Pickleball UnionPickleball Union
  • Pro Community
  • News
    • Recent Posts
    • Interviews
  • 101
    • Pickleball 101
    • Where To Play
    • Rating Quiz
  • Training
    • All Training Posts
    • Injury Prevention & Recovery
    • Pickleball Ratings
    • Strategic Stretching for Pickleball
  • Gear
    • All Reviews & Guides
    • Beginner Paddles
    • Intermediate Paddles
    • Advanced Paddles
    • Aesthetic Paddles
    • Pickleball Nets
    • Pickleball Eyewear
    • Pickleball Machines
  • Newsletter

Staying in the pickleball loop just got easier

Get the 5-minute newsletter over 40,000+ of your pickleball friends read every week.

By subscribing you agree to the Pickleball Union's Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions
Instagram YouTube TikTok Facebook X (Twitter)
Pickleball UnionPickleball Union
  • Pro Community
  • News
    • Recent Posts
    • Interviews
  • 101
    • Pickleball 101
    • Where To Play
    • Rating Quiz
  • Training
    • All Training Posts
    • Injury Prevention & Recovery
    • Pickleball Ratings
    • Strategic Stretching for Pickleball
  • Gear
    • All Reviews & Guides
    • Beginner Paddles
    • Intermediate Paddles
    • Advanced Paddles
    • Aesthetic Paddles
    • Pickleball Nets
    • Pickleball Eyewear
    • Pickleball Machines
  • Newsletter
Instagram TikTok YouTube Facebook X (Twitter)
Pickleball UnionPickleball Union
Home»Pickleball News»USA Pickleball Makes Mid-Year Rulebook Changes

USA Pickleball Makes Mid-Year Rulebook Changes

Adam HowarthBy Adam Howarth08/19/2023Updated:09/03/20237 Mins Read
Image courtesy of usapickleball.org
Image courtesy of usapickleball.org
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest

USA Pickleball wants to keep the rules of the game easy to follow at all levels. The group’s directors recently OK’d some rule tweaks recommended by their Rules Committee. These changes take effect right away for pro and amateur players. 

Improvement And Consistency

There are a few reasons to put these revisions in place now rather than wait until 2024. Making them effective immediately will improve how the rest of this year’s amateur tournaments are played. It also makes the official rules the same for both amateur and pro matches.

Below is the updated online rulebook with the new changes. There are also instructions for editing the printed 2023 rulebook. And we’ve included a quick Q&A to explain the new rules.

Image courtesy of USA Pickleball
Image courtesy of USA Pickleball

The main goals are to keep things straightforward for everyone playing and make sure the rules are consistent across different skill levels and matches. These revisions help pickleball stay accessible and enjoyable as the game continues evolving.

The following are the mid-year rule revisions to the Rulebook approved by the Board, listed in the recommended format:

Rule 4.B

Add new rules: 

4.B.9. The referee will confirm and correct, if necessary, that all players are in the correct position and the correct server has the ball before calling the score.

4.B.9.a. If the referee or a player stops a rally in progress to correctly identify a player/position error, the rally shall be replayed. If a player stops a rally and incorrectly identifies a player/position error, it is a fault on the player who stopped the rally. 

If the referee stops a rally in progress and incorrectly identifies a player/position error, the rally shall be replayed.

4.B.9.b. If a player/position error is identified after the rally has played out, the rally shall stand.

Delete existing rule: 

4.B.9 When an incorrect player serves or receives, or a player serves from an incorrect position, the referee will immediately stop play and identify the fault(s).

Delete existing rule:

4.B.10: Incorrect Player or Position. When an incorrect server or player position is discovered after a rally, game, or match has ended, the offending team can be faulted until the next serve occurs or prior to the scoresheet being returned to the tournament operation’s desk.

Image courtesy of USA Pickleball
Image courtesy of USA Pickleball

A point scored during the rally by the offending team will not count. Any previous points scored by the incorrect server or with players in the incorrect positions will stand.

After a match is completed, an incorrect player or position error may not be corrected after the scoresheet has been returned to tournament operations personnel.

Rule 4.M

Delete existing rule:

4.M.1. The server serves from the incorrect serving area.

Delete existing rule:

4.M.2. The incorrect player serves the ball.

Rule 4.N

Delete existing rule:

4.N.1. The incorrect player returns the serve.

Rule 8.E

Revise existing rule:

8.E. Other than non-volley zone violations, a fault may only be committed when the ball is live. The penalty for a fault (other than non-volley zone faults) is normally enforced the moment it is identified (e.g., incorrect player/position, distractions, double bounces, etc.) but may also be enforced any time before the next serve occurs.

The USA Pickleball Board of Directors recently approved a recommendation from the USA Pickleball Rules Committee for several rule changes to take effect for both professional and amateur players immediately.

Find more information on our website: https://t.co/2QVhyO5bg9

— USA Pickleball (@USAPickleball) August 16, 2023

Rule 12.C

Add new rule (renumber subsequent rules):

12.C.2. (Pro and Senior Pro Player Brackets) Single Elimination Without Consolation: The first player/team to score the match-winning point by at least a two-point margin wins.  The final two players/teams in the winner’s bracket play for the gold/first-place and silver/second-place medals.  The determination of the final standings of the remaining players/teams is left to the discretion of tournament officials.

Existing 12.C.2 becomes 12.C.3, 12.C.3 and its subsections become 12.C.4, 12.C.4 becomes 12.C.5, 12.C.5 becomes 12.C.6.

Rule 12.G

Revise existing rule:

12.G.Two-Match Minimum. In all USA PICKLEBALL-sanctioned tournaments, each entrant shall be entitled to participate in a minimum of two scheduled matches per event entered. Exception: Single Elimination Without Consolation events guarantee only 1 match per event.

Rule 13.G

Revise existing rule:

13.G.3.c. If a referee issues a technical foul, one point shall be removed from the score of the offending player/team unless their score is zero, in which case a point shall be added to the score of the opposing side.

After the point is removed or awarded, the player or team losing or awarded the point must move on their own to the correct position(s) that reflects their score.

Updating the Pickleball Rulebook

The online pickleball rulebook has been updated with recent changes. You can find the latest version here.

For those with a printed 2023 rulebook, you’ll need to make the changes yourself. Here’s what to do:

  1. Insert the additions, revisions, and deletions where they occur in the Rulebook.
  2. New rules: Insert an instruction line in italics “Add new rule:” Insert the new rule on a new line and show the text underlined.
  3. Deleted rules: Insert an instruction line in italics “Delete existing rule:” On a new line show the existing rule struck out.
  4. Revised rules: Insert an instruction line in italics “Revise existing rule:” On a new line show the revisions to the existing text using legislative format.

A Brief Q&A On The Rule Changes 

Q: Why are these new rules being implemented? 

A: USA Pickleball thinks points should be scored by winning a rally, not because of rule violations. It’s better for the game and pacing if players win points by making good shots, not on technicalities.

Q: Have mid-year rule changes been implemented in the past? 

A: USA Pickleball has made mid-year rule changes before. As the main organization overseeing pickleball nationwide, they try to do what’s best for the millions of players. The rule tweaks aim to improve the game for everyone.

Q: What about the argument that referees are coaching the players when they place them in the correct position?  

A: It’s pretty much the same whether a player asks “Am I the right server?” or the ref (or other player) simply points out the wrong positions.

Players often ask refs if they’re standing in the right spot or serving correctly. This slows things down since the ref has to stop, come over, and answer before calling the score. Pointing out errors upfront avoids all that back and forth.

This change helps players who have trouble with positioning. It also prevents negative situations if someone makes an accidental mistake. Overall it will make things run much more smoothly.

Q: How will these rule changes affect the spectator experience of the pro sport? 

A: These rules will improve streaming and TV broadcasts, making pickleball more exciting to watch. As the sport gains fans, constant positioning questions take away from the action.

Networks suggested fixing this issue as delays can throw off match timing, commercials, and sponsorships. Cleaning things up benefits viewers and the sport’s growth.

Q: How does this affect referees and the way they officiate the game?

A: A main concern for USA Pickleball refs is making sure players feel matches are fair, win or lose. The organization believes these new rules will lead to more positive experiences overall.

smart mag child\assets\img\YouTube Thumbnail Featured Image.jpg

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

Rule Change USA Pickleball
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn
Previous Article“#1 Tennis Influencer” Rachel Stuhlmann Sends A Blunt Message To Pickleball Noise Complainers
Next Article Downtown Tucson To Get Fabulous New Pickleball Facility
Adam Howarth

When I first started writing about pickleball, I hadn't appreciated the huge range of related features it encompasses: from building communities and players fighting against court closures to overcoming health challenges and raising money for charity, it's a whole new world! I love the stories about the smaller towns from the farthest-flung corners of the U.S. and how those residents have adopted pickleball to create friendships and community spirit.

Improve your game and stay connected to the sport you love.
Get the 5-minute newsletter over 40,000+ pickleball fanatics swear by.
By subscribing you agree to the Pickleball Union's Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions
profile

"Y'all have one of the best newsletters in the game!"
- Jack Munro

image
profile

"Y'all have one of the best newsletters in the game!" - Jack Munro

Related Posts

UTR SPORTS ANNOUNCES EXPANDED USA PICKLEBALL GOLDEN TICKET SCHEDULE

UTR Sports Announces Expanded Golden Ticket Schedule

UTR Sports, USA Pickleball, APP Partnering for Pickleball’s Future

UTR Sports, USA Pickleball, APP: Partnering for Pickleball’s Future

The Controversy of Playing Rec Play Pickleball with Banned Paddles

Are banned paddles in rec play fair game or foul play?

Staying in the pickleball loop just got easier

Get the 5-minute newsletter over 40,000+ of your pickleball friends read every week.

By subscribing you agree to the Pickleball Union's Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

Access more inside Pickleball Union Pro

Join over 40,000+ pickleball fanatics!
Tips, drills, and strategies turning 3.0's into 4.0's

Unsubscribe at any time.

YouTube TikTok Instagram Facebook X (Twitter)
  • Pro Community
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Write For Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
© 2025 Pickleball Union
A Legion Media brand - powered by Digital Authority Group
N28W23000 Roundy Dr.
Pewaukee, WI 53072

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.