Rally Scoring is used for Club Events
In rally scoring, players do not move from their original positions, i.e. if you start in the right-hand service box, you remain in the right-hand service box throughout the entire game. However, players may choose to change service boxes (left-hand/right-hand) at a “time out” or a “side change” (mid-game).
The team that serves first starts the game. The player in the right-hand service box serves first (serving crosscourt as in traditional scoring).
If the serving team wins the rally, they score a point and continue to serve. However, the partner in the left-hand service box will serve (remember, the players will stay on their respective sides of the court). The serve alternates between the players on the left-hand and right-hand sides of the court (without the players changing positions) until they lose a rally.
If the serving team loses the rally, the receiving team wins a point and the receiving team wins the serve. (NOTE, there is no second server. The score will only be two numbers, the serving team’s score and the receiving team’s score.)
Which player will serve on a team is determined by the score of the serving team. If the score is even, then the player on the right-hand side of the court will serve; if the score is odd, then the player on the left-hand side of the court will serve. (EXAMPLE, if the score is 0-0, and the receiving team wins the rally, then the receiving team will win a point and the right to serve. The score will now be 1-0, so the player on the left-side of the receiving team will serve next.)
Games are played to a score of 15. Teams may change sides of the court with the opponent when a team reaches 8 points; teams may also switch service boxes with their partner at this time as well.
Once one team reaches 14 points, (one point from winning the game), the team with 14 points can only score going forward on their own serve. This is called being “frozen” at 14 points or the “freeze”. When the opposing team reaches 14 points, the same rule applies – they can only score the winning point on their serve.
The first team to score 15 points wins (winning by 1 point achieved on their serve only).
RE-CAP: Players remain in their respective service boxes (the left-hand side and the right-hand side) for the entire game. Players may choose to change service boxes (left-hand/right-hand) at a “time out” or a “side change” (mid-game).
A point is scored on every rally, regardless of who has served (except the final point, which may only be won when serving). Whichever team wins the rally, gains a point. If the serving team wins the point, then the players alternate serves until they lose a rally/point. The serve then goes to the receiving team, and the player that serves will be based on the serving team’s score. The final point may only be scored on the serve. The first team to 15 points wins (winning by 1 point during drop-in).
*In tournament play or non-GPC play, matches are won by two points.