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.
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.
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.
— USA Pickleball (@USAPickleball) August 16, 2023
Find more information on our website: https://t.co/2QVhyO5bg9
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:
- Insert the additions, revisions, and deletions where they occur in the Rulebook.
- New rules: Insert an instruction line in italics “Add new rule:” Insert the new rule on a new line and show the text underlined.
- Deleted rules: Insert an instruction line in italics “Delete existing rule:” On a new line show the existing rule struck out.
- 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.
