{"article":{"id":"rally-scoring-vs-side-out-scoring","categoryId":"rules-regulations","categoryName":"Rules, Scoring & Regulations","index":5,"question":"How does rally scoring differ from traditional side-out scoring?","answer":"In traditional side-out scoring, only the serving team can earn points, whereas in rally scoring, a point is awarded on every single rally regardless of which team served.","answerDetail":"Traditional pickleball utilizes side-out scoring to 11 points (win by 2), requiring a team to hold the serve to increase their tally. This format features the famous three-number cadence (e.g. '4-3-2' for score, opponent score, server number). Major League Pickleball (MLP) pioneered commercial rally scoring to 21 or 25 points, where every mistake immediately increments the opponent's score. When a rally is won by the receiving team, they earn a point and the serve 'sides out'. To ensure drama and prevent luck from ending games, MLP implements a 'freeze' at point 20 (or 24), where the leading team must score the final point on their own serve under traditional side-out rules.","intentTags":["rally-scoring","side-out","mlp","scoring-formats"],"searchKeywords":["rally scoring vs side out","mlp freeze rule","pickleball points","how to keep score"],"facilityTags":["tournament-court"],"serviceTags":["mlp","leagues"],"environmentTags":["indoor","outdoor"],"structured":{"standardGame":"11 points (win by 2)","rallyFormat":"21 or 25 points","freezePoint":"Game point must be served"},"lastVerified":"2026-09-20","canonicalUrl":"https://dink-digest.com/knowledge/rally-scoring-vs-side-out-scoring"},"discovery":{"canonicalUrl":"https://dink-digest.com/knowledge/rally-scoring-vs-side-out-scoring","hubUrl":"https://dink-digest.com/knowledge","categoryArticlesUrl":"https://dink-digest.com/api/knowledge?category=rules-regulations"}}