the top and the opponent’s score on the bottom.
6. Incorporate Score Into Serve Routine
Another way is to be aware of the score before we serve, and we should announce the score before every serve.
For example, you can remember that the server always serves from the right side of the court when the score is even, and from the left side of the court when the score is odd.
This can help you remember the score and ensure that you serve from the correct side of the court.
7. Server bands
Sometimes we have trouble remembering who the first server is, using wristbands or server bands can be a simple and effective way to keep track of the score and who’s serving, especially after long rallies.
I prefer using wristbands with a clear indicator of who the first server is. This way, I can quickly glance at my wrist and know which side of the court I need to be on. It is also a tournament solution.
We could use a red color wristband for the opposing team and green color for your own team. When I’m serving first, I wear the green band on my right wrist; if my teammate serves first, it goes on my left wrist.
For the opponents, one of them will wear the red band. If they are starting, the red band also goes on my right wrist.
Therefore, if neither the opponent with the red band nor I start serving (on the right side of the court), then those bands shift to our left wrists.
Moreover, whenever I’m positioned on the right side and I’m the one starting my side’s score will always be an even number.
Make this one of your gears to pack into your bag for your next game.
8. Establish Court Markers
Using court markers is a manual process, but can be quite fun. This involves placing a marker on the court every time a point is scored. We can use anything from a small piece of tape to a coin or a pebble.
I usually place the marker on the side of the court that corresponds to my score. For example, if I score a point while serving from the right side of the court
I will place the marker on the right side of the court. This helps me remember the score even if the game seems to drag on forever.
9. Beaded Scorekeeper Bracelets
I personally love using a scorekeeping bracelet because it’s easy to wear and doesn’t get in the way while playing.
The bracelet has small beads with numbers that you can slide along a string. It’s a great option if you prefer to keep track of the score yourself rather than relying on your partner or opponents.
This requires us to pause a while to update the bracelet, but it is as quick as updating an app or scorekeeping watch.
10. Employ Team Signals
One strategy that has worked well for me and my doubles partner is to employ team signals.
During the game, my partner and I use a set of hand signals to communicate with each other.
For example, if we are the serving team and win the first point, I will use a specific hand signal to let my partner know that I will be serving next.
This helps us avoid confusion and ensures that we are always on the same page.
We also use signals to keep track of the score.
If we are the serving team and the score is 3-2-1, my partner will use a specific hand signal to indicate that we have three points, the opposing team has two points, and I am the first server on our team.
11. Use Paddle Sticker
There are some players I know are using stickers on their paddles as signs to let them know who was the previous server.
It works like this, have a sticker be placed on the edge of one side of the paddle. If you were to hold the paddle like shaking hands with the handle, you would see the sticker only on one side, not the other.
When server one serves, hold the paddle such that the sticker is facing upwards and you can see it.
When server two is serving, flip the paddle such that the sticker is facing downwards or such that you can’t see the sticker.
12. Pickleball Scoreboard
Sometimes we don’t want to wear wristbands, or watches or use our brains to remember anything while playing. In this case, using a physical scoreboard can help.
This is as manual as using apps, but not a tech solution. This means it requires us to add more weight to our bags when traveling to and from the court. But it’s made to be compact and portable.
The good thing about using this is everyone can see the score at the same time, it’s clear, easy to use and weather-resistant.
Final Thoughts
These are just some of the ways we can use to “outsource” our brain work and end all confusion once and for all.
Have you got any tricks you use to help you keep score? Would love to hear them, comment below.
