Pickleball Hooking

In pickleball, hooking refers to a form of cheating or unethical line calling, where a player deliberately calls a ball “out” when it was actually “in” to gain an unfair advantage. This can happen in casual or competitive play when players make their own line calls.

How Hooking Happens

• A player incorrectly calls an opponent’s shot out when it landed inside the line.

• This can be intentional (cheating) or unintentional (bad eyesight or bias).

• It often occurs in fast-paced games where close calls are hard to judge.

How to Prevent Hooking

• Always give your opponent the benefit of the doubt if unsure.

• If a call is questionable, ask your opponent for their perspective.

• In tournaments, use referees to make unbiased calls.

• Play with integrity and good sportsmanship.

Hooking can create tension between players, so it’s important to make fair and honest calls to keep the game enjoyable for everyone.